Confessions of an Info Marketing Specialist

Content Exchange in Info Marketer

2009-08-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers:

The road to success in any job these days is pretty long and hard. Just being educated or moderately experienced isn’t good enough – you have to often juggle different projects and sometimes you don’t get paid really well.

But let’s say things are looking up. You are now the highly experienced info marketer. Your info products are getting to people on a regular basis and as such the money is coming in on a regular basis. Things seem to have developed into that long sought after but highly devious phenomenon known as “routine”.

You take a sigh of relief. And the some change happens again in the form of a message that reads:

“…we would like to offer you a joint partnership with our organization through an exchange of information content…”

At first this seems like the best thing ever: an offer for you to join another organization based on their respect for your information creation skills in order to produce more profits for the two of you mutually.

Actually, it probably is one of the best things to ever happen to your business. Content exchange is a great way for you to broaden your professional horizons. You can create a good partnership with another company, get more exposure of your work, and thus get more clients to pay for your stuff.

But like any business deal in information marketing, content exchange should not be approached without some caution. By just exercising the slightest bit of philosophy, you can ensure that both the exchange and the partnership succeed to get both parties success they want.

It’s best to get on the Internet and/or the phone with the other party as soon as possible to work out the details of the content exchange. To be safe, it doesn’t hurt to do it up in writing in the form of a contract with both parties signing the agreement. Include how long the deal is tentatively going to last, how much content you are going to provide, and what compensation both parties should receive.
*NB: A lot of content exchanges are done for free. Two parties exchange content and then work out a percentage to pay the other person once profits are incurred from the exchange. Make sure you go over this with your partner and work out how much each person should get ahead of time.

Next, decide what content you are going to se in the exchange itself. It’s usually best to offer the stuff that is your best in terms of previous customer success or, at the very least, the stuff that you think represents both yourself and your business. As well, offer some introductory content to your partner’s website, introducing yourself to their client-base and explain your information goals for the future. Trademark your stuff with those little © or ™ symbols, with the name of your company and the year of the content’s publication beside it.

With the above in mind, do the same for your partner. Take their best trademarked content, post it on your website or in your mailings, with both an Internet link and mailing address to where they can be reached. It’s only good business that you extend the same courtesies to your partner that they would to you in this partnership.

Over time, monitor the effects of the content exchange. Ask yourself: are more people coming to check out my website? Have sales gone up? Is my partner seeing more business? What is working and what can be improved? These simple inquiries should only be done after a few months when some time has passed and there are figures to evaluate.

In today’s worldwide electronic market, content exchange can be the most potent asset to your info marketing business. On the Internet, any kind of exposure to your business is essential for its success. When a good content exchange comes along, work out the details with your partner, and then sit back and watch your success blossom!

It's that simple. And in info marketing, simplicity is key.

Come visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily.

Take care,

J.

2009-08-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

$$$$$$$$$$$.....

So…you’ve done the work and it’s been hard. The content, the processing, the distribution, everything. Now it’s time for your clients to ante up and deliver what’s coming to you.

El dinero…the green…those beautiful wads…whatever you call it, it’s still the same: money.

Say what you want about money, it’s always nice to get paid for something that you’ve really earned. Whether it was cleaning up that Amazon-jungle grade backyard in elementary school for five dollars an hour or closing a big sale for enough to make a down payment on a house, it’s all the same. You’ve been working to earn a living and now you can collect the fruits of your labors.

Getting paid in information marketing is a great feeling and something you can hang your mental hat on as accomplishment. I’ve written before about collecting payments and customers who may or may not be loyal in honouring their fees, so I will not dwell on such negative subject matter in this message. Instead, I will focus on the process of getting paid itself.

Payment should be an easy process, but like a lot of things these days, it’s changing. But this can be good if you are ready to adapt to some of the changes or just run with some of the older methods. Either is usually acceptable.

Here are some things to be prepared for in getting paid in info marketing:

--Do up an invoice: For tax and client receipt reasons, you should always do up an invoice. It should be a neat and well quantified chart which includes your client’s name, address, their account number with you, your contact info, and a chart showing what you provided them, a description of the service itself plus the fee you are charging. I would advise a digital program to do this on, as it can easily make your invoice look professional and easy to read. Personally, I use Microsoft Excel as I find it an easy program to create all the necessary columns and rows for this information. If you find another – i.e. the chart drawing mechanism on Microsoft Word – by all means use it.

--Be exact and professional: Nobody likes being charged for something they never bought. It’s important that you include only the necessary information when billing your clients and only that information. If you charge tax, do so, but only if you have the right credentials. When messaging your client, be polite and courteous but avoid small talk. Stick to the professional matters at hand no matter how close you are with them.

--Offer different methods of payment: Like I mentioned earlier, payment methods are changing. For a freelance web content job I did a year ago, I was paid online via Paypal. Back in my in-house publishing days, I did direct deposit through the publisher’s accounting department. Other times I have gotten an old fashioned paper pay check. Let’s be honest: it really doesn’t matter how to get paid, as long as it comes through. Find the best method for yourself and don’t be afraid to try the new online money transfers. I have found them to be very safe and secure.

--Keep all of your payment records: I have seen friends with their own business either misplace or discard their payment receipts. Do not do this EVER. Get in the habit of saving your receipts in a well organized binder or file folder. You will need them come tax time to give detail of your earnings and what you will have to pay the government.

An old colleague just got his first payment from a client for doing some customized wordworking, his life’s love and now profession. I’ve never seen him so happy. He knew he earned it and celebrated in style by taking his girlfriend out for a very nice night on the town. As an information marketer, you know you are entitled to such things too. Provided you are as professional in your payment collection as you are in your work, you will always bear that happy feeling of accomplishment when you get the cash you deserve.

Good luck!

Come visit us at the E-Wealth Daily, www.ewealthdaily.com.

Take care,

Accessing Digital Archives for Info Marketing

2009-08-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

I got an e-mail from an info marketing buddy over the weekend. He’s really good at what he does and prides himself on going the extra length for his customers in providing them with the information they need.

He was really upset at his local library. For a long time, he had been using their stacks of old auto repair manuals for information in his weekly newsletters. But now things had changed.

“I couldn’t get at them this week,” he wrote. “They’re going digital with them.”

My friend is a bit older and not particularly savvy with computers. Luckily I had some advice for him that I can now share with you too. No doubt you are going to have to get some hard-to-find info at some point that is not available any other place but in a digital file someplace.

I bring some advice on digital formats from my past experience in both academic and professional areas. A few years back during my last year at school I had a job at the continuing education office digitizing old meeting minutes and records for the continuing education office. Later, I helped a local journalist oversee some digitizing of old 16 mm hockey game films. In both areas, I got to see large bodies of word and image content being compressed into small, portable, and long lasting files.

Why are people doing this? Simply because technology is allowing people to keep everything they create. It’s cheap, easy to store, and for many, good for the environment in not wasting resources. Now, likely for some of you, this is a whole new ball game as you haven’t ventured into these odd realms as I have. But that’s okay. Here’s how you can go about accessing those digital files for your info marketing business:

--Quiz your library staff: My bud, whose story I mentioned above, wound up going back to his library and the librarian was only too happy to tell him about their new digital archive. They were happy to help him access it and the only drawback being had to go to a bigger branch that is a twenty minute drive from his place. Quiz your library staff too. They are always in the loop about new developments in their materials and are usually pretty good about setting you on the right path as well.

--Check out universities, museums, and colleges: Big, well-funded post secondary and historical institutions are usually on the cusp of new technological developments, especially when it comes to the digital archiving of information materials. They often keep old newspapers on microfilm, old film reels on cassette, etc. Go check them out and you will be overjoyed at the amount of publically limited info you can now have access to. You might have to pay for a membership or to photocopy info that cannot be removed overnight, but believe me when I say it will be worth it.

--Check the web: One great thing about the Internet is that it has made a lot of things easily accessible without any charge. A lot of people are kind enough to post hard-to-get info online and you’d be surprised on what you can access – tech manuals, out-of-print material, tips and advice blogs, etc. – in just a basic organic search. Save yourself some cash and traveling time by doing thorough Internet searches for the specific information you require. Go through as many pages as possible and bookmark pages that are repeatedly helpful.

--Search out private collections and archives: I’m leery about this last bit of advice but I think it should be mentioned. Some people have invested their wealth in keeping private libraries and collections that, for a fee or favor, you can access for your own info marketing business. The only reservations I have about these institutions are how much they charge and how legitimate some of them are i.e. where they got their materials. But if you come across one in your searches, by all means check them out.

If you ever go reading about cultural landmarks that have been lost over time, it’s kind of sad. Often there was no way to preserve them and people almost had to get rid of them. Now that digital formats are available, you almost never have to waste anything that might be significant to your life and livelihood. Search out the forums you need for your information marketing career and use them to help your business flourish.

Come visit us at www.ewealthdaily.com for more assistance.

Good luck,

James Burt

Making the Pitch as an Information Marketer

2009-08-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

It's weird when you think about an idea or how someone else got inspired to do something.Ever walk down the street and see a building with really amazing architecture and wonder it was constructed? Wonder how your favourite actor seems to do whatever he or she does on the screen or stage so seamlessly? Ponder over some interesting scientific breakthrough?

In a world of man made creations, most of these things start with will power – that desire in people to want to do something great and rise to an amazing achievement.

Then comes the next inevitable question: “How much…?”

Like it or not, money matters. Whether trying to get a bridge built or networking to finance a movie production, costs are often the determining factor. Most people look at this with trepidation and it can only be assumed that some great potential dreams were not realized in the past because people let the dollars or lack thereof scare them away.

As an info marketer, don’t let this happen to you. If you’ve reached a point where you think your business deserves to get bigger but you lack the capital, take the plunge and seek out other funding sources.

How do you do this? You make the pitch.

In Hollywood, pitches are heard almost hourly. On Wall Street, I would imagine the frequency of pitching to be the same if not more. Some deals are made and many, many are not. In most cases, those who didn’t get their deal brokered suffered from a lack of preparation in getting ready for their pitch. The pitch is a process and there is a technique to it.

Here are some tips to go about pitching:

--Put together a portfolio or package: Pitching is a lot like job hunting. You have to make yourself look appealing to someone in order for them to make an investment in you. Do you have published information work? A trusted client list? A good resume with years of work experience? That’s all valuable coin in the pitching process. Put together a neat portfolio of your work and work history to bring to a pitch session where a potential investor can see what you have to offer first hand and the body of work you have to back it up.
* NOTE: This is where pictures really do speak louder than words. Whatever graphic material you may have, collect it together in a big a presentable portfolio to be shown at a moment’s notice.

--Know exactly what you want: Those throughout history who were most notable knew what they wanted and stopped at nothing to achieve it. Whether it was Madonna or Mao Zedong, these people knew what they wanted and worked hard to achieve their goals. Be the same. Outline your mission in your pitch and exactly how you intend to go about achieving your goals.

--Be presentable and polite: Like hunting for a job, pitching requires good etiquette on your part. Dress like a professional and use polite, simple language when meeting with a prospective investor. Be ready to answer questions and defend any arguments in a professional manner that you might encounter.

--Don’t stop till you get it: Rejection is a part of life. I don’t much care for it myself, be it from a girlfriend, investor, or whomever. But you cannot become dejected because one person did not like what you had to offer. Use any rejection matter you encounter as a learning ground for the next pitching session. You have to work to get what you want and it might take some trial and error along the way to do so.

Without struggle or desire, life is kind of meaningless. No one can shame someone who wants to go the extra step to realize dreams. Pitching for investment in information marketing is one way to realize dreams. Get out there and do the work you need to do in order to satisfy that need to succeed that dwells within you.

For more information, visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily website.

Take care,

J.

Markups and Info Marketing

2009-08-05T05:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

So, you think you are pretty smart? You know information right?

Question for you: What is HTML?

What? You don’t know? You live in the info age and you don’t know what HTML is…? Good grief!

I’m joking, and I now I will stop putting you down.

HTML is Hypertext Markup Language and is the code that is used for any sort of online published material, including websites, content, and graphic material. In more simple terms, it’s that tagging system with those odd and tags that make your content look the way it does online. To be absolutely truthful, I hadn’t much a clue as to it until I had to teach it to a former student who as taking a college course in computers. I had been using the Internet for seven years and had no clue as to what it was. I took the course material home and learned as much as I could on the fly to teach my student. It was a useful thing to learn and something I had to apply when I was working in the publishing field later on.

HTML is not the only markup available to people creating web material. More advanced ones like XML and XSL are now becoming the industry standard for people creating professional website material. With the proliferation of advanced graphic material and high tech content being put on the Internet, no doubt some of the older markups will come obsolete and Internet publishers will have to keep update with the changes.

Now I know what you are thinking: “Great Jimmy. But why should you care about these markups?”

Well, being an info marketer, markups can be useful to you, especially if you are going to build a website or post content online. Not only can you customize your websites the way you want, you will save bundles of cash in not having to hire a website designer to do it for you.

Here’s how you can utilize mark-ups in information marketing:

--Learn the basics: Most libraries have a good chunk of books on HTML and other markups. The Internet has loads of info too. Take some time at night or over the weekend to learn the basics of markup tagging. This help you understand what the language is and it can be learned very quick – I can attest to that!

--Create your own web pages: Follow the tagging steps and create your own web pages in Notepad, Microsoft Word, or a web editing program like Dream Weaver. It might be good to start with a basic system like HTML before using more advanced ones like XML. Be patient with this and be ready to use trial and error if you are unsure how you want your content to look online.

--Test them out online: Take your pages to your online publisher and/or hosting system and see how they look online. Most web publishers will let you see how they look first before making your site live so you can make the appropriate changes.

--Update regularly: When you update your website content, take the time to update the tagging as well. This will help you give your website a fresh look and practice your knowledge of whatever markup you are using.

Working with markups is a fun way to use your writing and design skills to help make your online material look appealing to your client base. You can become more Internet savvy and maintain your information skills all at the same time. Go and take advantage of it!

Take care and come visit us here at E-Wealth Daily.

Best,

The Info Marketer Tech Pro

2009-08-04T03:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Hope your summer is going well. I just spent the long weekend here in the Great White North on various patios relaxing with friends over good drinks.

Despite the rainy weather of late, I was happy to get out this past weekend with a good friend of mine for our annual burger lunch. There is a special restaurant we like to go to once a year in July and eat the special three patties, triple cheese, bacon, and fried egg topped burger while sitting in seats taken from old mini vans. Trust me: any restaurant lover should visit this place at least once in order to sample its truly well made and generously portioned food in a very unpretentious atmosphere.

In order to work up an appetite for our meal, my bud and I usually walk the whole twenty city blocks to the restaurant’s front door. As we headed off, I happened to look up and saw the sky going grey.

“Is it going to rain again?”

My friend reached into his pocket and said:

“Lemme check.”

He pulled out the very latest edition of the Blackberry mobile device. Within two seconds he had the weather forecast on the screen, complete with the whole weekend forecast. It said it was going to rain, so we got going as quickly as possible,

I’ve never pretended to be tech savvy. I was always late to adapting to cell phones, the Internet, web page markup, etc. But a lot of people like my friend are anything but. They know all the ins and outs of these devices and are able to give long explanations of them at a moment’s notice.

If you are one of these, count yourself lucky. If you are one of these and an information marketer, count yourself even luckier.

Creating information products about technical information is a very lucrative avenue for the information marketer. A lot of people are strapped with these new products – Blackberries, laptops, et al. – for personal or business reasons and are clueless on how to use them. You creating guides or how-to manuals are a great way for them to understand new technology while creating income for yourself.

If you decide you want to create technical based information products here are some tips:

--Keep your writing simple: Remember how oddly phrased and convoluted stereo or computer instructions used to be? Avoid any kind of jargon and big words when writing your products. Keep directions simple and only use correct terminology for the product components.

--Be thorough: Try and go through all the functions of whatever it is you are writing about. Think about all of the technology’s applications and how they are accessed by the consumer.

--Give trouble-shooting tips: It’s also a good idea to think about what could go wrong with your piece of technology. No doubt you are not the only one who has encountered viruses, shut downs, and programs fizzling out. Try and create content that provides advice for any foreseeable problem. Your clients will be happy to pay for this sort of extra advice.

--Use graphics: When I wrote a program guide for a previous employer, I was advised to use screen captures and graphics of the program. This was a good tip and my manual now had visual aids to help guide the reader along. Do the same. Incorporate graphic files into your content or at the publication stage to help give reference for what you are writing about.

Being a technical ace is an asset in just about every facet of modern life. Take advantage of what you know of new gadgets and gizmos and apply it to information marketing. Especially for guys like me who will pay for this sort of information, it will be well worth it for you in the end.

For more information, visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily.

Good luck and take care,

James B.

The Information Marketer Technical Ace

2009-07-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Despite the rainy weather of late, I was happy to get out this past weekend with a good friend of mine for our annual burger lunch. There is a special restaurant we like to go to once a year in July and eat the special three patties, triple cheese, bacon, and fried egg topped burger while sitting in seats taken from old mini vans. Trust me: any restaurant lover should visit this place at least once in order to sample its truly well made and generously portioned food in a very unpretentious atmosphere.

In order to work up an appetite for our meal, my bud and I usually walk the whole twenty city blocks to the restaurant’s front door. As we headed off, I happened to look up and saw the sky going grey.

“Is it going to rain again?”

My friend reached into his pocket and said:

“Lemme check.”

He pulled out the very latest edition of the Blackberry mobile device. Within two seconds he had the weather forecast on the screen, complete with the whole weekend forecast. It said it was going to rain, so we got going as quickly as possible,

I’ve never pretended to be tech savvy. I was always late to adapting to cell phones, the Internet, web page markup, etc. But a lot of people like my friend are anything but. They know all the ins and outs of these devices and are able to give long explanations of them at a moment’s notice.

If you are one of these, count yourself lucky. If you are one of these and an information marketer, count yourself even luckier.

Creating information products about technical information is a very lucrative avenue for the information marketer. A lot of people are strapped with these new products – Blackberries, laptops, et al. – for personal or business reasons and are clueless on how to use them. You creating guides or how-to manuals are a great way for them to understand new technology while creating income for yourself.

If you decide you want to create technical based information products here are some tips:

--Keep your writing simple: Remember how oddly phrased and convoluted stereo or computer instructions used to be? Avoid any kind of jargon and big words when writing your products. Keep directions simple and only use correct terminology for the product components.

--Be thorough: Try and go through all the functions of whatever it is you are writing about. Think about all of the technology’s applications and how they are accessed by the consumer.

--Give trouble-shooting tips: It’s also a good idea to think about what could go wrong with your piece of technology. No doubt you are not the only one who has encountered viruses, shut downs, and programs fizzling out. Try and create content that provides advice for any foreseeable problem. Your clients will be happy to pay for this sort of extra advice.

--Use graphics: When I wrote a program guide for a previous employer, I was advised to use screen captures and graphics of the program. This was a good tip and my manual now had visual aids to help guide the reader along. Do the same. Incorporate graphic files into your content or at the publication stage to help give reference for what you are writing about.

Being a technical ace is an asset in just about every facet of modern life. Take advantage of what you know of new gadgets and gizmos and apply it to information marketing. Especially for guys like me who will pay for this sort of information, it will be well worth it for you in the end.

For more information, visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily.

Take care,

J.

Volunteering and Information Marketing

2009-07-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

It's summer. It's rainy. I am trying to find a good patio and yet even getting to one is a job in itself. Anybody want to help me...?

Helping...now there's a topic...

So I have to ask…how do you feel about working for free? Doesn’t it make you feel great inside that you are helping others by donating your valuable time and energy to assisting in the success of their endeavors? And don’t you just yearn for the next occasion that you can help them again?
I know what you are thinking: “Whatever, bud. Thanks for coming out and good luck trying to your bills. You must live at home…!”

All jokes aside, I have wanted to write about volunteering for a while now but forgot about it until I spoke with my cousin’s wife at a recent family barbeque. She’s an English grad and, at one time, an aspiring poet. Between the times of her 1998 graduation from university to her marriage to my cousin in 2004, she worked like crazy to write and get her stuff published, which she periodically did. After that though, she became dejected, decided to have a family, and is now a stay-at-home mom. She still hasn’t given up her aspirations though and is always got a pad handy for when her children are asleep or she has a spare moment.

I asked her if there was anything she regretted from that period in her life. Her reply was: “I think I should have focused more on the writing itself and getting it out to magazines than helping out with festivals and events. I really went into volunteer overkill and it didn’t come to much.”

This is a term to note as an information marketer: volunteer overkill. It’s something a lot of people quite innocently fall into and can lead to failures of business. It starts with you wanting to get ahead and offering your services for free. Your buddy needs info content for his website or a connection needs a newsletter done up for his astrology mail-out. You gleefully do it to see your name in print and something of your own creation published. And you do it for absolutely no financial compensation.

But the problem arises when you do it again. And again. And again. People take advantage of your talent and while you build a portfolio of work, your telephone bills and meal tickets are left outstanding. This is volunteer overkill and it can be dangerous to the survival of your business.

