List Building Superstars - June 21, 2007 Teleseminar.

Ross Goldberg -
Web 2.0 List-building Secrets Revealed.

June was a big month at Gajapati Subudhi's List Building Superstars (LBS). Numerous success stories were told, and savvy note takers feasted on a potpourri of expertise.

On this call, Ross Goldberg, a relative newcomer to Internet Marketing (2 years), shared his personal insights and experiences. Goldberg is quickly establishing himself as a Web 2.0 expert with impressive, start-of the-art techniques and income-oriented learning. For six consecutive months, Goldberg has created two products monthly to claim $400k in his first year online.

Significant health issues have not derailed Ross Goldberg's Internet dreams. Endless 14-18 hour days spent researching the Internet have made him a pioneer in social bookmarking techniques. Goldberg's Web 2.0 strategy builds on personal experience acquired with several Internet marketing staples:

- eBay selling techniques
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Traffic generation


Making Money Early and Often.

To earn money quickly, Ross Goldberg stresses three factors:

1. Personal accountability. Don't make excuses for yourself! Everyone fails, but how you deal with failure is what determines your business success.

2. A magnetic personality.

3. Genuine curiosity about how things work that develops into expertise over time.


What is Web 2.0 Anyway?

Web 2.0 was a term first used and popularized in 2003-04 by O'Reilly Media, and refers to an emerging generation of web-based communities and hosted services (web logs, social bookmarking sites, online audio & video repositories, social network marketing sites, etc.) that encourage greater collaboration and sharing amongst users. Unlike Web 1.0, which is characterized by command-driven content, Web 2.0 ushers in the era of user-created content.


How Web 2.0 Affects List-Building.

Web 2.0's implications for list-building are deemed positive by Ross Goldberg. The purpose of your online sales funnel may remain the same (i.e. grab customers' attention, entice them to join and stay on list, make purchases) but newer techniques will improve its flow and management.

Whereas Web 1.0 list building essentially came down to squeeze pages and e-mail relationship marketing, Web 2.0 offers a variety of tools that broaden a list builder's reach. Google, MySpace, YouTube, and Squidoo are at the forefront of an Internet business revolution that encourages immediate user interactivity. Increasingly accessible audiovisual technology allows marketers to connect at a deeper level with prospects. For example, there is a way to put your links on other people's videos! All of which makes it easier to ask the almighty question:

"What do you want to buy from me?"

Work Habits to Live by.

With traffic generation and SEO expertise becoming increasingly commonplace, Ross has dedicated himself to becoming the Web 2.0 expert that newcomers and marketing "gurus" alike can turn to. To that end, he has adjusted his work habits to account for Fibromyalgia and a chronically poor memory. For example, Goldberg takes notes directly on his PC. He plays games on his XBox when caught in a marketing "fog", and chooses to advance multiple projects simultaneously. For the rest of us, though, he strongly recommends focusing on one project at a time until it is finished - or dead.


Ross' Three Web 2.0 List-Building Strategies.

Ross Goldberg shared his preferred online tactics and vision to achieve profitable ends.

1. Internet Video: The best way to get targeted customers into your sales funnel without resorting to bonuses or freebies. The video presentation should speak for itself and attract subscribers who will value your e-mail correspondence. A responsive list that will be receptive to surveys and other forms of interaction.

2. Social Networking: The best alternative to face-to-face communication. Get involved in select forums, niche discussion groups. Long-term strategy that positions you as an expert. Use tagging and bookmarking techniques to become more viral.

3. Blogging: Deal with and write about real issues. Boring, diary-like musings are a waste of time and bandwidth! Quality content shows that you are a real person and serious about your niche.


Final (but Essential) Words of Advice.

- Treat your Web 2.0 activity like a business.
- Be selective about partnerships and alliances, because there are a lot of fake "experts" online. Carry out research and due diligence into prospective business partners, and protect yourself with copyrights and written contracts.
- Schedule each day according to your priorities and capabilities.
- Your favorite traffic generation method plus Web 2.0 branding will build your list. "Ethically" replicate the list-building habits and tactics of successful competitors, then provide top-quality, unique content for subscribers.
- Use people around you to push yourself towards your goal, your success.

Conclusion.

Ross Goldberg is a prime example of playing to your strengths and knowing how to compensate for actual weaknesses. He is at the forefront of profitable Web 2.0 marketing, because he had the vision and drive to pursue it. Whether or not Web 2.0 "humanizes" the Internet paradigm is the Information Age debate of the decade. For now, all interested parties can at least agree that profound change is upon us.

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Rahul Majumdar is a full-time information marketer specializing in teleseminar reporting, article marketing, and information product creation.

List Building Superstars - June 27th Teleseminar.

Simon Leung - Google Adwords List-Building.

