New eBulletins Update

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.

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