To clarify, I am certainly not saying that you should forego volunteering altogether, especially when starting out. You have to build up a portfolio of work and that takes time. But, like any other activity in info marketing, exercising some philosophy beforehand is essential. Make sure you see what you are writing content for. Ask yourself if what you are writing for free is going to be a useful assignment in creating your portfolio and pertinent to the type of information you will be continually writing about. If you want to be an automotive information marketer, don’t waste time creating free content for a tattooing website. As well, quiz the prospective client. Ask them if there will be any paid opportunities in the future for your services. If they seem professional, go ahead and form a partnership with them. If they seem flimsy or unsure, look elsewhere.

As well, consider the fact that once you get established, you can always volunteer your services later on or mentor an up-and-coming information marketer. By then, you will be a well seasoned pro and can help those out who are just starting out or provide content to a rookie business. Your contribution to either party with be greatly appreciated and you can walk away knowing you did a good deed while not sacrificing anything for yourself.

Like any business, starting out in information marketing can be tough. There is no shame in wanting to get ahead, to work hard, and to be ready to take a few knocks in the process, including receiving no pay. Helping others for free can be useful, but don’t forget about your own goals and aspirations. Always serve your best professional judgment and look to help others when you can along the way. This route will ensure your success and contribute to others’ success at the same time.

For more information, visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily.

Take care,

J.

The Information Marketer's Public Persona

2009-07-20T04:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Information Marketers:

How's your hair? Your suit? Ever tell you that people will like you better if you wear a certain cologne or perfume...? I know. It can be irritating.

Nobody can control how other people will perceive them. Imagine you are at a party and someone comes up to you and says: “Hi. You don’t know who I am but I’m a very respectable and honorable person.” That’s quite a line, and a very unlikely one. But even if you were addressed by it, it wouldn’t matter. It is you and the other guests in the room who will be the judge if this person is honorable and respectable. He can only show you that he is in fact what he is or be proven a liar.

It’s human nature to want to be liked, respected, and seen with dignity by the public at large. Some people, no matter their shape and appearance, have little interest in what others think and often go through life without so much as shaving or learning words without contractions. Others are more keen to be liked and will go out of their way to ensure that the public views them the way they want to be viewed, often resorting to such things as plastic surgery or tooth whitener to do so. But the end result is always the same in both scenarios: people will view you the way you really are. You can try to hide your true nature, but it will always materialize in other people’s eyes.

As an information marketer, a real independent professional, a public persona is necessary to maintain. Like it or not, no matter how much time to spend behind the computer, you are in the public eye and are going to be exposed either in person or through your work. Therefore it is necessary to maintain the highest level of a persona that you possible can.

So what am I saying here? Should you start inviting your clients over for afternoon tea in your garden once a week? Should you start using language with lots of five syllable words? Or should you get a second mortgage to buy that Lotus in order for people to think you’re the big man?

Hardly. Of course, the tea and the Lotus sound pretty good…

But seriously, you don’t have to do anything to alter your public persona. You just have to keep it respectable. This means that you should always:

--keep your conversing with clients and others as professional as possible.

--maintain a neat appearance.

--always complete the job(s) you have committed to.

--be calm and collected, not matter what kind of adverse situation you find yourself in.

--always look to improve your business and learn new things to better yourself as a person.

I recall driving around a city close to the one I live in with a friend. We were heading to his parents’ home and I saw a very big sign of a local realtor. In a fit of immaturity, I snickered at his looks and the ad which showcased his slogan and MBA credentials in big red letters. My friend commented: “You know, normally I’d tell you to stop being such a jerk, but…”

But?

“I laugh too. My parents did business with that guy. He’s a total phony and does bad business. He just likes those big ads just to get new clients and show off.”

By all accounts, this realtor was a manipulator of his own persona. Had he been more honest with the public and focused on doing good business, his reputation would be at a higher level than it was. Don’t fall into this. Keep your public persona as high as the professionalism of your information marketing business.

Hope this helps you in the long run. Come visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily.

Have a good week,

J.

Notes on Embellishment in Info Marketing

2009-07-17T05:30:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

I have a question for you, and it's all about something you know about, related to writing...

Who doesn’t like hearing to a good story?

Not too many. I am a sucker for a story from just about anybody. Thanks to a rural upbringing, I can recall stories from some of the old guys in my area about working all winter in a logging camp on a small Great Lakes Island, seeing some very bloody action during the Korean War, and, according them at least, finding water in a dry field using a magnet on the end of a string. How true any of these fables are is really not that important. They are just tales, and meant for your listening enjoyment. Nothing more.

Especially with that last story, you can imagine what kind of tales can get tossed around when you get a bunch of guys hanging out in the tavern during Happy Hour. Naturally, and depending on the number of drinks being consumed, the stories tend to get pretty wild. Encounters with Elvis and aliens and conspiracy theories…everyone has something to top the previously told stories. This is alright for a night out. It’s part of the fun. But it is something you really have to watch as an information marketer.

This is embellishment. It’s when you pretty up or even sensationalize the facts. Again, it’s alright if you are out having fun, but it can become a problem if you don’t watch it in your information marketing business. The temptation to make your written info products seem a little too good to be true can cause serious future repercussions.

Here’s an example of what can happen: you are creating information content about cars. You know all the specs of particular engines – timing sequences, fuel intake and exhaust cycles, everything. You offer a trick about an adjustment that can be made to make your engine run more efficiently. But, without thought, you start using words like: “…by doing this, you will always see a two hundred percent fuel efficiency increase in your automobile’s engine.”

That’s embellishment. Actually, it’s over-embellishment. A cynic might even go so far as to say it’s a lie. Either way, you are in trouble. You’ve stretched the truth too much and deceived your readers into believing something that isn’t true.

Some people might ask what the harm is in this. After all, you want your content to sell and it’s got to be created in order to have appeal to the masses. And it’s fun.

This is true but there is a line that is not to be crossed. That line is the fiction and fact division, and it’s hard to come back if you’ve already crossed it. To repeatedly dish out white lies, you risk legal ramifications and the ruining of your reputation. If my superior Michael Lombardi was to start writing exaggerations about financial investment to his subscribers and these tips did not pan out, he would be out of business pretty quick. If you were to give insurance advice to your clients about your buddy’s insurance firm and how good it was and how the Queen gets her insurance from him when in fact she does not and he’s only been at it a year or two, well, things could get grim.

It sounds very hard to believe, but people can become susceptible to making things up when they are feeling good or on a professional roll. It’s a human thing to embellish, but in the end you have to have discretion.

The trick to this lies, as always, in the writing of your content. Yes, you want your content to be appealing, and you can do this very simply by writing clearly and from the perspective of an interested client. You just have to steer clear of the desire of making things sound better than they are. If you are straight up about the facts and possibilities of your information, your clients will not only return again and again, they will appreciate your honesty. Plus you will never get sued or taken to task, which is always good.

Stay grounded as an information marketer. Embellishments are fun, but always observe what you are doing and how truthful your material is. In the end, it’s an ounce of prevention well worth taking.

Take care and have a good weekend. Come visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily.

J.

Information Marketing that Really Helps

2009-07-14T04:53:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

I've been getting a lot of e-mails about different kinds of information marketing. A lot of people want to what is available to them based on things like their personal beliefs and ideologies. Hmmm...well...

Probably like a lot of you out there, I am one of those people who don’t like being told what to think, do, or believe in. As a human being who tries to be a good person, I enjoy living my life the way I think it should be lived.

The good news is that I find most people to be exactly the same as me in that respect. The bad news is that there are still a few people out there who not only like to tell me what to think, but want to profit off it as well. Bogus politicians, pseudo-scientists, and religious orders are only too keen to prey on your neurosis in order to tell you what to think and get you to pay for their own special method of betterment.

Some of these people almost act like bad info marketers – “Read this in order to get salvation…” or “Buy my book on how to use your thoughts to grow an inch taller…”. It’s sad to see people do this to others, and even sadder to see them profits from it. But you should know that it doesn’t have to be this way. Info marketing can actually serve a very useful purpose. You can market good information that can really help people in life.

Here are some info marketing arenas that can be utilized to actually help others:

--World information: Ever volunteered or taught overseas? Worked with a global aid organization? Have some insight on famine or global concerns? Is so, why not put together an information product based on what you know? One correspondent I have gotten to know over the last month worked with a Peace Corps operation in Ghana. When he was done he got a job writing ad copy. A random client found out about his experience and asked him to a leaflet about his experience and write content on Ghanaian issues for a charity organization. This person wound up doing writing about what he loved, getting paid for it, and even was sent back all expenses paid to do more charity work.

--Health issues: Cancer is one of the most tragic and frequent causes of death in the world. No one knows this better than an old colleague from the publishing world. Her mother got breast cancer and wound up dying a very rapid death. My colleague did a lot of research on the subject before and after her mother’s passing, and wound up accumulating a wealth of knowledge on the subject. She left the company to do freelance editing. Along the way, she was hired by the local cancer society to edit content. Finding the content to be subpar, she told her superiors her story and showed them her research. She is now the head editor and columnist for their newsletter. The message from this: knowing about real health matters is always in demand. People are always interested in the latest information about what could affect/improve their health and wellbeing.

--Victims’ issues: I would hate to ask how many of you have been in bad relationships or had harm done to you by someone else. I would hope none of you have been through it. But if you have, your experience in this area is actually in demand. Victims’ assistance organizations, school guidance centres, and related government organizations need you to share what you know in order to help those have been in or prevent others who might be exposed to similar situations. Check your local employment or government centres to see how you can get involved.

--Parenting matters: The world is always changing and this especially affects children today. You might have children and know something about their various modern health, education, or support needs. From this knowledge you can create information that all parents would be interested in. In fact, I have seen some of own family who had children with special needs that have created information products based on their own experience.

Some critics might see this kind of information marketing as insensitive profiteering by trying to use tragedy or bad experiences to make a buck. But I think differently: real, authentic experience and information of all kinds is needed in the world to help others. If you have this sort of experience, there is no reason why you can’t become successful while trying to provide help at the same time.

For more information, visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily.com.

Take care,

J.

Information Marketing for those "Other" Markets

2009-07-08T04:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Religion, politics, erotica...the list that most people don't want to touch or even talk about. But every once in a while, myself included, get the courage to tackle those subjects.

“Look, whatever you do, do NOT talk religion or politics with them. You’ll regret it…”

I was fresh out of school and I was just starting out as a teacher of disabled adults. My colleague, a hefty, cigarette puffing, warm-hearted Macedonian who ran the centre, was very experienced as a teacher and had dealt with all of the students up to that time. He was warning me of what can happen when you deal with these topics in a professional setting, based on one of his own experiences I am sure.

Now you have to understand that was young, curious, and a bit arrogant to say the least. Some heavy discussion was what I thought made classrooms interesting. But when I found out I had one devoutly Orthodox Christian woman, a conservative Roman Catholic man, a Gujarati Hindu lady, and a young atheist fellow in my class who had actually had confrontations with one another before, I knew what my boss was talking about. Surprisingly, when I got to teach some history and philosophy related subjects, I found they were up for some levelheaded debate and we wound up discussing things like religion and politics quite freely. That made the day seem that much more enjoyable for all of us.

Believe it or not, my former boss’ advice is something that applies to information marketing too. I have gotten some e-mails from some people who want to get into information marketing but are interested in creating content for the “other markets” such as political, religious, or socially risqué arenas. They ask me for advice.

Hm. Alright. Here goes…

Writing information for these markets is tough. It requires a lot of gusto on the part of the creator and is not something that is going to appeal to everyone. But the markets do exist and you can make a living at it. I have no business telling you what you should or should not create information for. That’s for you to decide.

Once you decide that this particular arena is for you, you should set about it in the most professional manner. Make sure you do some research and learn all avenues of what you are writing about. If it’s religious, read the religious texts, scholarship, and even differing opinions on that particular subject. If it’s political, check out related newspapers and websites. Don’t be afraid to check out the other parties’ politics and see what they are saying as well as your own. You will become more knowledgeable of what you are creating content for.

I might also advise some discretion. Now don’t think I am saying that you should be like a secret agent. You should be proud of what you do at all times provided you are sincere about it. But some people are not as clear-minded about certain matters as you might be. It is a shame sometimes, but conflict is inherit in the human race and somewhat necessary to our existence. That said if you are writing this particular content, do not canvass to others who might have reason to do harm to you based on what you think. You are asking for trouble if you do this.

Above all, be a pro. Approach what you are doing with integrity and aim to create the most intelligent and well constructed content imaginable. There are loads of writers and commentators who I do not agree with one bit, but that have earned my respect for at least bringing maturity and professionalism to what they do. People might not agree with you, but they can respect how you operate as a working professional.

We live in a part of the world where you have the right express your mind freely. I have been in parts of the world where certain books, music, and even food are banned for various reasons by those in power. Thus, by default of being a citizen of the west, you also have a right to be successful in sharing what you think and feel. Information marketing is a good professional route to achieve both.

For more information, visit us here at The E-Wealth Daily.

Good luck!

J.

The Information Marketer Gun for Hire

2009-07-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers.

Think being an info marketer is boring, stay-at-home work?

Well, get this...

My friend Neil is thirty-six years old. He has been comfortably living in his grandmother’s basement for years. Provided he watches over his plus ninety year-old granny, he has the place to himself. He’s had the same job of computer infobase generator for years. Like a vampire, he’s usually a little paler than you and only comes out if you invite him. He dislikes crowds, social gatherings, and anything interrupting his viewing of the latest X-Files DVDs release.

Yes, Neil is one of those shut-in guys. But he’s my bud and I am actually pretty happy for him these days. Worried that his current post is on the rocks, he started applying for jobs and finally got a contract to, of all things, head out west to design computer game graphics for a small entertainment company. He’s a computer whiz and loves these kinds of tasks. He’s going to head out west under the guise of a “family holiday” from his present job, so he can hold both positions at once. As he later told me: “Hey, I’m the computer gun-for-hire.”

Sounds almost like a mercenary, doesn’t it? Well, if you play your cards right, you, as an info marketer, can be a gun-for-hire too and have an exciting career as a result.

I know this sounds like a difficult position to aspire too, but it isn’t. You have knowledge and the skill of the writer on top of that. You are an asset to someone who needs it. You just have to get out there and apply yourself.

Here’s how to become an information gun-for-hire:

--Get your toolkit in order: I would suggest acting like, an assassin here. Actually, forget that example. A mechanic is a better example. Both need a toolkit to use on their job. Yours should include a portfolio of work and a business card reading [YOUR NAME]…Information Specialist. People will ask you what you do once you introduce yourself, so you simply say that you provide written information and content for publications. That’s all you really need to start. Updating your website would help too…

--Go to the right areas: You’d be surprised who needs information. Restaurants need well written, detailed menus. Lots of companies need product descriptions. Magazines need profiles and columns. Blogs need content from know-it-alls… you get the idea. Like when you are seeking out clients for your own info products, finding the right forum for freelance information creation isn’t hard. It just takes time. Go looking for people, show them your portfolio, and then offer to create information for them.

--Get the credit: You researcher it. You wrote it. You are the pro. It’s that simple. Make sure you get the credit in return. If you are happy just to take a fee, great. But, if possible, leave your name and website and/or e-mail address somewhere in the forum that you wrote in. The public will see this and people will seek you out for more gigs. *For this step, make sure you work out a credit deal with your client beforehand. I didn’t do that on a job once and while I got paid, I couldn’t leave my e-mail on the product I wrote for. It was a brochure and I know a lot of people saw it…(!).

--Make sure you know your stuff: Getting the gig is important, but make sure you deliver too. Creating positive, informative content is good. Creating false, over-exaggerated content is bad. Sinful, in fact. If you don’t know everything about what you are writing about, be it a lawyer bio for a compendium or the area in New Zealand where a particular lamb comes from for an agricultural column, find out. Ask the client or seek it out yourself. You can get into some very problematic areas if you don’t. Ones that might involve nonpayment, a ruined reputation, or in the worst case scenario, lawyers.

--Be prompt, clear, and professional: When working as a gun-for-hire, do what you would normally do for your own products. Make it the best content possible. Your client will like it, and you WILL benefit from it in the future.

You’d be surprised the number of people that don’t care for writing content. Their interest lays elsewhere – business, labour, design. Take this as a cue to get out there and offer yourself and your services to the public. Like my buddy Neil found out, your success will only grow as a result.

For more info marketing tips, go to the E-Wealth Daily website here.

Take care,

J.

The Worst Kind of Info Marketer

2009-06-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers:

Another week. More heat and lots of rain. The city is green, but I think more sun is in order. Better weather is something we all deserve.

Speaking of "better"...ever been ripped off? Had something bad happen because of someone else? Or maybe you were just plain lied too. Either way, it sucked didn't it? Your faith in humanity goes right out the window at that moment and you turn into a person you'd rather not be.

They say that there is real and good science – i.e. biologists researching bacteria growth, physicians testing new medicines - and then there is bad or pseudo science, like the man who claims magnets will cure your arthritis and drinking beer will make your hair grow. I only wish that later one really worked…(!).

In the real world it’s important to distinguish between what is the real deal and what is fake, phony, or a plain old scam. There’s no shame in considering something that seems too good to be true. The trick is not to get sucked into it, wasting valuable time and money on something that absolutely does not work.

That or becoming part of it.

Life is tough, and it’s often tougher to be an honest, forthright entrepreneur. I would be remiss in saying that you never have to “sell yourself” or “go for the gold” all the time. That’s part of competitive enterprise. But it’s important that you approach it in an ethical fashion. If you don’t you might end up losing your business and credibility altogether.

This can happen to info marketers. I’ve seen, shuddered, and even laughed at some of the pseudo professionals I’ve encountered. Here’s a list of some of them. Read them and make a note of not becoming like them:

--The fudger-of-facts: I have written about this in past newsletters. There is always the tendency to over blow facts about whatever information you are writing about. But you have to be very careful with this. In the event someone, perhaps even a client, finds out about this, you could get into a lot of trouble and see a decrease in client-base, profits, and a disregard for your professionalism.

--The outright liar: One step up from the fudger-of-facts is the liar. He or she is the one that just makes things up in the name of a dollar. Certain televangelists, politicians, and even journalists have come up in this category. But it can happen to an information marketer too. If it’s revealed that you are supplying content that is a complete fabrication of your own mind, you will lose everything. Your reputation, money, and career. Always do the right thing – write what is true and nothing else.

--The slacker: We all talk of wanting to be “free”. And when you become an info marketer, you are really the freest working professional out there. You are at home, doing what you love, making a name for yourself. But with certain freedoms comes the necessary responsibilities. You have to keep a schedule and be timely delivering a product to your clients. It’s that simple. Deviating from that because you don’t feel like it will result in customers thinking your heart is not in your work. As a result, they will leave. Don’t fall into that trap. Stay responsible and stay on track with what you are doing.

--The sloppy info marketer: I had a guy e-mail me a while back asking why he wasn’t able to gain more customers. I read over his content and found it loaded with spelling and grammar errors, as well as words that were only meant for a guy’s night out. I loved this guy – he’s an old colleague – but he was never burdened with an overbearing work ethic. I finally told him, as I am telling you now, that sloppiness is not even an option in this business. Always do the best work you can in creating info products and if in doubt, get a second eye to look it over.

--The guy-who-doesn’t-like-paying-bills: This person is held with probably the most contempt in any industry. If you do not uphold your end of a bargain and it results in people not being compensated for it, you WILL suffer. Until we live in that utopia where no one has to worry about paying bills or the rent or acquiring food, money will always be necessary. With that in mind, it is up to you to pay for all your expenses related to your business. Be professional and don’t embark on agreements that you cannot uphold. Your professionalism will always be regarded with respect as longs you do not…pardon the diction…“screw anybody”.

At the end of the day, everyone knows in their heart what it takes to be a good professional. Whether its information marketing or any other business, think of what you would want out of the product as if you were a client. If you can please yourself by working hard and creating the greatest products possible, you will never make the list of the worst info marketers. Ever.

Good luck and take my advice: it's worth it to be the best.

For more info, visit us at http://www.ewealthdaily.com/.

Best,

J.

Out in the Field as an Info Marketer

2009-06-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers:

I just got off the phone with a buddy of mine who is "out in the field". That's right he's a field operator of information marketing. What is this exactly? Let me explain...

It is impossible for one person to have knowledge on everything. The human mind is only so big and you can only record and recall so much information. Some might see this as a real hindrance, especially in the world of information marketing where recalling information is crucial to the generation your pay cheque. But not having an infinite brain capacity can actually create another more interesting avenue for you.

Part of being an information marketer is almost like being a detective. You often have to get out into the world and do some investigation and research in the field that you providing information about. This is actually one of the most fun aspects of information marketing. It gives you a chance to get new information and expose yourself to interesting areas and people that you wouldn’t otherwise experience behind your desk.

When you decide to embark on some field research, it’s important that you get ready. Take a whole bunch of pens and a thick pad of paper. If it helps, a tape recorder and/or digital camera can help too. Use whatever tools you think will help you get the most important information available.