Summer began with a bang at the List Building Superstars (LBS) teleseminar course. Gaj Subudhi and Kit Furey welcomed Simon Leung to listeners eager to demystify Google Adwords and decide once and for all whether it is a legitimate list-building tool.

On the surface, Leung is a logical person to learn Adwords from. After all, as a highly sought-after speaker and information product creator, Simon has earned over half a million dollars in the past twelve months. Even more interesting is the fact that he was a founding member of Google's Adwords division, and spent 4.5 years as a leading support specialist and optimization strategist before resigning in August 2006.

So, Why did You Leave Google, Simon?

While attending an Internet Marketing live event in Spring 2006, Simon was exposed to business and personal growth possibilities that proved too tempting to pass up. Sure, he was well-established at Google, but after years of pushing the Adwords envelope on behalf of his internal and external clientèle, Leung felt the time was right to pursue new challenges. The corporate learning curve may have flat-lined, but as a full fledged "Google-preneur", Simon could continue exploring and still be in position to help others.


The Importance of List-Building.

We all know - or should know - that sales and marketing is NOT a numbers game. Nor is it a recruitment game. It's all about building lasting relationships with your audience that encourage loyalty to the most important brand in the world - YOU!

How can newcomers start building their Adwords-based list? Simon says we should start by offering a free report - on Adwords optimization, for example - as part of our squeeze page pitch. Try both a forced and voluntary opt-in to see what works best.

Newbies have to overcome the fear of building and maintaining a massively responsive list, which is our goal after all, right? You must work to be successful; Leung echoes other experts' experiences by stating that dedicated list-building gets easier with practice.


Simon's Three Strategies for Optimized Adwords List-Building.

1. Get Started Right Away!

People worldwide conduct a monthly average of 200 million Google searches, so as a list "prospector", it pays to get a piece of the action now. With 65% of the search engine market, Google is fast becoming a generic term like Kleenex, Band-Aid, and Scotch tape. The sooner you dedicate yourself to becoming a Google Adwords expert, the closer you are to monetizing the biggest revenue generator of the number one technology company in the world.

2. Understand How the System Works.

Learn how to find and exploit relevant keywords and key phrases affordably in your particular niche. Each Adwords ad is at most 95 characters, so think carefully about a strong call to action that is relevant to your offer.

3. Constantly Monitor your Landing Pages' Performance.

Tweak specific parts (i.e. subheading, heading, font, colors, etc.) to increase your opt-in and conversion rates. Beyond all the hype and aura that surrounds Internet Marketing, a good landing page comes down to:

A) Superior web design and layout.
B) A captivating headline.
C) Persuasive copy.


Google "Slaps" Back!

Last year, Google decided to take action against online marketers who were abusing Adwords with deceptive advertising and low quality landing pages (e.g. FREE that is not really free). "Ad-soaked" webpages were dominating some niches, to the dismay of consumers and ultimately Google executives. Not only did these pages fail to offer solutions for consumers; some folks were making money hand over fist with them.

In response to user complaints and influential shareholders, Google researchers changed the algorithms in their ranking system. As a result, some Internet Marketers saw their costs skyrocket, in some cases from mere cents to several dollars a click! Now, Page 1 search rankings from the past would be jeopardized if the "Google-bots" disapproved of your website!


The Best Way to Avoid the Slap.

Simon Leung agrees that changes to Adwords are needed to ensure a popular, viable, high-quality user experience for all. He assures us that "Black Hat" strategies promoted by some well-known marketers are strictly short-term fixes that must eventually be abandoned. To ensure long-term success, Leung advises us to stick to "White Hat" tactics:

- High-quality and relevant keywords.Do not employ "bait and switch" techniques with sensational words like sex to get attention.

- Sharp ads aimed at human readers, not robots. Keywords are important, but your message must make sense!

- Real websites that overdeliver on content, and go beyond simple opt-in pages. Take the time to map out 'About me', FAQ, legal notices, and other pages that can improve your visitor's experience.


Common Adwords List-Building Errors.

Simon confirmed to listeners how list-building intentions can go astray. A lack of testing means that you will not know what needs fixing. Your ad? Individual website components? Your message? Poor communication with list subscribers may mean that your messages are not customized enough for them to care. It may also indicate that your efforts lack depth - don't assume everyone on your list is a beginner!

One solution mentioned by Leung was list segmentation based on user interests. Create specific Adwords campaigns that target beginners, experts, seniors, etc. Then, send out relevant e-mails on a consistent basis and encourage feedback.


Why not just SEO?

Granted, quality list-building takes many forms. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is often touted as a way to generate traffic for free, but Simon claims that it can end up being more expensive that Google Adwords. Just factor in the cost of SEO courses, consulting fees, and the time required to become a real SEO expert.

Acknowledging his clear bias, Leung calls Google Adwords the most afforable way of getting targeted traffic to your website. Combined with a functional (non-SEO) website, beginners and veterans alike can make it happen.


