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.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Information Marketer's Public Persona
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.
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.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Notes on Embellishment in Info Marketing
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Information Marketing that Really Helps
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Information Marketing for those "Other" Markets
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.
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.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Information Marketer Gun for Hire
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.
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.
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Worst Kind of Info Marketer
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.
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.
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