A lot of marketers are unsure where to start and I always advise them to go right to the places and individuals most knowledgeable about their particular info market. If you are creating content about classic automobiles, go visit a mechanic or auto restoration pro who knows their stuff. If you are writing about agriculture, you might want to make trips to livestock auctions, feed production facilities, and scientific facilities. Watch the people there, ask questions, take notes, and observe. You can see how things operate first hand and even see what lies ahead for that particular industry. Put yourself in a journalist’s position and see yourself as someone who has to get the whole story.

I should also mention discretion and legalities as well. It’s a good idea to not go trespassing around people who do not want you there. If you try and ask people about their industry and they become hostile, it’s best to back off and go someplace else. They might not be the most legitimate of professionals or they want to work in secret. Either way, you will save yourself a load of personal and legal hassle by respecting the wishes of others and moving on.

It’s also good in field work to reference the people you got your information from in your info products. This is respectful of them and they will appreciate your consideration of them and what they helped you with. As well, they will be more forthcoming with more information in the future, thus making them reliable sources. You can also benefit in another area: one interview with one professional can be a salable newsletter or product all on its own.

In the end, field work is always rewarding on all fronts to the information marketer. It allows you a bit of professional adventure, establishes new contacts for your business, and can be a great profit generator at the end of work day. Take advantage of it whenever you are in need of new ideas for your info marketing business.

For more information, visit us www.ewealthdaily.com.

Take care,

J.

Keeping on Top of Your Accounts

2009-06-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Well, I hope it's summer where you are. Here in the Big Smoke, it is very much that hot time of year. I have been enjoying reading a book with an ice cold beer on my rooftop at night, and biking on the paths during the day.

That is of course when I am not doing the info marketer job.

Speaking of which, I was asked by a colleague about money. That's right. The dough, moolah, whatever. Money-in, money-out. Money-in, money-out. You know the vicious routine. When you are running a business or even if you still have a day job, it’s important to watch this cycle. And let’s face it: you want more of the former and less of the latter. A lot of people suffering through bad financial periods in their lives spend more than they bring in, and do not monitor their expenses, taxes, etc. Consequently they wind up in debt very quickly and their job or business goes belly-up as a result. It’s important that this does not happen to you.

There are loads of gurus and businesses out there that are designed to help people stay out of debt. The good news is that for you, the information marketer, you don’t need any of them. You just need a little organization and knowledge on how to monitor your accounts properly.

Here are some tips to help you with the endeavor of keeping an accounts file:

--Keep your receipts: Whatever you spend money for your information marketing business, make sure you get a bill as record. Be it a hand written waybill or printed receipt, keep them all. Put them in a file and do not toss out even the most trivial looking sales slip. You never know what tax deductions or special benefits in the future.

--Keep everything organized: You will no doubt accumulate quite a pile of receipts. It’s important to keep them organized. One trick my dad used to do with his credit card receipts was to get some binders and three-ring dividers to keep all of his receipts organized, with them taped to pieces of paper or in three ring Mylar bags. I still do this today. Believe me, when tax time comes around – and it always does – you can take all your receipts to the accountant and have your return quickly filed. God forbid you get a visit from a government official, but if you do, you can show them all your records right up front and save a terrible auditing. It’s that simple and there is no better way to stay on top of your financial game.

--Track your records: As time wears on, you will get to see what you are spending money on. Check all your receipts and work-related bills. Once you can see where your money is going weekly, monthly, and/or annually, you can make decisions as to what expenses can be reduced or eliminated altogether. Again, staying organized and keeping a receipt file will help with this.

--Trust your instincts: This might sound as an odd bit of advice, but it is helpful. There is a good chance that you know in your gut what is and is not worth spending money on, and how much cash you have available to spend. Don’t ignore this. A lot of people want to live large and buy something whenever the wind blows. That’s just plain irresponsible. Always think of your business first and make good judgments based on its survival.

Rightly or wrongly, money matters. It has made some people very notable in history, while it has also brought many people to their knees. Those who have managed it properly and seen success in their lifetime all seemed to come up with a game plan as how to manage it. There is no difference in the scenario of information marketing. If you get prepared with a proper accounts file, your success will continue on as well.

Be sure to send any e-mails to jburt369@gmail.com or visit the E-Wealth Daily site here for more info on how to stay on top of your accounts.

Take care and I'll be back soon,

J.

Shopping for a Good Internet Provider in Information Marketing

2009-06-10T03:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Information Marketers,

Summer is on. It's warm up here in the Great White, but lots of rain. I've been relegated indoors a bit, but jump out on my bike when the sun pierces out of the clouds. Of course when you are inside, you spend a lot of time online. Good or bad, I search a lot and try to see what this odd little invention has to offer everyday.

I can’t remember when I first heard the word “Internet” before. If memory serves, it was back in my days of regularly viewing action movies of the Stallone, Segal, and Van Damme class. In one film, one of our heroes was saving the world for a collection of lunatic terrorists, he used a military issue radio/computer that allowed him to connect to the “Internet satellite” and communicate with his superiors and some people that could give him some back up.

Even then, I knew that a lot of what was going on in the film was fiction, of the most unbelievable kind at that. And that scene I just mentioned is so funny to look back on, as it makes the Internet seem like an elite, espionage busting tool only good for the best of the best.

Today things are different and anyone can have the Net. That’s the good part. The tough part is that, especially if you use the Internet regularly for business like in information marketing, you need to shop for the best possible provider.

What does this entail? To be honest, it’s doesn’t require much more than if you were out to buy a car or house or computer. You want the best so you have to shop around for the best. With that in mind, you have to know what to look for.

Here is what you should consider:

--Reputation: Like a lot of new inventions, the advent of the Internet brought intense competition from the private sector. Thus there were a lot of companies that sprung up, claiming to offer the best, but delivered anything but. If you are looking for a good Internet provider, chat with your friends and colleagues and see which ones they use. A referral from them might even lead to you getting a deal of some kind as a new subscriber.

--Space: I had an e-mail account that as good for a lot of things. I could hold as many messages as I wanted in my account, could customize my messages with font options, and paid nothing to have the account. Its one drawback though was that its message size was pretty small. Every time I would send a digital photo to a friend, the message would bounce back saying it was too big to send. When you go to your provider, ask how much digital space both your e-mail and, if you get one, website is capable of holding online. A good provider will be able to provide that space at little to no extra cost.

--Price: Always a big concern. Again, shop around. Having a good reputation is very important, but also check prices as well. Very companies that start up might offer you a good deal as a first time subscriber.

--Perks: Like I mentioned about space, some Internet providers don’t offer much beyond the basic package of e-mail and or website features. If you have graphics or videos of your products, seminars, or advertisements, you will no doubt want to post them online. Make sure your provider has the capabilities to help you with what you want stylistically.

--Assistance: No doubt something is going to go wrong down the road. Your website will crash or you cannot access your e-mail. If this happens, the most logical solution is to phone your provider to see what is going on. Make sure your provider has in house staff that can be reached at any time to help with any problem that might arise.

Your website provider will likely become one of the most essential contributors to the success of your information marketing business. With that in mind, always seek out the best provider to help you with all your Internet needs. You won’t be sorry that you did.

Take care and be sure to check us out here for more news and opportunities.

Best,

J.

How to Build a Great Portfolio

2009-06-03T04:52:00.000-07:00

Dear info marketers,

I have been tracking a lot of people on the job hunt these days. It's a tough hustle, especially in this day and age. I haev done it myself...

Years ago I needed some extra cash. I was broke and was having trouble finding a job. A friend I had met in a writer’s group asked me about freelance writing.

“Have you ever considered it?”

I told her I had but wrote off the possibility as I had no experience. She smiled and changed the subject. A few weeks later there was a message on my answering machine from an Internet company saying that I had been referred to them by my friend to write the content for their website.

I called my friend later to thank her. Towards the end of the call, she gave me one last piece of advice.

“Keep all the galleys of what you wrote and bookmark the website on your computer browser. It’ll help build your portfolio.”

She was right. I did what she said and it helped me get several jobs later on. Building a portfolio will also help you as an information marketer. If you get into the position where you are being offered a job to write information content for someone but need to show your work, a portfolio is as essential as a resume to display your qualifications.

Here are some tips on building your portfolio:

--Save everything: I have come across people who, after a few gigs, toss some of their completed written material thinking they will never have to use it again. They may have had a bad experience doing the job or do not feel the work was very good or it is unimportant. But this is a bad habit. Keep everything. You never know what the future will hold and what material might come in useful to apply for a particular job down the road.

--What to include: What to include in your portfolio is ultimately relative to what job you are applying or being considered for. For example, if you are offered a contract to write information about sports, leave your other information products or newsletters at home except perhaps one sample to show your ability to write on diverse subjects. Like a resume, keep it short and brief and only include three to five samples of written content.

--A carrying case: I went out for coffee with my friend a few months later after that first writing gig. She brought along her portfolio. It was a hug leather case that cost her almost one hundred dollars. But she organized it and equipped it with her business card, a pen, and all relative samples in plastic laminate pages. Do the same. You don’t have to spend too much money, but get a good robust carrying case that can organize all of your samples and be readily opened and displayed to a potential employer.

--The digital portfolio: In this day and age, print material is transforming to digital media. Be ready for this. Make sure all your content is digitized into document files that you can e-mail to prospective employers i.e. in PDF or Microsoft Word document form. Get a USB drive that you can carry around with you and hook up to a computer if you need to send out samples at a moment’s notice. Being ready for the future often means keeping up with current changing trends and the digital route is a good way to be prepared.

--Update it: Keep all your files, but make sure your carrying case and digital portfolio shows your most recent and prestigious samples first. When someone looks at it, you should be ready to show only the best examples first. Period. Keeping updated will help you with this.

At the end of a coffee meeting, my friend told me an interesting story where she was at an interview for a job. The employer took her portfolio, flipped through the first six pages in a few seconds, and offered her a job on the spot. Pretty great, no? This might not happen to you right away, but if you get your info marketing portfolio ready now, there is no reason why it can’t.

Best of luck!

For more information on info marketing tips, click here for the new E-Wealth Daily.

Now You Are Successful...

2009-05-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Well I am back from traveling. Met some clients and relaxed. Also got to some of your e-mails and had some time to respond. And one e-mail was pretty interesting...

I have spent so many of the last newsletters dealing with things that might help you plan your day as an information marketer and how you can help keep up with change. Now I want to talk about fun things: what to do once you get successful.

Getting successful is the name of the game in information marketing. If you tough it out long enough, you will see both prestige and the accompanying cash to go with it as reward. But as the adage goes, success comes with a price. It’s so easy to want to celebrate day in and day out by going to restaurants and buy friends rounds of drinks. Or new cars. Or furniture for your rec room. Whatever you fancy, overzealous celebration can have disastrous consequences.

Once you get successful, there are a few things you should take time to consider. They are:

--Mindset: It’s good to understand success and to keep an open mind once success happens for you. Don’t get arrogant once you start seeing money rolling in from your information marketing business. Success will only continue if you keep your head on and pursue the same level of quality in your work as you had previously.

--Improvements: Take a few notes to see what you did that made you successful. Was it just your content writing or was it the inclusion of a special offer with your newsletter? Had you redone your website and attracted new clientele? Should you expand on a new idea? Always ask yourself what is working to help your business be successful and, above all, what can be done to improve it. Watch your business over time and see what can be done to make it the best it can be at ALL times.

--Taxes: This is the part of information marketing that isn’t much fun but sometimes requires the most attention. Since you are now your own boss, you are responsible that the people of the government are kept happy. You will have to file your own taxes and note whatever expenses are being made for your business. Now this isn’t as hard as it sounds. Search the Internet or consult your local employment centre to see what tax deductions need to be made from the income you earn. Set up an expenses account at your bank to and use this to track all money going in and out of your business. Provided you keep your expenses and tax work organized, you shouldn’t encounter much trouble with those in bureaucratic positions.

--Recreation: With the aforementioned tax and expense information in mind, don’t think that being an info marketer is strictly business. See what revenue is coming in and what can be used for fun. Put aside some cash to take a trip or save some for something special you would like to buy. Again, just be organized and do not overspend on things that are unnecessary. Reward yourself, just with discretion.

--Your future: My friend works at a major bank and he often uses the term “money in-money out”. That is, you see what money is coming in and what money is going out. This monitoring will helps you plan your professional future and what can be done to make it more successful then it already is. Once you see success, think about consulting a financial specialist and how they can help you with money investments. Look at ways to eliminate unnecessary expense. Talk to other information marketers about what they do in terms of staying successful and what pitfalls to avoid. In short, when you are not writing content, keep an eye on the roads ahead – particularly the financial one - to see what can be done to both maintain and improve on your business’ success.

The key to success is always thinking about tomorrow. Once you get into the groove of becoming a good information provider, you will, with the right skills, become equally good about predicting your future. It just takes time.

Take care,

J.

For more information, click here to read the E-Wealth Daily.

All of the Specs – Tips on Providing all Necessary Elements of Information to Your Clients

2009-05-06T07:06:00.001-07:00

Dear Info Marketers:

Ah, what a nice week. I am writing the galleys for my next few E-Blasts on the rooftop of my flat and loving the sunshine. It's a busy day for others here in the Big Smoke, but I get to take it all in.

Speaking of taking it all in, let me tell you a story. A few years back, I went home to see some family. While out for a burger and beer with an older friend of the family, I crossed paths with a friend I used to hang out with in public school. We chatted away for a while and, as they say, it’s surprising how much hasn’t changed.

I had met my friend through the local comic shop that had since closed in my hometown. We spent a good hour talking about our old love of comics – both of us had since quit collecting when we left high school – and our memories of secret identities, black-and-white underground taboo stories, and who and drew what. All of this talk harkened to a question a client once asked about information marketing: “How much knowledge should I be providing my clients?”

Obviously being well versed in anything is always an asset, but you have to know when to trim the fat and be concise in what information to provide. Here are some tips on what information is necessary in, well, information marketing:

--Classifications: Model trains, jukeboxes, even sports footwear…they all have a make and model. Whenever you want to provide information on a specific product, include all the specifics about it. Knowledge is truly power in this business and the more you know, the more your clients will pay to learn even more. It’s true that you may encounter the ridicule of “nerd” with your friends for this, but your clients will thank you for it.

--Sources: If you have a regular source for wherever you acquire certain products and consultation, reference it in your information content. For example, on newsletter I subscribe to about travel always points to good websites for airline tickets and outdoor gear. This can be beneficial to both your customers and you as customers like being in the know and merchants might offer to take out ad space in your newsletter and pay a fee to do so.

--Avoidances: If you really want to provide great information to your clients, consider telling them what to stay away from. A fellow information marketer who deals in antique furniture keeps a blog about people who wheel and deal in the antique world and are scammers. He lets people make their own postings on who are good and who to avoid. Thanks to the Internet, you can express opinions freely and, with reason, tell the public who may be worth staying away from.

--Prices: I probably should have put this at the top of the list. If there is one thing people are continually conscious of, it is cost. If you can provide information on good deals and where the best places with the lowest prices are, you will always have a continual client base. No question about it.

--Forecasts: Keep up with news about the information you are providing and if you can include a column of what is to be expected in future for whatever it is you are providing information on, people will stay interested in your product. My superior Michael Lombardi keeps abreast of financial news regularly and writes about it for his clients. A friend wrote regularly about film and video and with the advancement of HD technology, and his tips a few years ago on the increased industry usage of video has made his product increasing popular and profitable in the industry.

You can’t take the pulse of all clients, potential or confirmed. But you can provide the necessary information regularly to keep clients routinely interested in your product while attracting new ones as well. A solid information base means solid revenue for you.

Take care and more to come.

Best,

J.

PS Be sure to visit the E-Wealth Daily site for some cool new updates from myself and my colleagues. I am heading out of town for a week and might not get to make a new posting here, so keep checking the E-Wealth site for tips and advice. Feel free to shoot an e-mail too!

Dealing with That Unhappy Clients

2009-05-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

Dear info marketers,

Hope you had a good weekend. The sun was out here and I got out on my bike long enough to get some colour on my skin. It was grand.

I recently got an e-mail about an information marketer and his trouble with some of his clients. He asked for some advice. I replied with this story:

I remember having a paper route as a kid. At all of eleven years old, I started having my own professional responsibilities and making money on my own. But as you might expect, I had to encounter that cumbersome experience of dealing with my customers. I had to approach them personally to collect the bi-weekly fees, take notes of when they did not want to receive the paper due to holidays, and answer to any and all complaints they might had had. It was a tough job, but looking back, I seemed to have handled it well and I held the job for four years with some nice kudos from my customers.

Dealing with customer complaints was always tough. If you had a friend do the route for you and he or she made a mistake, it might meant you had to deal with a customer who was understandably unhappy for not getting their paper. But it was a job that had to be done and one that you might have to deal with as an information marketer. You might get a client who never received a product from you or becomes upset with the information you are providing. Regardless of the situation, there are some ways you can deal with unhappy clients.

When dealing with an unhappy client, you should:

--Listen, listen, listen: Whether the complaint you receive comes via phone, letter, or e-mail, listen to everything that the client is saying. Find out exactly what the problem is and be absolutely sure what the client is unhappy about.

--Be professional: This is your business. It represents you and you represent it. Whatever problem comes your way is going to test the level of professionalism you and your business possess. Keep that in mind when a client complains, you must always respond to them in a professional manner and do not break from the professional stance you have built up for your business.

--Do not react: No only should you keep a professional manner, you should not let your emotions get ahead of you. You might have to deal with a client who is slightly unruly and may use cruel or rude language with you. The worst thing you can do in such a situation is react in the same way you are being addressed. Again, be professional. It’s hard to do, as I have to do it in the past, but it can work out - if you show the more mature manner in the situation, the other person will see the irrationality of their behaviour and show more courtesy to rectify the problem.

--Be proactive: Always aim to solve the problem. Apologize for any inconvenience you might have caused your client and offer to fix the situation. If you can’t deal with the problem right away, offer to get back to the client with a solution at a later date. Hold up your end of the deal and get back promptly to the client on the date you promised with a detailed solution.

--Learn: Mistakes happen to everyone. But the smart information marketer will take these bad situations seriously and find ways to improve their business based on the problems that occurred. You can only improve your business with time and these bad scenarios are a sure fire way to make your business better.

Client-to-client relations can be both great and difficult. If you find yourself in the latter situation, use the above tips to help fix problems that occur and never break from the professionalism you have worked so hard to maintain for your business. You will be glad you did in the end.

More to come. Check out the E-Wealth Daily website here for other news and information.

Take care,

J.

Publisher’s Toolkit – What You Need When You Go to Press

2009-05-01T05:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Information Marketers,

Wow. What a crazy week, weather-wise. Sun, rain, sleet...not sure what's it's like for you, but here it has been crazy. I had to put my bike away and take more transport. Got a lot of reading done in the process, which was good.

Speaking of reading, I haven’t gone anywhere without a book for a long time. I never used to be a big reader until I worked abroad and had television robbed from me. Looking back, it was the best thing that ever happened as I found a world of knowledge that I never really took advantage of.

A fellow information marketer e-mailed me a few weeks ago and asked: I have a lot of stuff information here and I think it’s time to take the next step. How do you publish a book? For a long time, I never thought about how someone could publish a book on their own as I always assumed you needed an agent who queried a publisher to print and distribute it for you. You had a fifty-fifty chance of being successful.

But things have changed – for the better I might add – in the digital age. Now you can publish your own work and have all the success you want off it. I asked around and found a guy who had success self-publishing a novel after being dropped by his agency over a disagreement over rewriting his novel. He sent me a list of what you should have if you want to publish on your own.

Here it is:

--An editor: Once you have your content written, no matter how good you think it is, get it edited. Hand it over to a friend you have confidence in or hire someone who edits professionally. An extra set of eyes can give you that objective input you need to make your content look good and correct any outstanding errors that may exist.

--A graphic design: Your product’s content is of the utmost importance, but after that, you need to make it look presentable to your clients. Coming up with a graphic design is how you plan for your information product to look for public use. My friend advised getting a real graphic designer to help you with coming up with cover and layout ideas. I agree, but if you have already have experience with this in the past with publishing print products as some of my colleagues do, feel free to apply your skills to this tasks.

--An ISBN (International Standard Book Number): You know that funny thirteen digit bar code on the back of your books? That’s the ISBN and it gives the book its individual identification for public use and sale. Getting one can be a bit time consuming, but my mate said it’s a good thing to have in order to legitimize your product for the public to use. You can get information on purchasing this code online by visiting www.iso.org.

--A distribution plan: Don’t be confused by this as I am not implying that you have to network with a big distribution agency to sell your book from here to Kuala Lumpur. Quite the opposite, in fact. Start displaying your product on your website and offer it to existing clients in your e-newsletters. Check out related tradeshows and if you can get a place in one, bring along some copies to sell. Also pitch it to friends and colleagues, as someone may be able to carry it for you in their place of business or company and can sell it for a small honorarium. This “baby-steps” method will help your products’ success to get rolling and could lead to others offering to market it for you. If you start small, you can only get big.