Concluding Thoughts.

Is Simon taking advantage of "insider" knowledge to feather his nest? Undoubtedly, the techniques and strategies he shares with us are influenced by his Google work experience. Leung's legacy in the Adwords program cannot be denied - he wrote the training manuals, after all!

Yet, both parties are beholden to a Non-Disclosure Agreement, so Simon cannot expose proprietary material - even if he wanted to. In the long run, Simon Leung will have to demonstrate that he has the goods. Like other Google experts, the proof will lie in his business conduct, the knowledge he shares with others, and the information products he releases for sale.

Google Adwords specialists are popping up over the place, so apply your due diligence accordingly.

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Rahul Majumdar is a full-time information marketer specializing in teleseminar reporting, article marketing, and information product creation.

Gaj Subudhi's List Building Superstars may be accessed here.

List Building Superstars - June 28th Teleseminar.

Jason James - Explosive List-Building with Audio and Video.

As the List Building Superstars (LBS) teleseminar series wound down, it was imperative to introduce something new and exciting into the mix. Fortunately for those on the line, Jason James ("Membership Riches") delivered thought-provoking reasons for using streaming audio and video for your next marketing campaign.

After a stint in the U.S Marine Corps, James established himself as an eBay Power Seller between 2000 and 2005. Not content to rest on his auction building laurels, Jason then set his sights on Internet Marketing fortune, launching his first product in 2005. Two years later, he has achieved 2 million dollars in sales with four products (N.B. A fifth is on the way). He currently enjoys a subscriber list that exceeds 75,000 members.

Curiously, James accomplished much as a "solo-preneur", without the benefit of established joint venture (JV) partners or high-priced coaches and mentors. A major reason for success appears to be his early adoption of Internet video marketing techniques. Not only was Jason James able to stand out from the crowd. Opinion leaders, i.e. "gurus", began seeking him out for various projects and campaigns.

(Audio, Visual, Written) Communication is the Key.

Whether you promote your own products, or engage in serious affiliate marketing, Jason advises entrepreneurs to stay in front of their prospects and customers' hearts and minds with content and offers that solve problems and satisfy needs. It is important to match your methods of communication with the objective. For example:

Writing: Use signatures within personal and broadcast e-mail messages that move curious readers from your message to the next step (i.e. opt-in, purchase).

Audio: Clear invitation to prospects to subscribe to your newsletter.

Video: Appropriate for training subscribers about software, audiovisual products, and other high-end products. Depending on the sophistication needed for your campaign, may require hiring a professional.


Three Audiovisual (AV) Strategies for Internet Marketers.

Jason suggested simple AV strategies that anyone can implement immediately:

A. 30-60 second audio and/or video on your Squeeze Page.

i) "Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME]."
ii) Offer a free report with reasons why they should read it.
iii) "Enter your name and e-mail address in the boxes below."
iv) "Thank you."

B. Outrageous videos to increase opt-in rates.

Jason's self-described "wacky" video for his latest promotion increased his opt-ins from eleven to fifty percent! Originality and irreverence apparently have a place in Internet Marketing.

However, if you do not have the skill nor the personality to "stand out" in the video crowd, consider outsourcing the work or trying something more conventional.

C. YouTube/MySpace style social networking sites.

Free services that allow you to upload video, slide shows, etc. to promote you - not anyone or anything else.

Video use does not absolve marketers from empathizing with their audience during a sales pitch. Nor does its mere use guarantee success if previous audio and written messages failed. So, in conjunction with your favorite tracking software/service provider, be prepared to test and tweak your delivery until you get the desired results.


I Wanted my List Yesterday!

Jason James wants us to have a "I gotta build a list now!" mentality that's laser-focused on finding prospects looking to spend money. He also advises us to do whatever is necessary to retain customers - it is much easier to generate repeat sales from existing subscribers than recruit more and more opportunity seekers.

James advises new marketers to be patient with their efforts and warns against frustration. List building is slow in the beginning, but rigorously testing common techniques right from the start (e.g. Pay-per-Click, e-zine advertising) will save time and prevent aggravation down the road.


Internet Newbie Pitfalls.

James sees too many "newbies" failing to build lists right from the start. They may be engaged in casual networking, but they are not marketing. By failing to bring new acquaintances into their opt-in lists, they are unable to sell and consequently are leaving money "on the table".

Beginners are loath to join numerous mailing lists, fearing information overload and a cluttered Inbox. However, they neglect the positive side of joining lists, i.e., learning about what the "Big Dogs" are up to. Numerous e-mail marketing, sales copy, and viral marketing tips can be had for free by simply "shadowing" 3 to 5 of your favorite marketers. There is a good chance that they are doing what you'd like to do, so why not learn from the best? One day, you may end up meeting them in person or perhaps working together.