This short list of tips is exactly what my friend used to get his book out to book shops and buyers. After thinking he would not have much success after being dropped by his agency, my friend can only certify this to you that it’s a surefire way for people to see what you have to offer and dig into their pocket to pay for it.

For more information marketing and wealth creation tips, visit us here at The e-Wealth Daily website.

Take care,

J.

Q & A - Some Questions and Answers From and For Other Info Marketers

2009-04-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

Hey all:

So you've been writing away and sending messages. I am glad - it’s always nice when you get e-mails, especially ones from other information marketers seeking advice. As the guy who is dishing out the goods on information marketing tips and advice, it really forces me to do my homework, think, and research the answers to everyone’s queries.

Over the past months, I’ve been banking all of my e-mails in a file on desktop here at E-Wealth Daily and dug them out on the weekend to go over them. Some of the questions were pretty good and I thought I should compile a bunch of to share with you. These are all valid questions – ones that I think you should consider for your information marketing business as well.

Here goes:

--Q: Hey James. I just started my info marketing business and I create information about sports, specifically basketball. I am getting to a point in my content creation where I am expired of ideas. I am debating writing content that might border on, well, false information and exaggeration. What’s your take on this? I think I know the answer but thought I better check…

A. False information, be it in high school term papers or information marketing, is always a bad idea. Especially if you are selling it to the public, the proliferation of false information can potentially result in ugly legal ramifications that you can only conceive of. My uncle always said: “If you don’t know, don’t bull…”…wait. Well, you get the idea. In short, you can be creative, but make sure you are always truthful. If you are out of ideas, take a break and then do some research for new ones.

--Q: James, tax time is here. I have never done any filings for my information marketing business before. Help!

A. This question is very important. What I would suggest if you have never filed a tax return for your business is to collect all of your sales receipts of your information products, all of your receipts for things you have bought for your business, and find a good accountant. They can walk you through the process of filing taxes, show you what you might have to pay, what return you may be entitled to, and what you can write off as expenses. Finding an accountant is like finding a doctor: search out a bunch of them and find the best, but be sure they can take a new client.

--Q: My products have not been reaching my clients through the mail. ARRGHHH! I am mad and don’t know what to do.

A: Funny you should mention that. I sent a package a few weeks ago to a friend and it never made it to their place either. I know the postal service in this part of the world is pretty good. But I would suggest that if you have very important products to send like items customers have ordered, consider using a courier service. They offer insurance, are very fast, and will handle your products with absolute care.

--Q: Hey man, any health tips for information marketers?

A: HA! I thought I better include this one as your health is important. Like people who work in offices or drive truck, information marketers will spend a great portion of time sitting down, strapped behind a computer. There is little physical exercise there. That said you should always make time to get up and get exercise. Factor in daily running or walking into your work schedule. As well, do not get in the habit of eating poorly either. Snacking gradually over the day is actually good, but think about eating dried fruits and nuts over the chips and carbonated drinks. Health is an important discipline to consider in any job, and all information marketers should be aware of it.

At E-Wealth Daily, there really is no such thing as a stupid question. Feel free to send queries any time and we will respond with the best advice possible to make your business a success.

For more information, visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily.

All You Need to Know About Docs — Tips on Creating the Best Info Marketing Documents

2009-04-22T05:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

An old colleague in the publishing world once told me about a trip he took to Mark Twain’s former residence in upstate New York. He talked extensively about seeing one of his writing idols’ home and the thrilled feeling he got exploring it.

One thing he talked with admiration about was Twain’s writing space. He got to see the room, desk, chair, and typewriter that Twain produced a large body of work from. He joked about how tough it must have been; all writers make spelling and grammar errors, and in the age of digital publishing and printing, the idea of re-typing whole pages on a typewriter to correct one error seems ludicrous. Mind you, my colleague joked, with the fear of having to do all that re-typing, I’ll bet he didn’t make too many mistakes!

Indeed. And who knows…it may have created a discipline and originality in writers of the past that we can’t even imagine of today. But that’s okay. Today things are different and we can use today’s technology to our advantage without sacrificing any quality at all.

Creating professional documents, whether they are newsletters, information products, or even e-mail messages, requires time and care on the writer’s part. But there are some great digital and non digital tools to help.

Here are some products I like:

--Scrap paper and a pen: No question about these as for my nickel in the jukebox, the old faithful pen and paper is still the best way to start creating documents. I always keep either a pad or folded bit of scrap paper in my coat pocket with a pen clipped to it whenever and wherever I want to jot down ideas or passages. I advise you to get into this habit as well.

--A voice recording device: This sounds pretentious, like the clichéd image of a screenwriter or mad scientist hidden away in some works space someplace, concocting crazy ideas. But a former colleague who often had trouble writing at the spur of the moment used an old tape recorder from his college days to record ideas he had while at home. He would play the tape back at the end of a week or random recording and transcribe the ideas he liked best. His success proved this method worked for him. It might also work for you if you have similar problems. As a bonus, many recorders now do not require tape and can be kept in your pocket like a pen, ready to use at a moment’s notice.

--Microsoft Word: I always thought this program was taken for granted by a great number of people today. But twenty years ago when my dad got our first personal computer, there was no program that you could access within minutes, and that had everything from font changing and table drawing tools, to text inversion and colour adding tools. Word has gotten me through many years of document creation and has been useful in so many ways. If you ever go to buy your first computer or laptop, make asking Is Microsoft Word on this? your very first question to the salesman.

--Adobe Acrobat: Adobe creates a lot of products for document and visual image creation/manipulations. I was fortunate in my former job to have been trained in it during a two day session. I learned how to create portable digital files (PDF) from scratch and how to transfer them electronically, over the Internet, etc. You can now download Acrobat from the Internet and I would advise you look into this if you wish to send out information products and documents electronically to your clients and colleagues.

--A Good Online Publishing Program: If you get or are already savvy enough with Internet publishing formats, invest in a good online publishing program. These programs come with an interface where you can transfer all the content from your existing Word documents onto and add the appropriate online markup to see how the pages will look online. They also come with an online publishing mechanism where, provided you already have a domain registered online, you can publish your pages immediately. We used to use Ultraedit programs before, but for personal use, Dreamweaver is a good investment.

The expression that it’s all in your hands truly applies to the information marketer that creates his or her own documents. The processes are cheap, accessible, and do not consume much time. Once you have your content and visual ideas prepared, you can literally sit down and create the documents you want and that best present you and your product to the world.

Take care and have a good week,

J.

Content Creation — Rules of the Road for Creating Your Content

2009-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Information Marketers,

Back in my salad days, one of the freelance jobs I took was that of website writer. I created content for a few websites for a number of different businesses. From house siding suppliers to small business real estate firms to logistics information, I created the content for all of these websites, starting with a pen and paper and ending, for some of them, by adding HTML markup for it to be posted online.

Recently a friend asked me to redo the content of his company website. He gave me the URL and told me to take any information I needed from it. The company information was in fact there, but the content appeared to be written by a surrealist author, and was chocked with spelling and grammar errors. When I asked my friend about it he said, “Oh yeah, I just nicked some pages from some other websites and cut and pasted them together”

My heart skipped a few beats. We had to have a chat after that as my mate was a content thief.

Creating your website can be cumbersome, but it can be fun too. So much fun that you do NOT need to steal material from others. You need to be organized, but you can do it yourself.

Here are some techniques I use when doing up websites:

--Create an Outline: Like creating an information product, create a detailed outline of your website. Use a blank page of paper for every page of website content you are going to use. Some pages to consider are: About Us/Me, Mission Statement, Products and/or Services, Order Online, and Contact Us. As a rule of thumb, I create between five and ten pages of content for anyone website, depending on the company size.

--Writer your Content Carefully: You don’t need an MFA in creative writing to write your website content. You do, though, have to be thorough. Give some details about yourself, your company, a brief description of your products, and how people can get a hold of them. That’s it. I write my pages in longhand on scrap paper first, and then type them up later. If you are more computer savvy, feel free to type them up straight off, but be sure to edit them and print them off to see how the content looks.

--Keep Fonts and Letter Sizes Consistent: Put yourself in the viewer’s chair and always think about what you would like to see if you randomly landed on that page during a ‘Net surfing session. Keep your fonts consistent – I always use either Courier or Arial – and keep the letter sizes readable and attractive to your viewer.

--Have Graphics for your Products: For the E-Wealth Daily website, we took the graphic files of our product covers and compiled them on our Products page with a brief description of each. If you have graphic files for your products, do the same. It will look attractive to the viewer.

--Do NOT Plagiarize: People say that the Internet is so vast there can’t possible be people out to police it. Hogwash. A recent documentary I watched on a news program revealed that companies will hire detective-like personnel to scan suspect websites to see if plagiarism has occurred. If another entrepreneur suspects you have taken content from their site, you could risk serious legal penalties, and they might have a very good legal team. When in doubt, write it fresh. If that’s an issue, hire a copywriter. Either way, it’ll save a lot of potential hassle.

Websites were designed for information marketing. You are writing your own products right? If you can do that, you can writer your own content. It does not take too long, can help you test your creative juices, and is something you can show to people what a serious entrepreneur you really are.

More to come, so stay tuned!

Best,

J.

Oddities — The Strangest Place Where You Can Get Ideas for Your Info Marketing Business

2009-04-17T04:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

It's no surprise that some of the best discoveries came by accident. Scientists, inventors, musicians...there are deep volumes of stories about how great things were created purely by accident. For instance, it’s hard to believe that comical story of Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree, theorizing away on physics, when an apple hitting him on head gives him the sudden inspiration needed to come up with the three universal laws of motion. But then you never know where ideas come from or what things – physical or otherwise – can cause ideas to form in your mind.

As an information marketer, your whole career is dependent on ideas and I have written about where to get them in the past. You might get stumped on what to write about in your next newsletter or what new product to create. Do not worry as this happens all the time. You just need new inspiration. Funnily enough, like the ideas themselves, they can be always come from new and very unlikely sources. You just have to be alert to them and make a note them once they come.

I am fortunate to network with a lot of people, as well being able to conduct my own independent research. I pound the pavement and search things out that interest me in order to write more about this subject. Over my past months of research, I have chatted with colleagues and network associates. Here’s some places you might want to try to get new ideas for your information marketing business. And they are all pretty unlikely.

--The junk and used book shop: I was a scavenger of flea markets, junk shops, and used records shops as a teen looking for old obscure albums and books. I was also curious about life before I was on earth and what things looked like before I was alive. It was a great experience and I found later that when I began writing, some of the old ad page copy, magazine articles, and album jacket verbiage gave me fresh ideas to instigate my own word creation. As well, by examining old product ads in magazines, I began to be analytical about why certain products succeeded over time while others did not. This can be a good tool for you too. If you get stuck, take a walk around the mini mall or used centres for things that might provide inspiration.

--Completely unrelated information or trade magazines: A guitar player I was reading about once mentioned that he never listened to the same type of music he played. Never. Rather than crunchy guitars or psychedelic improvisations that his band performed, he preferred easily listening classics and even muzak (!) while at home, alone with his stereo. Why? It was completely the opposite of what he was doing. There was nothing to compete with and even the most banal piece of an elevator melody would give him an idea for a riff. A fellow info marketer confirmed this claim. If you are writing about personal fitness, get a copy of a model railroad trade. Or a kitchen and bathroom refurbishing magazine. Or a vintage soft drink e-newletter. Reading this unrelated information will give you an objective eye to see how these people work their information marketing business and thus give you new ideas for yours. Check the layout, columns, and what special information they are providing their clients.

--Cookbooks: I know what you are thinking: “What??” This sounds weird, but I include this from the advice of another very successful information marketing friend. His reason for scouring cookbooks was to see how you can take very bland materials and create something that looks and tastes sensational. My friend saw it like this: you take the raw ingredients of pen, paper, and word processor to create a hot newsletter. It’s that simple. He would even note the look of the recipe itself on the cookbook page, as what kind of type it used and what paper it was printed on. Again, it sounds so odd. But this guy had the success to back his claim up.

--Children’s toy shops: A dramatic theorist whose name escapes me once said that the only purpose of drama, be it tragedy, comedy, suspense, or horror is to free the unconscious. You are being entertained by the story and it is only later that you realize how profound the dramatic piece was. Children’s toys are supposed to do this too. Their odd characterizations and playful colours are to create a fertile imagination in the child’s mind. Even if the plastic baby doesn’t really talk, it does to that child playing house with it. This is the objective for you too. Your information is supposed to come across as informative and insightful without being deliberately so. Therefore, check out your local toy shops and see what imaginative possibilities are there to make your product that much more appealing in the eyes and minds of your clients. You don’t have to create the next action figure, but you have to make your product inspire action in your client’s mind.

Most of these idea generators are things we all take for granted when we are out and about in our daily lives. They aren’t fancy and are very common. But taking a closer look at them can generate ideas for success that you would never, ever expect otherwise.

See you next week,

J.

Watch Out — Avoid all of These Problems in Info Marketing

2009-04-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Sorry to not update. Was away for Easter weekend. Lots of kids, chocolate eggs, food,...it was pretty fun.

My blog entries have all been about the recent bad news in the media. I am now going to address that some pitfalls that are to be absolutely avoided. These all come from a good friend and colleague, so feel free to take notes.

My colleague is a constant surfer. Both on the waves of a South Sea Island someplace and on the Internet when he isn’t doing the former. He’s hilarious: to look at him, you’d think he was just another globetrotting bum complete with dreadlocks and Aztec sun tattoos. It is hard to believe he is one of the most professional information marketers I have ever met. He is honest and his clients love him for the information he provides – travel and surfing tips – and he does very well as a result.

I get bi-weekly e-mails from him with CHECK THIS OUT written in the subject line. It usually contains a link to another information marketing site that is less than great. I saved all the messages he sent and went through them all. He and I both noted the big mistakes in all of the sites and think it’s high time we shared them with you.

--Over-investment in Certain Products: A lot of the sites and their respective publications are a lot like Hollywood epics: way too overproduced. There is obvious heavy expenditure in graphic design and oversaturation of content. You don’t need to do this. Keep your products looking simple, well constructed, and, above all, informative. Save your money and just do a good job.

--Plagiarism: my friend found one site with the phrase “…getting good travel tips is vital whether you are traveling in Thailand, Tennessee, Timbuktu…” and another with “…getting great travel advice is vital whether you are in Buena Vista, Benin, or Boston…”. Very similar, no? This is flat out copying and there are laws in place to prevent this. Be smart, avoid lawsuits, and create your own original copy.

--Scamming or Being Scammed: Some sites use coercion in their sites like “Be the First on Your Block…”, “Do This Now Or…!”, or other such methods to hook their clients in. You don’t need to. Be professional and use confident, meaningful grammar in your products to attract clients. As well, be wary of people who want to promote your product for hefty fees. One of the sites we saw were “endorsed” but a well known con artist who has since made his way to the Internet black list.

--Making Outlandish Claims: A lot of products claim the world. “See your bank account increase overnight…”, “Get the girl of your dreams every time…”, or even “Watch your cancer disappear…”. If your product can really do this, fine. You have likely received a Nobel Prize or Guggenheim Fellowship in the process. But if it cannot, don’t make the claim. Clients want results and if they don’t get them, they will take action to get financial results instead.

It should be noted that there are only a few sites out of the millions in existence that engage in the practices above. Most people are pretty professional. Regardless, use this list as a checklist to ensure you do not fall into any traps that might hamper your information marketing business from being the best it could be.

Take care and more to come,

J.

In the Event Off… — What to do if Your Product Fails

2009-04-08T03:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Do you get tired of the bad news too? Job losses, the "new recession",… it never stops does it? Is it scare tactics or really true? And what are we gonna do?

Well, I guess to start, we have to be honest.

I like when people are honest with me. I really do. I have had coaches advise me to change the sport that I was in, cross country, to a sport that better suited me – rugby – after it was obvious I could not run as well as the other team members. I also liked it when the girlfriend of a landlord advised me to get a new place because, according to her, her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend was “no good” in any way. It saved me many future headaches and money problems. Hers too, it souned like (!).

That said I have to be honest with myself sometimes. You have to accept things not working out in all walks of life – relationships, school, and work. I have created products and product proposals that frankly did not pan out. The first one was tough to swallow and I went through the usual avenues of anxiety. But my boss was supportive and just told me to keep at it.

Part of having your information marketing business is knowing that certain things will fail. It just happens. I certainly hope it never happens to you, but if it does, here are some suggestions for action:

--Check the stats: You should always be sure you are right about something. If your product looks like it is a bust, verify this by looking at your sales figures and client subscribers. Numbers really do not lie. It’s good to monitor your numbers continually before they get out of hand and decrease beyond control.

--Accept the Inevitable: My flamboyant calculus teacher in high school used a lot of funny expressions, including the infamous “We’re beating a dead horse here, people!” when we couldn’t solve tough integration problems. As weird as it sounds, it applies to your business too. Don’t be a “dead horse beater”. Your product is failing and taking your business down with you. Cancel it, put its related files away, and move on.

--Make a Professional Notification: If you want to discontinue your product, fine. But make sure your clients know you are doing this. Compose a formal letter and send it out to all clients. Use language like “As off, product X will no longer be issued by [your company name] due to…” and “we thank you for your patronage and please direct all related queries to [your e-mail address]…”. You cannot go wrong with this and your customers will stick with you as they will know you are working like a pro.

--Hit the Books: You are going to need fresh ideas. Take the time you need to get some new ones. This does not necessarily mean homework either. Take a trip or holiday to let your mind relax so you can come up with new ideas for your information marketing business. Keep notes on them all and work each one out for its possibilities.

--Look at Resurrection Possibilities: Once you get new products going, go back to the ones that didn’t work and you had to shelve. Review them and if you think they have renewed potential, try revising them for future use. Some of my favourite performers like Richard Thompson and Warren Zevon have all been dropped from their record labels for many reasons, but they managed to get re-signed and still have great careers afterwards. Like your information products, they had “resurrection potential”.

Nobody likes to fail. But in the event that you do, you can always do something about it. Take the pro-active approach to your information marketing business and you will never really fail.

More to come so have a good week and stay tuned,

J.

Combination of the Two — Partnerships in Information Marketing

2009-04-06T04:59:00.001-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Well after a sunny weekend it’s raining hard outside now. This is a bit hard to digest after a very nice weekend, but to be optimistic I guess it leads to the inevitable “April showers = May flowers” saying. Something to look forward to.

And speaking of which, I got an e-mail from a friend who was offered a partnership with a fellow info marketer who deals in the same type of information as him. I was very happy for this friend but he ended his message in a sort of blue mood by saying: “I don’t think I’ll do it. I am just not that optimistic, Burt. These things never pan out.”

“Not true”, I told him. My colleagues Michael Lombardi and Adrian Newman have succeeded for many, many years thanks to several carefully established professional and profitable partnerships. While they are not necessarily easy, they are born and nurtured out of a mutual need for both parties wanting to do the best.

The things you should consider that are the most important in information marketing partnerships are:

--Who can provide what: Just like planning a fishing trip or party with friends, you have to sit down and carefully divvy up each party’s responsibilities. Make a list of what goals you want to achieve and who can provide the necessary information to achieve that goal. Be as fair as possible and try to balance the scale so everyone is carrying their weight.

--What schedule to create: You might form a partnership with someone located a large distance away, and thus you can’t work side-by-side, in the same time zone, with the same release dates. Correspond regularly and create a schedule of when you are going to release your products and on what basis i.e. daily, weekly, monthly, etc. Consider where both partners’ clients reside and what release dates have worked best in the past.

--What compensation to provide: This is always tough as we always hear bad press about disputes over money. Whether it’s between big corporations or small businesses, these matters can get bad, especially if courts are involved. Thankfully they can be avoided. Here’s how: think about starting the partnership for free. That’s right, for free. No fees, just “You create this, I’ll do that, and we will put it out and see what happens.”. I know that this sounds odd, but it works. If things do not work off the bat, start again. When you are successful and see profits, start dividing them up in an equal fashion.

**This is no joke. Many of my colleague’s most successful partnerships started this way. They wanted to “test the waters” to make sure things would work. Thankfully they did, and both parties ended up with significant profits.

--Who gets the credit: Again, this is another matter that can get pretty sticky if not done correctly. Basically, remember the old adage that credit is due where credit is due. Whatever content is created, that person should get the credit for creating it. Crediting yourself of having the other party crediting themselves for something they had no hand in is wrong and, more importantly, illegal, with plagiarism being a frequently tried court case. You have to keep things balanced so each party is pulling there weight equally. If this scale begins to fall to a heavier side, then you have to stop and rework your plan so it is partnership workload is balanced.

--What to do if it does not work out: I am not one to tell people what they want to hear and should address the possible fact that you may or may not have a good long term partnership. But if you don’t, that’s ok. Provided you held up your end of the bargain in the most professional manner possible, you can, in the worst case scenario, walk away to form another partnership with a newly created portfolio of work. BUT hopefully it will never come to this. Partnerships are great and can help your business succeed to unprecedented heights.

Information marketing is great if you are very independent and enjoy working by yourself. But if the opportunity of becoming more successful with a partner presents itself, it is always worth considering. Find the right one, do your homework with them, go work on the common goal of success.

You will not be sorry.

More to come so stay tuned and have a good week.

Best,

J.

Research and Development — Doing Your Homework for Information Marketing

2009-04-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Ah spring. It’s raining outside as I write this. I always think this is good, as we are heading into a new season and this is just the buffer to pass through.

As I sit here and write this next message, I am surrounded by books, newspapers, and some messages I have printed off from my e-mail list. I try to keep up with new trends, business developments, and trends in the global economy. It’s true that you never stop learning, and you also never stop being in the world around you. That said it’s best to keep up with what’s going on.

I do this for a lot of reasons, but primarily it’s to help me provide ideas for both myself and all my readers. But like anybody, I get stumped. Not just for ideas to write about, but for information on information marketing. Period. This goes beyond advice as you have to find the right sources for all the legal, government, or reference material to keep you knowledgeable as to what applies to your business and how to make it stronger as a result.

Here are some important outlets:

--The Reference Library: I have written about the value of a local library in the past for its use of periodicals, books, and magazines for inspiration to your business. But suppose you are looking for a case study that was recorded for a failed product similar to you yours in order to read it and not make the same mistakes. Or you want to check an old edition of a book that might provide information to your business but is no longer in print. The reference library is designed for this. They archive everything and keep everything available to researchers, scholars, and journalists looking for specific information. You might have to travel to a city or university town where it is located, pay for a special pass, and do your research there as these libraries do not often allow things to be checked out. But all this can be worth it for the information you need.

--Government Websites: Everything on is on the Net these days. And this is good. If you want to know the new tax amendments for where you live or what regulations exist to ship your product overseas, you can get it off the Internet. Be sure to refine your searches according to municipal, state/provincial, or federal government websites and what regulations exist for where you live. It used to be that you had to travel to a government publication office to do this, but now you can access this information with your mouse and monitor.

--Accountants and/or Financial Advisor: Along with government websites, you might want to get in touch with, well, people who know about money. This sounds pretty blunt, but ask no objection that they are very helpful people. These people base their careers on keeping up with changing economic times and they can provide you with information on how to save or spend your money, where to invest, what to avoid wasting money on, and how to pay your dues correctly. Be sure to get referrals from fellow business people who trust certain professionals and interact with those who have a solid reputation.

--Legal Counsel: This reference is one I intentionally leave to the end of the list. But keeping a lawyer’s number close by is a good in case you get into that extreme situation where it is necessary. Lawyers are expensive and even getting an hour’s worth of counsel costs a few hundred dollars. However, this can be well spent if you are dealing with fraudulent associates, get injured, or have other problematic areas of your business. Only consult a lawyer if you absolutely need to and make sure you find one with a good reputation, perhaps on the advice of a colleague.

You are an information marketer. You need to provide information, and that entails getting it as well. A lot of it. Be sure to absorb or record any information that could be helpful to what you do and you will see your business thrive.

More to come. Have a good week.

Best,

J.

Remote Control — The Best Thing about Being an Information Marketer

2009-03-30T05:52:00.000-07:00

We have all heard the clichés, haven’t we? Even if we’ve never even worked in one, the horrors of this place are detailed everywhere. In films, in books, in many case studies. It’s compared to a dungeon, a jail, an oasis of no return. You like the comforts of it, but you hate that you “can’t go anywhere”, either physically or professionally.

That’s right: the office.

Obviously, I’m being facetious. But it is fun listing all the jokes, especially having worked in an office myself. I would be remiss to say that all offices are bad, as would some of my family members. While it wasn’t always perfect, I have fond memories of good camaraderie with my colleagues and accomplishing a great number of large scale projects. I often took long lunches with friends and could talk freely with people I met on the job.

But being an information marketer is different. Your office is wherever you happen to be working and your colleagues are simply your clients and the professionals you associate with to better your business. You will not be “punching the clock” like others and most likely working from home. This is called working remotely.

So how do you work remotely? Well, like this:

--Get the right tools: Like information marketing itself, working remotely doesn’t entail a lot of tools. I’ve spoken a million times about having a good computer with a reliable Internet connection, but these days you may want to consider the laptop path. My friend is an editor and she does absolutely everything on her laptop. This enables her to do all her tasks while sipping coffee at the café and catching up on all of her favourite fashion websites at break time. If this sounds appealing, consult your local laptop and computer shop for the best type of laptop and how to dial up remotely.

--Get the right space: Like I mentioned above, your new office space doesn’t have to be at home. It can be anywhere. But this means you work from the place that best suits you for getting your tasks done. Don’t hang out in restaurants that are noisy and distracting. And, as a friend once learned the hard way, while the local pub had great food and alcoholic drinks, it did not yield any progress. In fact, it only resulted in an extended afternoon nap. Don’t be afraid to stay at home if that type of space helps you. For others, working far from home can be good too, be it the café or a bleached house on a Greek island. It makes no difference where you work, provided you get the job done.

--Get a Schedule: No doubt in your business you will have daily tasks and repetitive duties to perform. This can be tedious and there is always the temptation to deviate from it. But the absolute best advice I can give is to make a schedule and, above all, stick with it. Unless you have a prior appointment, make sure you keep on track with your agenda. Write your newsletters at the time everyday, send out the mail at the time you like to, and even set your break times. This will only create a high level of efficiency and your clients will enjoy the consistency, thereafter rewarding you with product purchases.

--Keep Your Head Screwed On: You are your own boss. You will be working by yourself. Again, you will have temptations. Surfing the Internet, calling friends, taking too many breaks…they are all fun but you must remember that you are at work. It takes a lot of willpower to resist temptation, but you can do it. Think of the success you are achieving on your own and what other possibilities lay ahead for your business. Remember the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day?” It’s absolutely true. Use the future as your inspiration for achieving the success you want.

Working remotely is truly a gift of the modern age. It has given people the freedom to avoid the confines of the age-old office stereotype and allow them to make whatever space they want their area of success.

With the proper dedication, you can reap the rewards this too.

Have a good week,

J.

For more information, visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily website.

A Legal Matter — Some Good Legal Tips for Information Marketing

2009-03-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Well, I just found out that a friend just got his M.A. in education. We were happy for him as he had been at it a while. With two B.A.'s and now an M.A., this is a pivotal moment in his life. Or at least it was supposed to be. After not turning up for a party in his name, I tracked him down for a beer and he finally admitted it. He doesn’t want to teach. And he’s in debt. And his relationship to his girlfriend is on the skids. And…and…and…you get the idea.

I always feel bad for a guy like this. They get to certain point, accomplish a goal, and then realize they don’t like it or don’t want to do it for life. It’s costly, time consuming, and frustrating. Count yourself lucky that you are information marketing. You can be your own boss and the dollars you make are your own. You can be successful on your own terms.

Well, almost all. You can always be sure of two things in life, right? Death and taxes. The first is unavoidable and pretty morbid. Let’s leave it and digress into taxes. You can deal with them. In fact, you can deal with all the government/legal matters of your business on your own. Here are some things you should be aware of to ensure that you stay in control:

--Copyright: Your company is your own. Your name is on it and it represents you. The good news is that once you declare this, you officially own the name of your company. You don’t have to go through any legal channels to declare otherwise. The bad news is that once your company name gets social prominence, you have to watch who is using your name. If people are using your name to make money, make sure they get permission from you beforehand. To be safe, consider trade-marking your name at your local government patent office. Keep tabs on who is using your name.

--Expense/Revenue Record: Since you are self employed, you aren’t getting the deductions you did at the desk job. That said, you should keep a receipt record of all the expenses you make and what revenue you bring in for your business. I mean everything. Tax time always comes and if you want to sit right with the government, make sure you note everything. This could be beneficial as you might be entitled to deductions or rebates later on.

--Disclaimer: I was watching television at a friend’s house a year back and I remember one of those zany commercials coming on with some man doing a gonzo stunt. It was a hoot to watch, but I noticed the little white subtitle at the screen’s bottom: “Stunt performed by professionals. Do not attempt at home.” This looked unnecessary, but according to some research I did, it’s actually smart and prevents future lawsuits. This is something you can adapt. Don’t make huge claims with your business as if you don’t deliver, you might get in trouble. Be careful on how you express thoughts and ideas in your writing too. Speak your mind, but keep it professional. If what you are writing is entertainment, put it in a disclaimer at the end.

--Consult Pros: Not sure about taxes? How much you are paying for supplies? There’s no shame. Just find out. Search the net for local private or government pros you can give you consultation. It’s often free and can save a hassle. Even with a lawyer if you want intellectual property advice and you might have to pay a fee it is still worth it in the end.

When I said that “death and taxes” quote was pretty morbid, I meant it. It gives the same feeling as I had with my friend and his long education. You want to spend your time living life. Part of living is being prepared for tomorrow. If you take the right precautions and work towards a common goal, you will be prepared.

More to come. Have a great week.

J.

Big Stories — What Publications to Observe

2009-03-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

I was the first one in the office one day last week and noticed several different newspapers and magazines piled at the door when I arrived. I took them in with me, but later consulted the boss about this. Do you really need all of these? I inquired. Absolutely, he replied. If you think the world's activities stay in one spot all the time, you are mistaken my boy.

My boss wasn't joking or being ironic. He's very successful and now I know why: he stays on top of trends constantly. His subscription to several local papers plus some name magazines and key Internet sites has ensured him in being up-to-date with the current business world.

As the information marketer, I would highly recommend this to you as well. Sounds tough? Well, the good news is that you don't need that many to keep tabs on. Not even as many as my boss does.

Here are some publications that you might want to invest in:

--The Best Local Business Paper: I have to specific about this because if you are like us, you live in a city with several different daily newspapers. You should subscribe to the paper with the absolute best business section. Here in Toronto, my boss gets to two papers, The Globe and Mail and The National Post, as both have the most detailed business sections in the province and even the whole country. Both have huge coverage and during certain days of the week, the business section is the dominating portion of the paper. Find the same newspaper for city or town.

--A Good Business Paper: I used to live in the basement apartment of a philosophy professor. He liked to read up on economics as well as keep stocks, so he subscribed to The Economist which he got monthly. Again, I cannot recommend the best one for you, but look at this magazine, The Wall Street Journal, or a magazine devoted entirely to economics. These magazines often carry economic forecasts that can not only help you see the future of your information marketing business, but of your personal finance as well. Ask around with fellow info marketers or consult your local newsstand for the business magazine that would be best for you.

--The Best Related Trade Magazine: This is the magazine that has the best news for your information marketing business. If you are provide information on sports, do not subscribe to Model Trains Monthly. Get Sports Illustrated or something similar. If you are into woodworking and carpentry, Popular Woodworking is worthy checking out regularly. These magazines can be good not only for industry news, but also for advertising and related deals to your business. Again, consult your newsstand or search the Internet for related publications.

--A Good Internet Site (or More Than One): In this day and age, it's important to find news on the web as it is the fasted producer of news updates. Check blogs and message boards as well. Even the smallest sites can have the smallest yet most important tidbit of advice that you could ever hope to find.

Staying updated can be tough. But knowing where to search is half the battle. Find those publications that can help you the most and then use them for your updates and information. Your business will strengthen as a result.

More to come so stay tuned.

Have a good week,

J.

The Headless Chicken — What to do With "Down Time"

2009-03-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

When you come from a rural based family like I do, you can't help but soak up the lingo. My families had sayings that were not only funny to me when I was small, but even funnier to my friends in the city who never heard such odd expressions.

"We're beating a dead horse here!" was a favourite, particularly of my calculus teacher when trying to solve problems. Another was "That stinks to high heaven." And "He's as useless as..." — wait. Can't use that one. Sorry guys, family publication.

But my favourite was always: “He's running around like a chicken with his head cut off.” Slightly morbid, no doubt. But it conjures up the appropriate images, doesn't it? The sense of directionless-ness, confusion, and, worse yet, imminent death. Information marketing will hopefully never lead you to the latter experience, but you'd be less than human if you never experienced the first two. That's alright, as being your own boss can feel like that. You're taking risks that you're friends punching the clock cannot even conceive of. Naturally, you are going to have days where there is little activity and this can be potentially stressful if you don't know what to do with your time.

Here are some thoughts on what to do during your “down time”:

--Get creative: You are a creative person because you are an information marketer, right? Why not take a break to get more ideas? Get out some pens and paper or a notebook and start randomly jotting down ideas for the future. This might sound trivial, it can be great in the end. Ask any musician. If they even get four bars of a melody in their head, they will write it down, record it on a boombox, or, as I heard Louise Post from the band Veruca Salt once doing, phoning her answering machine to record it over the phone. A stock pile of ideas for the future is always an asset.

--Re-organize: You've likely been busy working at your business and your office is now a mess. Down time should be used efficiently to get re-organized. Throw out trash that you don't need, get your financial records in order, and make a list of what items you will need for the future. Thinking about tomorrow today is, again, only an asset.

--Network: Check out your leads and customer list. See who you have come into contact with since the inception of your business or search the websites for potential allies who have a product similar to your own. If you come across someone who might be able to help your business, come up with a pitch for them, and give them a call. Try not to make things too social and stay on task with trying to make your business grow. Sometimes during downtime, you have to be the one to stir the pot a bit, but this can generate new ideas and associations, so don't be afraid to do it.

--Step Outside: If you are in any kind of rut in life, the best thing is to get out of it. Sounds too simple right? Well, it is and it is necessary. No one is superhuman and your mind is going to need a rest sometime. Spend time with family, take a holiday, or pursue an outside interest. I mentioned the beating of a dead horse earlier...you do not want to be the person being that beater as it will not amount to anything.

The other prominent old saying from my childhood was the clerically derived “Idle hands make the devil's work.” It can be true as if you have nothing to do, you might face going down a path of instability and potential tragedy. But if you have gotten thus far in your information marketing career, you shouldn't worry. You will be creative enough to ward off any of the devil's temptations. Or wind up like a chicken sans tété...

Good luck and have a good weekend,

J.

For more information visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily website.

Gimme the Green — Grants and How They Can Help You

2009-03-18T05:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Well, spring seems to be upon us. The weather has been great and I have managed to get outside every night this week for a jog or walk. Hope it stays this way (!).

Oh, and Happy Post-St. Paddy's Day! Hope you got out for a green beer, Guinness, maybe a lamb stew, and some live jigs and reels.

On to business...

I've said it before several times: you don't need a lot to become an information marketer. In terms of materials, work space, or even the amount of money you do or don't have, information marketing is great because it's so bare bones.

However, you never know what's going to happen down the road. I always hope that that road leads you to success. If you get to this point, you are most likely going to expand your business. But, as we all know, expansion is directly proportional to available cash quantity and you might not have any to spare. This is okay as you might be able to get a grant.

Grants are everywhere. Whether you want to start a travel resort or publish a book, there seems to be an agency or foundation out there that can help. I've been reviewing a lot of the publications here at IMI and E-Wealth Daily, as my colleagues have done a lot of research into helping small businesses acquire grants. Here are the tips they all offer:

--Search the Internet: Most grant information is online. Search out the type of grant you think you may want to acquire by typing the categories into your Internet search engine i.e. "small business grant", "grants for publishing". In your searches you might discover other grants that you didn't know existed. Save the links in your "Favourites" directory of your Internet browser so you can go back to them at a later date.

--Read the instructions: That's right. Read everything. Find out if you do in fact qualify, what you have to submit to get your grant, when the deadline for application is, and who to contact for follow-up. Big print and fine print, it doesn't matter. Read it all.

--Do up a plan: Grants are not free money. You cannot expect to get one just by signing up for one. If you misuse it, there can be dire consequences for you down the road in terms of your reputation. You have to show the provider that you are serious about your project and what you intend to do with the large sum of money they are going to give you. Come up with a detailed outline of your business. Name what you are going to spend your money on, and what your future goals with the business are. Provide visual or graphic examples of your product and offer ways that the grant could help improve it.

--Be patient and keep records: Bureaucracy is sadly a part of life. Like waiting for your income tax returns, these things can take time. Do not rush the judging staff. They will respond in due time. Keep working at your business and stay focused on yourself.

**NB: When you are awarded your grant, keep all records of it in your tax files. This stuff has to be recorded for tax claims, so it is important you keep a well organized file of your grant information.

--Do not be deterred by rejection: Rejection is also a part of life. If you get turned down, don't worry. Seek out another source or apply for the same one at a later date. This is what my cousin did when he wanted to start his own engineering business. After he got turned down for one grant, he applied for another through another agency and was awarded it a few months later. If you think there is something wrong with your package, take it to an employment assistance office and they can provide the advice you need to improve your submission.

Times seem tough these days. We hear about cuts and job losses, both in the private and government sectors. But there is always cash available to help you take your business to the next level. Take your time to find them. You will not be disappointed.

For more information on some of our grant assistance publications, visit us here at the E-Wealth Daily website.

Take care,

J.

Guestimate — Some Basic Numbers for Info Marketers to Consider

2009-03-16T05:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

I just got an e-mail over the weekend from a man just starting out as an information marketer. He was asking about numbers. Very specific ones at that. This kind of questioning I like because it forces me to try and provide palpable advice to information marketers who want to start up their info marketing business.

You have to consider all kinds of numbers when starting your information marketing business. I’ve spoken about budgeting several times in the past, but there are more numbers to consider when launching your info marketing business.

Here are some to consider:

--Number of clients: You always hope that this list grows like tree roots. Still, you should always watch the numbers of your clients. Always keep tabs on times when the numbers decrease and increase, and set goals for yourself. A good marketer will have a set number, but will also set standards for a new, higher number to reach.

--Production Numbers: You never know how many actual products to create. Even if you think you are sure of the number of people that will buy the product, you never know until each item is sold, especially if they are print products. With that in mind, you can come up with some numbers based on your client base. If you have say 2000 clients on your e-mail list, you should have 2000 products to offer. Don’t go overboard with this figure as it can be costly. Speak to your local print shop and they often can cut you a deal on the number of products you want to create. Remember: you can always get more if the demand is there.

--Number of Colleagues: You are going to need help in your information marketing business, but since it’s your own venture, you should try to keep it to a minimum, due to costs of others’ services. At IMI, we have our in-house staff, plus a few others that we contract in to help us. In the event we need outside help, we get recommendations from people we trust. But the rule is that we only do this for things we cannot do ourselves.

--When the numbers get too big: This may sound comical, but you may run into a situation where there are a lot of numbers to organize, namely tax and revenue numbers. This problem isn’t unique, but it has to be dealt with. If you find yourself bogged down by the legal and financial responsibilities of your business, don’t panic. You can get an accountant to help you. They aren’t too expensive and have very skilled expertise in this area. We keep one on deck at IMI and he is always aware of ways we can save, what we owe, and some revenue ideas for the future.

Numbers can seem overwhelming, but like anything else in life, they just have to be organized. Keep on top of all numbers that you have to deal with and you will never have a problem with your information marketing business.

Hold the Phone — Setting Up Teleconferences

2009-03-13T05:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

NOTE: For all you having difficulty receiving the E-Wealth Daily, we send our apologies. There has been a technical matter at our end but our team is just resolving the issue now. We truly appreciate your patience.

Now on to more interesting matters...

I have been working a lot with my colleagues lately in doing research in finding certain products and programs for both IMI and the E-Wealth Daily. Obviously we do a lot of searching and have to scout out a lot of competitors offering the same product or service. In order to find out more about a product, the provider will often offer to set up a teleconference.

The teleconference is not a new phenomenon. My dad used to have them regularly at his job back in the Eighties. But now, thanks to the Internet, the teleconference has been upgraded to allow for better communication between two long distance parties, and this is something that an information marketer can benefit from when trying to sell products. Thus it helps if you have some guidance in how to co-ordinate a teleconference.

Here are some tips:

--Schedule: If you want to set up a teleconference, it is of the utmost importance that you create a schedule. Contact the other party and arrange the best possible time for the two of you to sit down and talk. Make sure you honour this date and be prompt when the time comes. Keeping the date highlighted in your personal agenda or scheduling it in your Microsoft Outlook can be helpful too.

--Equipment: Obviously a good, operational telephone is necessary for the teleconference, but be sure to use a one with a speakerphone option. That way you can be heard by the other party and have others sit in on the conference with you. Your local office supply store can be helpful on finding the best type of phone for you. As well, make sure you have access to an Internet hook up. We recently had a conference call with a lady from Tennessee and she used an online conferencing interface to demonstrate a product we were interested in, all of which we viewed on a colleagues computer. Depending on what your information product is, you may or may not need this option, but it can be a handy tool to have. Again, consult your software or office supply provider on what type of interface could help you on a conference call.

--Location: In my former job, there was always a large number of staff so most teleconferences were held in one of the boardrooms. All the boardrooms were soundproofed, had an Internet hook up, and a small dial in module used to connect the calls and go live through a speaker. As an information marketer, you don't likely need all this. Just make sure the area you are conversing from is free from noise and, if necessary, accessible to the Internet. That's all you really need.

--Communication: The one aspect of teleconferencing that can be daunting to others is the lack of interaction with another person. You cannot see the other person and are robbed of any informal discourse that could occur. That said it is important for you to be as professional as possible over the phone. This call is necessary to your business so you want to keep it running smoothly. Stay on task, keep a sense of humour, and talk in a way that is relevant to the subject of the conference. If you have to take notes on the call or what you want to talk about, do so. There is no shame in being prepared or ready for action.

Teleconferencing can be a great way for you to interact with clients, service people, and others who can assist your business. Take advantage of it whenever possible.

For more information, go to the E-Wealth Daily website here.

Have a good weekend.

J.

The Big Blue – Dealing with Clients Overseas

2009-03-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I was working in China, in a private school on a small peninsula, far outside of one of the country’s largest cities. For a time, I was the only native English speaker for quite a distance and the only Caucasian for an even greater distance beyond that. But I really enjoyed the solitude of being by myself and learning the life of this new country by interacting with my students and colleagues. But humans are social creatures, especially with their own brood, so everyday I would check my e-mail to see who from North America had written.

E-mail was, and still is, pretty quick. I would shoot my mom or dad a message the night before, and wake up to the replied message in my inbox. When I was much younger and living with my roving chemist father in South Korea, it used to take well over three weeks to get a letter or package by mail. Obviously correspondence has gotten quicker now, and as an info marketer, you are going to be dealing with people across oceans and miles away from your home. This is a good thing: when you talk about expanding business, you can really do it now.

With this added marketing advantage, you should know some rules of the road first:

--Simple Writing Language: Unless you are multilingual and can do translations of your information products, you are likely going to be dealing with exclusively native English speakers. That is, residents of North America, the British Isles, Australasia, parts of the Caribbean and, if possible, South Africa. Each one of these area’s English is different and often informed with slang or indigenous language influences i.e. Gaelic. There’s no way to be “hip” to them all, so as I’ve mentioned in previous messages, keep the writing simple. It really will broaden your market and make it easy for anyone who speaks English.

--Currency Changes: If you have a demand for your info products and decide to market your product to other countries outside of your own, great. Just don’t forget that the coins in your pocket are not necessarily the same value or type as the ones in someone’s from Waterford, Auckland, or Kingston. Keep abreast of the market value of your client’s currency and be ready to do a conversion so they know what they will be paying and for your product with their own money.

--Delivery Costs: We’ve all seen those infomercials on television. You see the price of an appealing product, and it looks good, but you have to take into account shipping and handling on top of that. Be ready to give this information to your customers as well. Call your postal or courier service and get an estimate of what the product would cost to ship abroad.

--Government Regulations: As well, before you send anything, check with your postal service or government websites if there are any legalities as to what you can or cannot ship to another country. It will save a hassle later on. A friend once wanted to mail a bottle to wine to family member working in a country where alcohol was banned. You have no idea what kind of trouble it put the two of them in.

A lot of people say “the world is getting smaller” as a figure of speech. In terms of modern communication, it is. But you should utilize this as an info marketer. A client base in Cape Town is as good as one down the street.

For more information, visit us at the E-Wealth Daily website here.

Notes on New Media - What You Can Use To Promote Your Info Product

2009-03-09T06:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Just when you thought it was spring...

I am not sure what's going on in your neck of the woods, but I just woke up to a nice patch of wet snow and thus had twenty minutes added on during my trip into the office. Ah well, I should not complain too much. The sun will come out in due time.

I was digging through my CD collection this past weekend. I found some old discs from my friends and favourite bands of recent years. One band had gone on to be signed by a major label, and so now this disc that sat in my collection the band had given out at a show is now something of a collector's item. They recorded this debut on a computer in the basement of a member's parents' basement back when Pro Tools and digital recording technology was something quite new. And look what happened...!

This is something I can highly recommend to all you information marketers out there. After your business is established and you see some revenue coming in, consider using some of that cash to invest in new media to promote your product(s).

Here are some suggestions that I have seen some other information marketers use:

--a CD-ROM: A CD-ROM can act as a virtual paper release for one of your information products. Suppose you had a special report or other newsletter that proved popular with your clients. You can take that same report and create a digital version of it and then bus it to a CD-ROM. This can be offered as a one-time special offer, or as a bonus to one of your existing print info products. You can use the same template as your newsletters, add some graphics, and even some colours using Microsoft Word or Paint.net, then compile them for CD-ROM release.

--a Webinar: A lot of successful info marketers are working globally these days, and as such, cannot make contact with all of their clients when they want to. Now they have turned to the digital forum to do so. You can do the same. If you have a special message and a video camera, record yourself and upload it to your website. Either that or offer it as a special bulletin to your clients. People looking at your face graphically and presenting information orally will see that there is a person behind the words and, as such, be more apt to purchase your products. Don't worry if you are not digitally savvy - you can get information on uploading videos from the Internet or from your DV retailer.

--a DVD: One fellow information marketer began hosting his own info sessions across the U.S. He saw that the session, aw well as being popular, contained valuable information to all of his contacts and he decided to record it all on video, like a live concert recording. He edited the footage down, added titles and a bit of music, and before long had a new product in his hands in the form of a DVD. This is a good option for you. If you wind up hosting an event or information session, you might want to consider creating a DVD of the session and marketing it at a future date. This type of product can be costly as you may have to hire a video editor, but it can also be very profitable in the end.

Digital media has the unique ability of being able to be utilized by anyone. And since it shares this characteristic with information marketing, the two go hand-in-hand in helping further make your information marketing business a success.

More tips and info to come, so stay tuned. For some new advice from the experts, go to the E-Wealth Daily website.

Have a good week,

J.

Avoiding Over Doing It - Discretion and Common Sense for the Information Marketer

2009-03-06T05:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Info Marketers,

A few years ago, I got a kick out of Morgan Spurlock's documentary Super Size Me, a very comedic look at the effects of fast food on our lives and many other popular consumer goods in today's marketplace. It started by a mother suing McDonald's for her children getting fat on fast food and led to the Spurlock himself going on a month long "McDiet" which wound up having dire consequences. Complete with many "wide" shots of heavy people and a soundtrack complete with "Fat Bottomed Girls" and "Rock and Roll McDonald's", the cinema earned my six bucks that night for high marks in entertainment.

Now I know: this is a documentary, and most documentaries aren't necessarily giving you the whole story in two hours. There was a lot of heavy response to this film, with people either cheering it as a call-to-action against the commercial food world, to others deriding it as false, fear-mongering, and exaggerated, Regardless of your political affiliation or opinions of the commercial food industry, the message is still the same: don't overdo it. Fast food of all kinds is a treat, not a staple food. You have to keep yourself healthy and maintain your own healthy lifestyle.

Same goes for information marketing. I've spoken briefly in the past of having restraint when working on your information marketing business, but now it's time to get into the nitty-gritty of it.

Here are some tips:

--Don't spend a lot to get started: I once took a job at a hardware store and auto centre where I was sent out to the auto shop after the boss fired the installer. All the mechanics were pretty surly guys in a comical kind of way. One thing that got their under their craw was how much gear they had to buy. Steel toed boots, upright tool chest, coveralls, and infinite numbers of hand tools. Info marketing doesn't require that much stuff and nor should it. A desk or table, a chair, a fully functional up-to-date computer, some stationery, and some reference books to what you are providing information on - that's about all. Keep it simple and don't waste money on getting all the fashionable toys that only burns a hole in your wallet and doesn't really improve your business.

--Keep production costs down: Once you get going and start producing larger information products like books or guides, monitor your output. Only produce enough copies that you know are going to sell. Do not create an excess amount of inventory as it is costly and will just clutter up your work space. A good note on this is that you can work out a deal with your printer and you can have a certain number of productions at a reduced price.

--Do not fall for scams: This is easier said than done, but as the old saying goes: "If it's too good to be true, it's likely garbage." Actually, that saying was modified by my friend's dad and I had to censor a word or two. But he's right. You can get roped into something like a new fangled computer program or outsourcing service with the intention of saving money, but it might wind up costing you more and will not benefit your business. Do your homework whenever you are getting something to assist your business and check everything right down to the fine print. At IMI, we tested three different Internet providers, complete with teleconferences and trial packages, before settling on the one we wanted. Later, one potential provider wound up being fraudulent and we wound up saving a lot of hassle due to our extensive investigation.

--Plan and plan and plan - Some things in life need to be spontaneous. A surprise for your partner, a night out with some friends,...all that great stuff. Not in business, sadly. Plan out everything with a budget and be prepared for potential disasters that lie ahead. Again, it can be hard work, but it will save infinite numbers of potential hassles in the long run.

Being an information marketer is great as you are your own boss. The only trick is that you have to act like your own boss and treat what you are doing seriously, with a discerning eye on every activity. You have to work hard, but this can be an accomplishment and will always lead to benefits down the road.

Good luck!

J.

Come visit us at The E-Wealth Daily and The Information Marketing Institute to see how we can help with your information marketing business.

All Its Own - Giving Your Info Products a Look

2009-03-04T05:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Info Marketers,

I just got a letter from a contracting friend of mine. Yes, that's correct. A hand written letter, composed on two sheets of motel stationary pad paper and complete with his comical verbage. He's in Thompson, Manitoba right now doing an engineering contract for a large firm. This place is over 700 km north of Winnipeg and bloody snowbound this time of year. I really enjoyed getting his letter though. While I love getting e-mails and texts from friends, I really appreciate the personal feel of hand written letters, greeting cards, and post cards. You can tell someone has actually put some real physical effort into writing them.

Obviously I could tell this was my friend's letter by his lively and doctor's grade handwriting. It had its own look and feel. And that's what your information products should all have. Their own look. You can create a mass amount of appeal and gain new clients by just investing some time to create a visual display for your products.

A good way to start is to create a logo and/or header for all your products. If you're more graphically inclined, you can do this by just using some pen and paper, and then doing the design on Adobe Studio or even Paint.net. Logos are meant to be simple so you may just want to create one making the text of your business name more graphically appealing. My superior Michael Lombardi did this, as you can see here. Other times you might want something with a picture or symbol. If this is required, come up with an idea and take it to a graphic designer. They can be done reasonably quickly and cheaply.

Designing both your print and online product pages is important too. Make sure they have a similar look, page-to-page, and do not radically differ in their appearance. At IMI we work closely with our in-house graphics people to make sure each page has the write logos, text fonts, layout specs, everything. I learned a bit of this firsthand from, again, watching Michael Lombardi, who always tried to keep his direct mail, newsletters, and web pages looking consistent.

Keep your writing consistent too. There can be a tendency for some people to fall off their path of best judgement after writing a lot and shoot for more "poetic" written passages. This can often fail as people will not understand what you are trying to communicate. Your writing should be kept simple and easy so that someone can pick it out of the mailbox or inbox and start reading immediately.

Once you get going with your business, you might want to send out a survey or do a product test by getting feedback on a new design. You should monitor which product designs have the best response from clients and which ones generate more negative feedback. Beverage companies will often do this, and hold market research meetings to get the public's response.

Fashion and trends work in tandem with public taste. It can be difficult to keep up with this and, let's be honest, a pretty shallow past time. But it can also be fun too. If you think of yourself like someone working for Coca Cola or Planter's Peanuts and how they have managed to continually rework their looks to changing times, you can utilize creating a look to your advantage.

Good luck and have a good week,

J.

P.S. For more information on info product marketing, click here for the Information Marketing Institute website, or go here to the E-Wealth Daily website.

The Power of the Word - Tips on Writing

2009-03-02T05:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Info Marketers,

The weather forecast is calling for winter for a while longer, but the good news is that by Wednesday we are supposed to start seeing some spring-like weather. Not sure if this is true, so I am adopting on the "I'll-believe-it-when-I-see-it" stance.

Actually, I shouldn't complain. Winter can be good. Getting outside for some skiing or skating is fun, and if that doesn't interest you, you can stay inside and do something else. One thing a friend of mine did was stay home and do some writing. He just got a job at an ad agency and is working to better his skills. I went over to see him on Saturday having not seen him for a couple of weeks. He showed me the stacks of paper he had been writing. Suffice to say I was pretty impressed.

I picked his brain for a while and asked him what he had learned about writing for banner ads and web promos, as these skills are completely applicable to information marketing. Here was what he said:

--Keep it simple - In ad writing, less is truly more. Writing simple direct statements are generally what the client wants. Avoiding five and six syllable words and convoluted ideas help immensely to creating better ad copy.

--Practice, practice, practice - Like playing music, the skill of copywriting takes time. You can't be a pro after writing a page. Some copywriters take years to hone their skill. My friend was a bit of a shut in for a good part of this winter, but he readily admits that this after-hours work is making him a more confident writer, and he is already being offered better writing projects at work.

--Don't be cute, be direct - Even if you are promoting children's toys, write like a pro. An example he used was the headline "Stack the deck in your favour!", used for a health product. It was too cute. He later reworked it to "Isn't it time you did what was right?" This question was more direct and wasn't trying to sound comical. Remember: it's the words that sell, so they have to be the best.

--When in doubt, ask the client - If you get stuck on an idea or are unsure what exactly you are trying to write about, give the client a call. Just say: "I'm just calling to confirm...". This can be helpful in finding new words or ideas to finish writing the product copy.

When it comes to writing, I cannot recommend my colleagues Adrian, John, and Mathew enough. These guys all have a ton of experience and write copy extremely well. In fact, Mathew has just put together a great report that can show you how to write moneymaking information products, even if you've never put to pen to paper in your life. Click here to learn more.

If you want to write, write. Fill notebooks and scrap paper with as many lines as you can. Read what ever print you can get to expand your vocabulary. And whatever happens, don't quit. You can only get better with time.

Good luck,

J.

P.S. Ever the teacher, I should point out some good references for all you beginning writers. These books are written by pros and can help you get started:

a. The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman.
b. The Copywriter's Handbook by Robert Bly.
c. Advertising Secrets of the Written Word by Joe Sugarman.

Joining Forces - IMI and e-Wealth Daily

2009-02-27T07:41:00.000-08:00

Good news!

Oh, sorry. Guess I should have started that better.

*ahem* Dear Information Marketers,

I was not going to make an update until Monday, but this can't wait.

Just got the message in from my colleague Adrian Newman that the Information Marketing Institute is now going to become a joint venture with the very successful e-Wealth Daily. Given the initial success IMI has been having and the already established success of e-Wealth Daily, it became a no-brainer to put the two together. This will ensure you entrepreneurs have access to ALL the best tips, publications, and news for your businesses. Everyone's working together on this and it's exciting to be part of it.

You should be part of it too.

For more information, click here to go to the e-Wealth Daily website. Our graphic design people are updating it now, so go and see what's new.

Have a good weekend,

JB

Getting Serious About Spending

2009-02-26T06:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Information Marketers,

I was having lunch with my colleague Adrian Newman and he started telling me some stories of spending. First he noticed some people at the local lottery kiosk buying large ticket amounts. Later, at the mall, he saw people buying massive amounts of electronics. And even later, he found out that a colleague who is very strapped for cash due to bad real estate investments is going on a very expensive cruise with his wife and children.

Wow.

I too have seen this kind of thing lately. When I drifted over to the local pub to see my friends the other night, I saw people needlessly buying rounds of drinks or food. Pub food and rounds of Guinness ain't cheap (sadly). My buddy back in my home town just bought a new snow machine which, given it's $10 000 price tag and the fact that it's almost March, tests the limits of irony for his declaration that "Now I can go like Hell whenever I want." And I would tell you about a cousin's VISA bill from a recent shopping spree, but, well...

Again, wow.

But what is the real lesson here? Is all spending bad? Are times that poor economically that we have to become armed guards over our own personal money reserves? Of course not. You need to spend some money on holidays, leisure time, and the like. It's human nature and allows us some much deserved luxury. But discretion is key, especially when things aren't exactly stable in the economy right now. Until the forecast changes for the better, it's best to be safe.

I hate gloom-and-doom news. It creates irrational fear and anxiety in people. But the news these days, especially in the finance pages, has not been good. Hence, it's your job to get tough with yourself. You have to cut corners and curb excesses. And as information marketers, this is especially true. Watching over your finances is so crucial, both in good financial times and in bad.

Part of being in business is staying in business. Spending large amounts of money needlessly is both wasteful and hazardous to the success of your business. If you want to stay successful, you have to watch what you spend. It's that simple.

Good luck!

JB

PS We have some new changes taking place here at IMI. Check us out here for some news and stay tuned for the next posting.

The Value of Personal Investment

2009-02-23T05:43:00.000-08:00

To all info marketers,

I hope you had a good weekend. We had lots of snow here but I managed to make the best of it and get out skiing very easily. Driving was another matter, though (!).

I got an e-mail late on Friday from another info marketer. He was confused about his expenses. Along the way, someone had told him that old maxim: "It takes money to make money." Of course, his next question was: "Well, how much...?"

It's a good question and am I ever glad he asked me first. Because I really don't have the answer. That's the truth. It would be presumptuous of me to go and tell this man how much he should and shouldn't spend on his business. They will have to learn for themselves.

I can however give some advice on some do's and don't's of investing in your own information marketing business that I know will help you:

a. DO budget yourself - I have mentioned this before and I will mention it again. Coming up with a reasonable budget of what to spend on your business and sticking to it will save you infinite problems and hassles. Consider what tools you wil need and take some time alotting the appropriate funds for the venture. Then spend accordingly.

b. DO think about the future - You cannot predict everything that is going to happen to you, either in your personal or business life. But you can prepare for as my friend John calls it "the worst case scenario". Start reading the business section of the newspaper and try to keep abreast of what the economic forecast is predicting. Be sure to save some money along the way, and monitor your expenditures and revenues closely.

c. Do NOT believe in magic, miracles, or the like - Sadly there is no magic in business. None. While some people consult psychics and spiritual advisors, I am of the opinion that commitment is the best way to go. Part of commitment in anything, be it marriage, or business, requires you to endure through tough times. My superior Michael Lombardi has endured quite a few of these but has continued on despite this. Why? He loves it and cannot imagine doing anything else with his life. Once you settle on information marketing, your perseverence and hard work will reward you, but only with commitment and planning. It's that simple.

d. Do NOT rush into it - As with the above, you can waste time and money if you move too quickly. Personal success will come, but not overnight. You have to work at it. Don't go too fast - it's not worth burning your wallet or yourself out at all.

My suggestions above might sound too simple, easy, and trivial. But they are important. Too often, entrepreneurs have fallen by the wayside because they did not remember the importance of these tidbits of information. You have to invest in yourself, but with discretion and some forethought.

For more information, visit us here at the Information Marketing Institute website.

Best,

JB

Stumped - Overcoming the Pitfalls of Writer's Block

2009-02-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Once again, we've been busy at the Information Marketing Institute. Lately, I've been conversing with my colleagues Adrian Newman, John Hurd, and Mathew LeCompte on some new product ideas. I've also been writing articles like crazy, submitting to the Info Marketing e-Hotline, as well as to some article websites online. If you haven't already signed up for the e-Hotline, click here to get started.

Doing all this writing is pretty tough, but I love it. Even on a bad day, if I can hear my fingers moving away across the keyboard, then I know things are happening. One day things weren't so hot, and the fingers weren't moving at all. I turned to Mathew and Adrian for advice. "Oh," they said. "You've got writer's block." They'd had it before.

Here were some of their tips:

a. Get out of the funk - This sounds like an AA meeting, but it's true. Get out of the funk, or get out of whatever you're doing. Stop writing. Admit you're out of ideas. Relax. Take a break. In short, do something to let your mind rest a bit.

b. Check out other media - I like to read and often go to my bookcase to dig out a novel, essay collection, or reference book for some ideas. My colleagues often check out the newspaper or trade magazines. Sometime surfing the Net or cable TV can generate ideas too. If you relax and just view these other media, you might get a fresh idea come in from out of the blue.

c. Take notes - I often have a notepad in the back of my daily agenda book. It helps if I'm on the subway or bus and overhear a conversation or see an interesting banner ad. I can jot down ideas right then and refer back to them when I have to.

d. Ask questions or phone a professional - My buddy Mike lives in Calgary and he is ALWAYS on MSN. If I need help or an idea, I shoot him a quick message and he always gets back to me. This can work for you too. If you get to meet people in your industry who can help your information marketing business, add their contact information to your e-mail contact list. Don't be afraid to message or call them if you need help. And do not be afraid to pick their brains thoroughly - sometimes you have to ask a lot to get the results you need.

You hear these horror stories about songwriters or novelists who get terrible writer's block. It's sad, especially since their career depends on them being creative. But the beauty of being an information marketer is that you can often get help if you have writer's block. There's lots of ideas out there to be shared. It's just a matter of getting them.

For more information on curing writer's block, visit us here at the Information Marketing Institute Website.

Take care,

James B.

Notes on Updating

2009-02-17T05:26:00.000-08:00

Dear Information Marketers,

Hope you all had a good weekend. Up here in Canada, we just had a holiday Monday - Family Day - and I spent all day yesterday eating good food my mom and her family cooked for me. Needless to say I made the most of that holiday, but you will forgive me the late update for Confessions of an Info Marketer.

Now that we're back in the swing of things, I thought I should provide this update with some info on, well, updating. A lot of IMI members have been asking for some advice on updating their website and how to make the most of their website.

Here are some things I do:

a. Always keep a "What's New" page - Keeping your clients informed on new developments to your business is crucial. Always provide new information to your website, no matter how big or small. You may have to struggle at times to provide new info during times of low activity, but provide your clients with some new development in your business or area of knowledge.

*Do not look at this as stressful activity - it can be a great way to come up with new creative ideas and forcing you to stay on top of your business in your clients' best interest.

b. Keep an archive - even after posting new messages, do not get rid of old material. Like a library for your business, it can be valuable to new clients who need help and advice.

c. Update on a regular schedule - I actually drew out a table for my schedule of updating this blog, the IMI website, and my online article submissions. I stick to it exclusively.

Do the same, especially with your What's New. Customers appreciate that kind of prompt service and it help make your business that much more reputable.

d. Add a new design - Rightly or wrongly, fashion and trends change. It's just how it goes. Like your home decor, sometimes your website is going to need a new look. Keep abreast of new online trends and if you feel that your website is starting to look old, update it with a more contemporary look. If you get stuck with this, look up a graphic designer or other

e. Change a new feature or icon - One of my favourite bands never wanted to put music samples online. Until recently. Now you can log onto their website and get snippets of new recordings before they are commercial available. Fans like me have already posted comments and created a new buzz for the band's new disc release. If you have a video of a seminar you held or a new splash graphic for a particular product, put it up. A new, more modern update can make your website look that much more appealing to both new and existing clients. You can create your own buzz.

Updating your website is truly one of the best things of being an information marketer. You can utilize your creative juices to come up with something really appealing for your clients and, in the end, generate even more sales. It's a great vehicle for success.

More to come. All the best for the week,

James B.

For more information, visit us here at the Information Marketing Institute.

Sources – Where to Get Ideas and Inspiration

2009-02-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Well the weekend is upon us. Here in the Great White North, the unusually balmy weather has given way to a slight chill this morning. No doubt ice will be forming and, on the plus side, some skating might be on the agenda for the weekend. If not, my bud Mike just sent over a compilation CD of Wilco, Son Volt, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the twangy-like. Either way, the weekend should be good.

At first I thought my weekend would not be so hot. My colleague just dropped me off a stack of books and literature to read. Doing homework was nothing something any of us really enjoy, but in this case I will take exception. Before me I have a box of print outs, books, and small press magazines to read for the weekend. We have some new product launches coming up so these bits of literature are going to come in handy.

Information marketing is the kind of business that always pushes you to think and create more. It’s great that way. But as we all know, these creative wells can run dry and have to be refreshed. There are several ways you can do this. Here are some things and sources rely on:

---Related Books. We have an extensive library at Information Marketing Institute. And not just books about marketing or sales – all kinds of biographies, case studies, and compendiums. Sometimes reading a history of David Ogilvy or some complied studies of a famous marketing campaign can generate new ideas quickly. This can be good for you too. Read something when your mind is blank. Visit the library and check the latest periodicals. You can get ideas for new trends and movements in your field. Even better: you might learn about what NOT to do.

--Related Websites and Blogs. Obviously you will be glued to your computer a lot with your information marketing business. Surfing the Net is never a bad thing and I am sure I don’t need to tell you how much potential information is out there. But be sure to refine your search and skip over forums or message boards that are long and not immediately informative.

--Getting in Touch With a Professional. A friend of mine is a pedal steel guitar player. He studied the instrument like mad and got really frustrated about his progress. One night after a show in a tavern, he met another, more experienced and highly successful steel player from Nashville. Mustering up confidence, he approached the musician, began talking with him, and before long they were sitting at the bar, talking, and they stayed till close. Not only did my friend learn lots that night, he had the added enjoyment of meeting an idol, sharing a drink, and having fun. You can do the same. Offer to meet up with a pro and take them out for a coffee or meal, and be sure to pick their brain. You will gain a ton of insight and you might even form a very fruitful connection that could beneficial down the line.

--Pay a Visit to a Centre of Activity. Sometimes where you are located isn’t necessarily where the action is. My boss at an old publishing job used to take frequent trips to Calgary, Madrid, and San Francisco as, at the time, that was where new publishing successes were occurring. While he may have had more money and time than you to do this, don’t be afraid to take an occasion road trip or short excursion to a place where you can learn something to benefit your business. While there, sign up for a seminar, visit a convention, or meet a competitor to see what is happening.

--Take an Extended Break. It’s quite possible that your creative juices are down because you’re overworked. Often taking a holiday allows your brain to cool down and relax. Then, all of a sudden, an idea comes out of the blue and you are ready for action again. When all else fails, do this. It might just be the ticket.

Ideas are everywhere. We are lucky as humans that our brains can generate images and ideas or untold proportion and scope. The trick is to harness and utilize them to our advantage.

Best of luck and have a great weekend,

J.

Client Relations - Tips of the Trade

2009-02-11T05:44:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Hope the week is going well and that for those of you living in the North American east, you're enjoying the surprisingly warm weather. I actually got out for a jog the other day...!

It's been very busy at the Information Marketing Institute lately. Lots of clients are sending e-mails and calling the office for tips on their information marketing business. During my lunch I had the opportunity to watch some of our customer service representatives deal with clients over the phone. Talk about professional! These people really know their jobs and how to deal with questions, queries, or problems the minute they arrive.

I took some mental notes of the whole situation and thought I'd share them with you in this post. Like our in-house staff, you are seldom going to actually deal with your clients face-to-face so it's good to be ready once the phone starts ringing.

-- Always introduce yourself and your business. A good example I picked up from one of our reps was: "Thanks for calling the Information Marketing Institute. This is [your name]. How can I help you today?" It's simple and direct. And it works!

--Listen, listen, listen. No matter how long the call might be, be sure to listen to everything the client is asking for. You will be able to deal with the problem faster.

--Keep a paper pad and pen handy. There may be a concern or two or three or four. That's a lot to remember so jot down everything you need to so you don't forget.

--Don't be afraid to get help. One benefit of Information Marketing Institute is that we have Palma, our customer service supervisor who has years of experience under her arm, right in house. If one of the reps needs help, they flag her for assistance. Do the same. If you don't have the answers right at hand, take down the client's contact information and follow up with them once you have the answer. Be prompt with your response as it strengthens the client-business relationship.

--Keep it professional. It's great to be nice, but don't indulge in too much small talk or off-topic banter. You are there to provide them a service. It's up to you to be as professional as possible and to maintain the quality of your business. Again, the client will appreciate it.

I used to work in stores and shops when I was in school. Watching our in-house client service reps brought back memories of how to deal with the public and keep your business operating smoothly. It was a good lesson to have learned and one I can share with you.

Good luck!

James Burt, Information Marketing Institute

Come check us out at: http://www.info-marketing-institute.com/

Getting Tired of the Bad News? Don't Worry...

2009-02-09T06:04:00.000-08:00

Dear Info Marketers,

The news hasn't been all that great lately, has it? If you haven't been offset by the fires and floods raging through Australia or the latest political strife on the Gaza Strip, you're probably in tune with the headlines right at home with the North American economy.

Jobs are getting cut like crazy. Nissan, Microsoft, Starbucks, Home Depot...all of the giants are cutting jobs into the six figure ranges. The message from all this is the same: if you haven't been directly affected by this, you will be.

Depressing, right? You bet it is. Talk of government bailout and personal debt doesn't help matters much at all.

But the good news is you don't have to worry. Seriously. You just have to be tough. The old adage of tough times calling for tough measures can be useful, as it forces you to be a better business person. This stance can truly help your information marketing business to only survive, but to grow as well.

My colleagues Adrian Newman and Mathew Lecompte have been working like mad and have come up with some sure fire ways to help you with your info marketing business. Go to our website for details on how you can safe guard and your info marketing business.

Remember: bad news sells a lot of newspapers and creates a lot of public panic. But it doesn't have to ruin you or your business. Learning to staying strong and driven is a quality worth striving for. Believe me, you WILL see success.

Good luck and all the best!

J.

Special Article from a Colleague

2009-02-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Info Marketers,

My good friend and colleague Mathew Lecompte has just put out a new article and will likely be invaluable to you building your information marketing business. Mathew is a seasoned copywriter and the developer of the Stay at Home and Get Rich package for IMI.

Have a look - you'll be glad you did.

Oh, and don't forget to come by the site too. We've added some new features and articles too:

http://www.info-marketing-institute.com/sign_up.html

Have a good weekend,

J.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'SINFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE

** Content Is King When Trying to Promote Online

By Mathew LeCompte, Editorial Director of the IMI

The world is starving for information. Every day, billions of people search the Internet, listen to their radios, watch TV, and read books, newspapers, newsletters and magazines. All for the goal of gaining more information.

The demand is huge. However, the supply is limited. And that's where you come in.

There are hundreds of millions of information-based mediums out there that are starving for content. They just can't keep up with the demand and, unfortunately, they sometimes are stuck and will either recycle old and out-of-date content, or just not bother updating their stuff at all.
But you, as a successful infopreneur, can contact these information sources and supply them with written content. Not only that, but because you'll be offering it to them for free (I'll explain why in a second), they'll virtually have no choice but to say yes.

And all of this will lead to more exposure for you, which in turn could result in more sales. Here's what to do:

1. Determine the Universe. Basically, search out web sites or publications similar to your expertise. For example, if you've got a product that shows how to eliminate your golf slice, go to golf news web sites, magazines, golf courses, golf shops, etc.
See if they have a newsletter or any other publication. If they do, then...

2) Contact them. Simply give them a phone call or fire off an e-mail. Explain who you are and what your product is about. Tell them you'd love to write some content for their web site or publication for free. In return, all you want is some exposure to help sell your information product.

3) When they say yes, get them your content as quickly as possible. Don't procrastinate; the quicker you get your stuff to them, the better.

Some important tips to remember:

-- Read their stuff. The last thing you want to do is to send them an article that basically matches an article they published the day before. It immediately puts a bad taste in their mouth and they might not give you a second chance to redeem yourself.

-- Find out their rules. They might have a limit on the word count of your content. If you have to edit your article down to fit their parameters, gladly do it. On the flip side, if you have to add words to make their word count, you'll have to do that, too.

-- Don't sell in your article. When writing your content, don't try and sell your info product. The key of the article is to get exposure for yourself. Linking them to your web site or mentioning that you're the author of a similar themed report is fine. But don't put on a sales push, unless you...

-- Find out if you're allowed to sell. Some web sites will allow you to put a sales push as an article. It's virtually guaranteed that they won't until a relationship has been established. But let's say you've been writing content for a web site for a month, you might be asked if you want to promote your product for sale. However, chances are you'll have to split the revenue down the middle. As long as you're still making money, I would take that deal.

-- Track your sales. The last thing you want to do is to be writing a lot for a publication that isn't getting you any sales or even exposure. Online, it's easy to track who visits your site and where they linked in from. Offline, don't be afraid to ask a customer where they heard about you. If a site isn't generating exposure for you, stop wasting your time and efforts with them and focus on the ones that are getting you sales.

Sign Up Now!

2009-02-03T10:03:00.001-08:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Hope the winter is, what's the term, "more relaxing" where you are than here. Lots of snow in the forecast, both today and through the week. Ah well...at least I won't have to worry about getting out skiing again!

If aren't a skiier however and find yourself stuck inside, why not visit our new website and sign up for our e-newsletter? My colleague Adrian has been working like crazy and has some great new tips to offer you on promoting your info marketing business. The newsletter is free and comes on a daily basis.

The winter can be long, I know. But they don't have to be bad. Not at all. And if you find yourself stuck inside, why get wealthy while you're there...?

Visit: http://www.info-marketing-institute.com/index.html

Have a great week,

J.

New Design - Take Note

2009-01-30T06:16:00.001-08:00

Dear Info Marketers,

Well it's now the end of January and it's time for a change. And one of the beauties of the digital age is that you can make changes quickly.

I redid the template - i.e. layout - of the blog just now and it took only two minutes. For those of you who keep a blog for your business, this is a good lesson; don't be afraid to change or upgrade the style of your blog. Unlike a website, it's quite easy and quick to do. Just go to the Customize icon and choose from the templates listed there. They are all current and quite stylish, so take your time to pick the best one that suits you.

Fashion and trends come and go, and it's often hard to keep up with them. But you can take advantage of this aspect by using your creative instincts to upgrade your blog and make it more attractive to prospective clients. It's easy and fun at the same time.

More information to come so stay tuned. Have a good weekend!

J.

PS Check out our new website: http://www.info-marketing-institute.com/index.html

Our graphic designer is doing a great job and it's almost ready to go.

NEW IMI WEBSITE IS ACTIVE

2009-01-29T05:29:00.001-08:00

To my fellow information marketers,

You are in for a treat. Our new website for the Information Marketing Institute is up and active. Please visit us and sign up for my colleague Adrian Newman's e-newsletter. You will NOT regret it - his tips are invaluable.

We are at: http://www.info-marketing-institute.com/

Best of luck and feel free to send more correspondence. Your queries have been thought provoking and insightful.

Best,

JB

Notice of Limited Time Opportunity - PLEASE READ

2009-01-27T12:52:00.000-08:00

Dear Fellow Info Marketers,

THIS JUST IN:

My colleague Adrian Newman has an exlusive offer for you. Please read the following - a brand new manual, hot off the presses and by one of our trusted colleagues, is ready for you. Are you interested in surfing the Internet and getting wealthy at the same time? Please keep reading.

NOTE: This IS NO JOKE. This IS a LIMITED TIME OFFER. Don't wait another moment.

Good luck,

James B.

Second Chance

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'SINFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE
--- A special message from Adrian Newman, Founder of the IMI ---

On Thursday, I sent out an e-mail about your only notice to get a fantastic new product that could help supplement your info marketing income, even if you haven't started your business yet.

However, due to a technical glitch, this message didn't get sent to all of my readers and for that I apologize.

Please see below for the full transcript of the message as it is very important. Basically, this is your second chance to get in on this great opportunity.

--- Originally sent Thursday, January 22, 2009---
Dear e-Hotline Reader,

I'm writing to you today to let you in on a little secret that could get you some extra money from your information marketing business.

Even if you haven't started an info marketing business yet, you can still benefit from this secret.
The creator is named Max Sparrowson. He's a regular guy just like you and I, except for one difference: Max knows how to work the Internet so well that he gets checks mailed to him almost every single week.

I met Max almost two years ago and, when I first met him, I thought he was crazy. The reason was simply because he told me that all he did every day was surf the Internet and get paid for it.
Sure he was doing some selling of an information product, but it goes way further than that. In fact, what Max was able to do online was like nothing I'd ever seen before.

So, I convinced him to write it all down in a manual -- and the results were amazing.
I mean every single page of this book is its own little bit of moneymaking knowledge that I think you should have in your hands right now.

Because what's inside could allow you to pull in an extra income, on top of what you're making right now, even if you're making zero.

Please click on the link below now to read what Max has to say and how you can get a copy of his amazing book.

http://www.lombardipublishing.com/ads/bdem/index.asp

Regards,

Adrian Newman

P.S. I've never made an offer like this to you, an IMI e-Hotline reader, before. This is the only notice I'm going to make about this incredible book. Once I've exhausted the copies I've received, I can't guarantee more supply. Click on the link right now:

http://www.lombardipublishing.com/ads/bdem/index.asp
---
Dear Reader: There is no magic formula to getting rich. Success in any wealth-building or business opportunity can only be achieved through proper and rigorous research, and plain, old-fashioned hard work. The opinions in this e- newsletter are just that -- opinions of the authors. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate.
---
Copyright (c) 2009 Information Marketing Institute, a division of Lombardi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. Full reproduction of this e-newsletter in any manner, without written permission from the copyright holder, is not allowed.---

Visit us at: http://www.info-marketing-institute.com/

IMPORTANT: Writer's Block and Legalities

2009-01-23T07:06:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Here are some tips from us at IMI. This stuff is probably our most important stuff yet so don't be afraid to take some notes and feel free to leave some comments too.

Best,

J.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips to Curing Writer's Block

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'SINFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE

Tips to Curing Writer's Block... Better Safe Than Sorry: Some Common Problems You Can Avoid... And more!

By Adrian Newman, Founder and Director of the IMI

Most times, when I write, the words flow out so easily that I have a hard time stopping.
However, there are some times that I just can't get started, because I've got some sort of writer's block. And, yes, even though I'm writing about something I'm both knowledgeable and passionate about, I can still get stuck.

And when you're in information marketing, selling advice and knowledge, writer's block can literally hold you back from making money.

So here are a few tips I've learned to help cure writer's block:

Tip #1: Stop Trying to Write: Whenever I get stuck, if after about half an hour I'm still staring at a blank page, I turn my monitor off and walk away from the computer.
I'll go grab a coffee, take a walk, even get in my car, put on the radio and take a short drive.
Basically, what I'm trying to do is clear my mind. You see, when the writer's block occurs, my mind will be 100% focused on trying to write. Once that anxiety and worry is gone, I can get back to the computer and, more often than not, start writing again.

Tip #2: Talk to People: Sometimes when I encounter writer's block and I can't clear my mind, I'll talk to someone. But I don't just talk about anything. I'll ask them something related to the topic I'm writing about.

For example, if I had to write a report on creative ways to get financing for your business, and I get stuck, I would call a friend who I know has some experience in the field.
I won't interview them or even tell them the purpose of my call. I'll just ask them, "What's new?" or "How's business?" More often than not, during the course of our conversation, I'll start writing again.

Even if they don't have anything to say, they might ask me "What's new?" I get talking and then, lo and behold, I'm writing again, because the conversation triggered something to help overcome the writer's block.

Tip #3: Transcribe a Book. I know this sounds silly, but if my writer's block is absolutely horrible, I'll actually open up a book and start copying it.
Now, I'm not saying that I plagiarize, because I pick up any book and turn to any page and just start typing. I don't even save or print what I type. All I'm doing is getting my fingers going on the keyboard.

Sort of like a rolling start with a car. You know, when you have to have friends push it while you start the engine? Well, my "friends" are my fingers and the "engine" is my brain. I find that just by physically typing, I can overcome writer's block.

Try any one of these tips if you have trouble writing your information product. They work for me, and will hopefully work for you, too.

*************************************************
Better Safe Than Sorry: Some Common Problems You Can Avoid

By James Burt, Online Marketing Specialist

You always want to make your business the best it can be. Naturally, you're going to hit some pitfalls along the way. Mistakes are just an everyday part of life. But if you are committed to making your business a success, then you are probably alert to some bad things that may lie ahead for you already.

Here are some tips on avoiding some popular and potentially disastrous business mistakes.

--- Watch Your Budget: This is probably the most important advice ever. While the old maxim of, "You have to spend money to make money? is true, don't go overboard. Construct a reasonable, workable budget and stick to it as closely as possible. Too often, entrepreneurs forget this when they are starting out and they wind up broke or, worse yet, bankrupt.

--- Keep it Legal: Make sure you keep your business legitimate and don't be tempted to do anything that may get you into trouble. Be wary of issues like copyright, trade-marking, etc. If you are unsure of whether the material you are putting on your blog or web site is someone else's, do some research or consult a legal professional to be sure. These precautions will save headaches later on.

--- Be Sure of Yourself: In providing information to clients, much like a school term paper, always use reliable sources. You could lose clients or seriously ruin your reputation by providing false information. Always be sure of your information from reliable resources, e.g. industry professionals, and government publications.

--- Stay on Top: Time stops for no one or nothing. Rightly or wrongly, trends change and it's important for you to keep up with them. Make sure you watch what your competitors are doing, attend information sessions or seminars, and take on new challenges that will enhance your business.

--- Enjoy and Take Care of Yourself: It's important to work at what you love, but don't overdo it. Nobody is superhuman, so it's important you eat properly, exercise, and get sleep. Remember: having your own business is a lifelong commitment. Always look to the future to see how you will still be enjoying and working at what you love years from now.

As mentioned earlier, making mistakes is a part of life. If you make them, learn from them. In the meantime, you can use these basic tips to avoid potential problems in the future.
But don't forget: working to prevent potential ones from happening is never a waste.
---
Dear Reader: There is no magic formula to getting rich. Success in any wealth-building or business opportunity can only be achieved through proper and rigorous research, and plain, old-fashioned hard work. The opinions in this e- newsletter are just that -- opinions of the authors. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate.
---
Copyright (c) 2009 Information Marketing Institute, a division of Lombardi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. Full reproduction of this e-newsletter in any manner, without written permission from the copyright holder, is not allowed.
---

Visit us at: http://www.info-marketing-institute.com/

New eNewsletters For Your Reference - Myths of Info Marketing, e-Advice, and Some Info From Bill

2009-01-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 15, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'SINFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE

Bill's Little Piece of Info Marketing Heaven... Creating an A-1 E-Letter... And more!

** Bill's Little Piece of Info Marketing Heaven
By Adrian Newman, Founder and Director of the IMI

Let me tell you the story of my good friend Bill.

Bill is a copywriter living in Philadelphia. His day consists of getting up each morning, having a cigarette, reading the paper, logging on to his home computer and writing a couple of words here and there.

He might head out to the gym at some point in the afternoon, maybe grab a bite to eat, then it's back to the "grind" of copywriting.

At the end of the day, he and his wife, who works as a freelance designer from home as well, might go to their neighbors' for dinner or enjoy a nice relaxing night at home with one of their two daughters.

Now, Bill hasn't written a lot of direct mail copy for me recently. And yet, I still send him checks on a regular basis.

Why? Well, a while ago, Bill wrote a book about how he's been making money in the information marketing business. It's a fantastic book and I recommend it to anyone looking to make money in this industry.

Now, I helped him write it and I published it for him and helped him market it. And yet, he's the only one who gets a royalty check from it.

He loves it. He calls it "my own piece of info marketing heaven!"
And every time I call him, he reminds me of how great it was to get his story in print.

You see, this could easily be you. With apologies to Bill, he's nothing spectacular. He just has a lot of information on a specific subject tucked away in that "caffeinated brain" of his that he was able to spill out on paper.

And I'm willing to bet that you've got the same potential for your own slice of info marketing heaven. So here's what I want you to do:

As soon as you finish reading this e-mail, grab a pen and paper and write down five subjects that you consider yourself an expert in.

They can be as crazy and obscure as you want them to be (just as long as they're legal!).

For example, you might be the kind of person who collects coins from Eastern European countries from post World War II. Or you might have a knack at repairing toaster ovens without spending more than $5 on parts. If you can teach someone how to cha-cha, that's a marketable skill in this industry.

The sky's the limit. Bill could easily write a dozen more books on different subjects and sell the books or reports. And, in fact, he probably will sooner than later.

All you need is an idea, a little time and a way to find the people that want to pay for your information.
*************************************************
** Creating an A-1 E-Letter

By James Burt, Online Marketing Specialist

Maintaining your information business can be a tough job, no question. But it can also be fun, too. You just need to apply the same enthusiasm and creativity you used to build your blog.

Like I mentioned in the last e-Hotline, a regular newsletter is a good idea. It keeps your customers informed on what new products you are offering and, more importantly, makes them feel they are real associates or members of your business.

Here are some tips on creating a good e-newsletter:
1. Write it like you were writing a personal letter. Starting it with "Dear Fellow Associate" or "Dear Member," keep the language simple, courteous and to the point.

2. Keep them informed. Remember, these people are your clients and they should have information as to what you are providing for them. Knowing what products, discounts and services you offer is what they are subscribing to your newsletter for.

3. Keep it brief. There is no need for your clients to know everything about your business. Keep them aware of any new changes you may have or any new products becoming available. Anything else is unnecessary.

4. Be respectful. Again, these are your clients. Don't forget the lines like "we appreciate your continued support?" or "thanks again for your patronage?" That positive attitude will never go unnoticed by your clients.

5. Make it attractive. Use your other electronic tools like Microsoft "Word," "Photoshop" or Paint.net to create a template for your letter. Include a letterhead with your logo, company name, and contact information, plus some graphics. Just don't get too creative. At the end of the day, your customers are there to read the words of your letter. Too many graphics and colors take away from what you have to say.

*If you have problems creating a template for your newsletter, take it to a friend or graphic designer who is more skilled. Like your letter itself, all of this design is done electronically these days and is dirt cheap. While you shouldn't copy other people directly, you can also consult other newsletters for ideas...maybe the one you are reading now(!).

I cannot stress the importance of a good e-newsletter. They can be fun to create and yet still do the job you want: keeping your customers interested in your business. If your customers forward your letter to their friends, there is no telling what business potential lies ahead for you.
---

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'SINFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE

The Last Myth of Information Marketing Debunked... More Blogging Advice... And more!

By Adrian Newman, Founder and Director of the IMI

So, for the past couple of days, I've told you that you don't need to be a good writer and don't need to have a lot of money to become successful in the info marketing business.

Well, today I'm going to debunk the last myth of info marketing:

You need to have an original idea to create an info marketing product.

You read it right. You do not have to have an original idea or an original piece of writing to make it big in information marketing. In fact, you could probably make more money by taking someone else's idea, re-packaging it and then selling it on your own.

Have you heard of Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich?" It's a great book that I highly recommend you read if you haven't done so already.

And if I wanted to, I could sell you a copy of it for $14, just like Amazon does.
But did you know that "Think and Grow Rich," along with many other books, songs and other creative works, is in the public domain?

This means that you can not only get them for free, but you can also sell them royalty-free.

Now, you're probably wondering, "Why would anyone buy something from me that they could get free from the public domain?"

Well, the public domain doesn't market to customers. They don't advertise all the great stuff they have; therefore, not a lot of people know about the public domain.

Chances are you've probably bought something at some point that was offered elsewhere for free. If you'd had only known about it, you could've taken advantage of it.

But the fact is that someone marketed something to you so well that you were compelled to buy it. So, if you can go into the public domain and grab a publication and market it correctly, you could very well have a great little business going.

I could go on and on about this topic. Instead, I've created a web page for you to check out that tells you even more about this great way to get free publications that you can sell for your very own. Click on the link below now:

http://www.lombardipublishing.com/ads/forgotten_riches_title17/index.asp
*************************************************
More Blogging Advice

By James Burt, Online Marketing Specialist

In the last e-Hotline, we went through building your own blog. I hope you had fun building it, and were able to apply some creativity in the process. Now you have something on the World Wide Web where potential customers can visit, check you out, and get interested in your business.

Now it's time to show you other ways of creating and maintaining a client base with the Internet. Remember: once you get customers, it's important for you to keep them.
When people come to your blog and begin communication with you, you can do a number of things to keep them coming back.

Here are a few tips:

1. Get them to sign up for your e-mail list. This gives the client the feeling of being a special "member" of your special business.

2. Send out a regular e-newsletter. This provides customers with updates about your business and what special offers you have for them. If you have a special premium or offer, include it in your newsletter.

*You will need some organization with this and you have to be consistent with the delivery of your e-newsletter. Come up with a schedule that works best for you and send it on a regular basis. As an example, at IMI, we send one of our e-Hotlines out every day. Or you could do it every other day.

3. See if your customers have a blog or web site as well. If they do, offer to post your blog link on theirs. This opens up doors to many new potential customers. You may even want to place your ads on their blogs as well. Be sure to extend them the same courtesy as well, as it can benefit both of you.

4. Update your blog regularly, perhaps biweekly or monthly. This can be as simple as changing the format or displaying new information. Customers will see you are truly passionate about your business and will want to be kept up-to-date with all changes you make.
Like I said in a previous e-Hotline, the sky is the limit in the electronic world. And since it's free, don't be afraid to brainstorm to expand your business. Nothing will make you more successful than the genuine love of what you do.

Stay tuned for next time for more updates on using the Internet to help your info marketing business grow.
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Dear Reader: There is no magic formula to getting rich. Success in any wealth-building or business opportunity can only be achieved through proper and rigorous research, and plain, old-fashioned hard work. The opinions in this e- newsletter are just that -- opinions of the authors. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate.
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Copyright (c) 2009 Information Marketing Institute, a division of Lombardi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. Full reproduction of this e-newsletter in any manner, without written permission from the copyright holder, is not allowed.---
You are receiving this e-newsletter because you either asked to receive it or because you are a member of the Information Marketing Institute and are receiving THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'SINFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE as part of your paid membership.

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Information Marketing InstituteLombardi Publishing Corporation 110 Wall Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10005-3817

Visit us at: http://www.info-marketing-institute.com/

2009-01-16T06:12:00.000-08:00

To my fellow info marketers,

Hope your weekend plans are shaping up nicely.

My colleague John just sent me this great link about the benefits of blogging. Here we have a young fellow who not too long ago was apprehensive about creating his own blog. Now it has become the best decision he could have ever made.

http://bizbox.slate.com/blog/2009/01/four_ways_blogging_helped_me_s_1.php

More archived e-newsletters to come later today.

Best,

J.

New eBulletins Update

2009-01-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Hope the cold isn't getting to you. Here are some recent eBulletins we sent out. Hope the tips are helpful.

Best,

J.

The First Myth of Information Marketing Debunked

Monday, January 12, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'S INFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE
The First Myth of Information Marketing Debunked... An Introduction to Blogging... And more!

By Adrian Newman, Founder and Director of the IMI

The question I've been getting lately from many IMI members is, "How do I get started writing my first publication?"

This is usually followed by either, "I've never written a thing in my life" and/or, "I have nothing of interest to write."

So let me clear up some myths and misconceptions before you start putting pen to paper, starting today with:

Myth #1: You need to be an expert writer to become a rich and successful information marketer.
This is really far from the truth and I'm living proof. My writing will never be mistaken for Stephen King and I know that. Sometimes, when the ideas flow to me, they come as a tidal wave and I type with reckless abandon. When I get a colleague to read it, they look at what I wrote as if it were in a foreign language.

That's why I've got an editor who looks at everything and helps clean up my mess. Sure, "spell check" is great, but it doesn't catch everything.

So, do you need a professional editor to go over your publication? Well, that depends.
If you can afford it, a professional copy editor might charge around a penny a word. If you wrote a 100-page document, that might be around 40,000 words, which would cost you about $400 in editing.

Another option is to give copies of your book, report or web site to friends or colleagues. A second or third pair of eyes can catch a lot and plus you're getting a different view from a new reader who might have questions about what you're writing.

Either way, you don't have to be a good writer to make money in this business. And don't feel intimidated when getting the help of a professional editor.

Here's a quick story: Years ago, I wrote a special report and gave it to an editor. She had a master's degree and made sure that everyone knew it.

After reading the report and marking it up with more red ink than the Big Three automakers used this year, she repeatedly pointed out what I was doing wrong, using a condescending tone while doing it.

Well, the report that I wrote went on to generate over $400,000 in revenue and, while she was paid to help edit, it was the idea behind the writing -- my idea -- that generated the income.

Sure, she was paid for editing my report, but nowhere near the amount I was for writing it.
So, the moral of the story is: don't be shy about giving an editor or anyone else your copy to edit. Good editors will make the corrections and suggestions and leave it at that. And if you get an "editing snob," don't worry about it. Chances are, you're going to be making more money than them anyway.
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An Introduction to Blogging

By James Burt, Online Marketing Specialist

There is nothing like the excitement of getting new clients for your new information marketing business.

Building a solid client relationship is the key to success for your business. And there are lots of opportunities for you to expand your business.

One of the best ways to do so these days is a blog.

What are blogs, you ask? Blogs are web sites written by an individual with specific subjects, commentaries and opinions. The word "blog" is a contraction of the word "Web log." It's basically an online journal.

Blogs have become that perfect combination of the Yellow Pages, community message board, and a business conference. Messages are posted. Ideas are exchanged. Everyone has access to new global trends and concepts. And the best part: they are free to explore and use.

Take some time and search out blogs related to your business using your Internet search engine. Click on a few, read them and, once you find the best ones, you can add messages and, best yet, the link to your business web site. You would be amazed at how many people will search you out.

More searches mean more potential customers.

The resource I like to use is Blog Catalog (http://www.blogcatalog.com/). I can search some general phrases like "home repair" and get over 8,700 different blogs or be specific and type in "fix my golf swing slice" and get just over a thousand different blogs.

The sky is truly the limit these days. The more you make yourself available to potential clients, the more business you could get. It really is that simple.

Next time, I'll talk about what it takes to start your own successful blog that could help you attract more potential customers to your business.---

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The Second Myth of Information Marketing Debunked
Tuesday, January 13, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'S INFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE

The Second Myth of Information Marketing Debunked... Creating Your Own Blog... And more!

By Adrian Newman, Founder and Director of the IMI

Yesterday, I talked about the first myth of information marketing: that you need to be a great writer to be successful.

Today, I'm going to talk about the second great myth, which is that you need a lot of start-up capital to ensure success with your information marketing business.

That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, in my opinion, you could start your very own information marketing business without spending more than a few hundred dollars.

If you have access to a computer with an Internet connection (and since you're reading this e-hotline, I assume that you do), you have virtually everything you need.

To start writing your marketing and product, all you need to do is visit http://www.openoffice.org/.
There, you can download an entire suite of word processing, spreadsheet and graphics software for free.

This is how you will produce your book or special report, web site or direct mail package.
Once you've created your product and your marketing, it's time to get the word out. Create a direct mail campaign. It won't cost you as much as you think. All you have to do is get a mailing list from a list broker, print your written direct mail piece, and send it all out in the mail.

Or you can create a blog (see James Burt's series on blogging below) or a web site and get the message out there for free.

If you're going to use the online route, remember to get a merchant account (like PayPal) so you can accept payment for your new, hot-selling report.

The key to online sales is getting people to visit your blog or web site. That's where organic and inorganic search engine marketing comes in to play. I'll delve into that a little later.
The cost for all this is relatively inexpensive. What you don't need is a workforce, office space, high tech equipment or fancy software.

In fact, I recommend starting your new information marketing business in as bare bones a fashion as possible. A computer, a table top, and Internet access are really all you need. As you grow, get more things you need to help you cope with your increased business.

It's actually a great feeling when you get overwhelmed with orders, because you know your business is working. It beats the opposite: sitting there in your rented office space, twiddling your thumbs in front of your state-of-the-art computer while your new employees play online solitaire, waiting for work.

Start small, start cheap and reap the rewards!
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Creating Your Own Blog

By James Burt, Online Marketing Specialist

Building a blog can be a fun way for you to expand your information marketing business. Unlike building a web site, you don't have to know any fancy computer language. As long as you have basic Internet skills, you can build one from home for free.

Heck, blogs are ready-made for people looking for free online advertising for their business.

So, what's stopping you from building one?

Here are some step-by-step instructions on how you can build your own blog:

1. Search out a blog server. You can do this by typing "blogs" into your search engine. You'll probably get a few selections with your search; I used Blogger.com.

2. Register with the server. This is like registering for an e-mail account, and you'll likely see icons asking for your e-mail address and password. It's pretty easy.

3. Once you've registered, the server will likely ask you to select a layout template. There are usually a few options here, with different kinds of colors, borders and graphics. Take the time to find the one you think best represents you and your business.

4. After you've done your layout, you'll come to the blog design page. This is the fun part. If you click on CUSTOMIZE, you have the opportunity to give your blog a title, a biography of yourself, and a large space to make postings. Again, take time to customize your blog the way you want it to look.

5. Don't be afraid to add a few graphics, photos or, if you have them, videos. On our blog, we added our IMI logo and archived our old e-bulletins.

6. Keep your blog updated. Log on to it regularly and post news about your business and related web site links, and answer questions from others who may have come and written something on your page.

Just so you have a reference, visit our blog at http://infomarketingstarter.blogspot.com/. I hope it serves as inspiration for you. And feel free to leave a posting. Remember: blogs are interactive and are a great way to exchange ideas and tips with others.

Next time, we'll talk about other ways to maintain your client base electronically.
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Dear Reader: There is no magic formula to getting rich. Success in any wealth-building or business opportunity can only be achieved through proper and rigorous research, and plain, old-fashioned hard work. The opinions in this e- newsletter are just that -- opinions of the authors. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate.
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Copyright (c) 2009 Information Marketing Institute, a division of Lombardi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. Full reproduction of this e-newsletter in any manner, without written permission from the copyright holder, is not allowed.

Visit us at: http://www.info-marketing-institute.com/

Last Week's eBulletins

2009-01-12T10:30:00.001-08:00

Hey all,

Here are some of the eBulletins that were issued last week. Have a look for tips and information.

Good luck,

J.

Have Other Info Marketers Gladly Give You Their Customers

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'S INFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE
Special Message from Adrian Newman, Founder and Director of the IMI

Dear Friend,
I trust you had a happy New Year and are raring to go with making some money with your information marketing business.

One of the important keys to any business is an online presence. And this is especially important with an information marketing business, because the product (your knowledge or passion in print) can easily be transferred from paper and ink to a digital format.

And that's why I've hired an online marketing specialist to help give you all the great online marketing tips. His name is James Burt and he'll be doling out his advice regularly through the IMI e-Hotline. You can read his first column below.

As said before the New Year, I'm also in the final stages of the IMI web site. It should be up before the end of this month. And I'm also in the process of several interviews with some of the greatest minds in the information marketing minds in the industry and I'll be forwarding those to you in the near future.

For now, here's James Burt with some valuable online marketing advice to help grow your info marketing business.

Regards,

Adrian Newman

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Have Other Info Marketers Gladly Give You Their CustomersBy James Burt, Online Marketing Specialist

Dear Fellow Info Marketer,

First of all, allow me to introduce myself.
My name is James Burt and I'm the online marketing specialist here at the IMI. My background is in electronic publishing and Adrian Newman recruited me to the team last month.
The great part about my new job now is that I get to show you how to build and grow your own information marketing business using the virtually infinite amount of online strategies available to you.

And let me start off 2009 by giving you a key online marketing tip that you can use to help grow your customer base...even if it's at zero right now.

That tip is linking your web site to other related web sites that already have an established customer base and that are willing to use your content to help fill up their web space.
For example, let's say you have an interest in astrology and you've written a report outlining your predictions for this coming year.

Go to a popular search engine and type in "astrological predictions." You're going to find close to 400,000 web sites. Browse through the sites and find one that specializes in providing free content to the readers.

Contact the owner of the site (chances are good that they'll have contact info on the site) and ask them if they would be interested in posting a small article written by you. They'll look at this as free content. For you, it's free advertising.
Tomorrow, I'm going to show you how to monetize this relationship and turn the readers of someone else's web site into your potential customer.
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Dear Reader: There is no magic formula to getting rich. Success in any wealth-building or business opportunity can only be achieved through proper and rigorous research, and plain, old-fashioned hard work. The opinions in this e- newsletter are just that -- opinions of the authors. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate.

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Keeping it Real in Info Marketing

Thursday, January 8, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'SINFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE

Keeping it Real in Info Marketing... Turning Leads into Customers... And more!

** Keeping it Real in Info Marketing By Adrian Newman, Founder and Director of the IMI
I was talking to a marketing colleague of mine (who happens to be a lawyer) the other day and he revealed to me a new term I hadn't heard before: "puffery."
Puffery is when you boast about how great either you are or your business is or a specific product is. There's technically and legally nothing wrong with puffery, just as long as it doesn't cross the line.

So, for example, when I say that I turned four pieces of paper into $338,107.59 in under 16 months, this is a form of puffery. It's 100% accurate, but I'm using a cold, hard fact to help me boast about my accomplishments.

Most successful businesses use this form of marketing. Whether they call themselves "The Very Best" or "Number One" or reveal the many awards they've won, it is a form of puffery.
And, like I said, it's a great way to market your very own info marketing business. If you have written a report that shows how to, for example, handicap horse races to increase your chance of winning, and you want to include in your marketing that you've won thousands of dollars in just 30 days from using your system, go for it. Heck, repeat it at least three times in your marketing.

However (and you probably knew this was coming), if you don't have the facts to back up your puffery, you are misleading your customer, which might get you a sale, but could result in a lot of problems down the road.

The key in any successful business is honesty. If you cannot back up your claims, don't use them. For example, if you're offering a tax savings publication and you're claiming that you've helped thousands of people save at least $500 each on their taxes, then you'd better be prepared to show that fact. If it's not true, don't print it.
But if it is true, print it as big and as bold as you want. Heck, get one of your customers to write you a testimonial. (And yes, you can write the testimonial for them as long as they sign off on it).
Long live puffery!

Adrian Newman
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Turning Leads into Customers
By James Burt, Online Marketing Specialist

Dear Fellow Info Marketer,

The opportunities for you to build your own wealth in information marketing are limitless. It is just a matter of knowing how to get people interested in what you have to offer.
In yesterday's newsletter, I began showing you strategies that you can use to build your own information marketing business.

You get a web site related to your business to post an article written by you. That is free advertising.

Now what?

People who see your article will want to know more about you. The best way for you to do that is to provide a link to your web site. It doesn't have to be fancy. What it should have though is a full explanation of the benefits of the product you're offering.

Heck, go one better and get them to sign up for your web site. Offer them something of value like a membership or a special report that acts as a preview to other information products you want to sell later.

The end result is that you will start to build up a client base that you can develop a relationship with and, later on, you can monetize that relationship.

Building this relationship is crucial to the success of your information marketing business. You will be amazed at how many people will come seeking out online you and what you have to offer.

Once you get them interested, you can keep them coming back time and time again.
Next time, I'm going to explain more about maintaining a solid client relationship and give more tips on how you can secure even more customers.

Good luck!
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Dear Reader: There is no magic formula to getting rich. Success in any wealth-building or business opportunity can only be achieved through proper and rigorous research, and plain, old-fashioned hard work. The opinions in this e- newsletter are just that -- opinions of the authors. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate.
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Copyright (c) 2009 Information Marketing Institute

WELCOME!

2009-01-12T08:53:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Confessions of an Info Marketing Beginner!
This is blog was created to help you with your information marketing business.
Join me, James Burt - Info Marketing Specialist, as I guide you along with tips, postings, and information on how you can be an information marketing success.

Stay tuned...