Jason James believes in low frequency list maintenance, choosing to mail targeted messages to his 12 sublists twice weekly. Usually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. His advice is not to go overboard with subscriber offers, because multiple daily e-mails risk an elevated unsubscribe rate just as you are nurturing a critical mass of like-minded people to follow your advice.


Tried and True Techniques for Growing Your List.

In order to direct traffic towards your video opt-in message and attract like-minded subscribers, Jason recommends several standard methods:

A. Article Submission to Directories.

Jason claims that articles generate up to 150 leads weekly for him; even articles written several weeks or months ago still bring in traffic. Your resource box is the critical part of your article, because that's how people can follow up with you.

B. Free Giveaways.

Both voluntary and forced opt-ins can be induced with free reports, e-books, etc. However, list-builders beware! There is an inherent risk of creating a list of unresponsive "freebie seekers" who expect gifts all the time!

C. Forum Marketing.

Forums like the Warrior Forum are excellent venues for exchanging marketing ideas and strategies, even making business contacts. At worst, you can leave signatures containing links to your squeeze pages.


Personal Mistakes on the Road to Financial Independence.

Jason James qualifies as a list-building superstar, and readily acknowledges its importance in his business. However, in his earlier days, James did not manage his list as professionally as he would have liked.

You see, he collected and maintained names and addresses from his eBay business on his own, and got caught as the list's size and diversity grew. He quickly realized that shifting names between different lists was a hassle. Thus, Jason recommends the use of a professional autoresponder service that permits, among other things, multiple list segmentation.


Conclusion.

After only a few years, Jason James can safely claim a place amongst Internet Marketing's heavy hitters. Perhaps his eBay experience helped, but upon further investigation, video use is what makes James stand out today.

In the summer of 2007, audio-visual exposure is all the rage, even amongst the so-called newbies. It is not difficult to find clever applications on squeeze pages and sales letters. Some well-known marketers even offer custom-made videos as an enticement to be part of their affiliate programs!

Only you can decide if Internet video is the right option for your circumstances. However, following Jason James' advice at the end of the call is something all marketers can agree on:

Have fun, don't get intimidated with technology.

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Rahul Majumdar is a full-time information marketer who specializes in teleseminar reporting, article marketing, and information product creation.

List Building Superstars - June 13th Teleseminar.

Sean Mize - Underground Article Marketing Excellence

Well, after a 3-month hiatus, I'm back - eager to report on the best Internet Marketing teleseminars available today.

Individual calls undoubtedly add to our knowledge base. They both reinforce best practices and give us a "heads-up" on future trends. However, I've always enjoyed integrated teleseminar series that focus on specific skills. Not only do you become familiar with the host's interview style, technique and demeanor. You really begin to absorb ideas that can move your business forward.

Such is the case with Gajapati Subudhi's List Building Superstars (LBS) course. Hot on the heels of Brian Edmondson's List Profit Academy and the Internet Master Series (Lynn Carnes, Natalie Judd), Mr. Subudhi has assembled an impressive roster of guest speakers, all possessing impeccable list-building credentials. This multi-part teleseminar series began in April; I regret missing the earlier live calls, but will make amends in the coming weeks.


What More is there to Learn about List-Building?

Before saying to yourself:

Oh no, not another list building series!

keep in mind that the only way to build a sustainable online business is to master at least one "leverageable" skill. Tellman Knudson (a previous LBS guest) has stated on numerous occasions that there are three leverageable Internet Marketing skills (in no particular order):

1. Copywriting
2. Traffic Generation
3. List Building

In fact, list-building's greatest advantage lies in its ability to provide consistent "bread and butter" income for faithful practitioners. So, it stands to reason that it's a skill worth learning, right? Especially when a guest expert explains an often overlooked way of generating "buzz" that may play to your strengths and interests.


Meet "Mr S." Courtesy of Mr. S.

Mr. Subhudhi presented Sean Mize as a budding Internet superstar. Starting in August 2006, Mize has parlayed his drive and commitment to building a better life into a consistent 4-5 figure monthly income. He has done so with an unrelenting "ground attack" of articles that have made him #4 on EzineArticles.com's list of Expert Authors. As a result, Sean enjoys several Top-10 Google rankings with "list" related keywords and phrases.

During his interview with "mindset shifter" Kit Furey (http://www.instantbreakthroughsuccess.com), Mize revealed how he has grown his list from zero to 7,000 in 10 months, and earns $2.00 per subscriber per month - double the acknowledged Internet Marketing benchmark. Sean attributes his success to:

1. Tracking and Testing of results:

Strict analysis of basic article marketing metrics (e.g. Open rate, click-through rate). Tweaking of autoresponder sequence for each campaign based on previous results.

2. Article Marketing-driven List Building:

According to Mize, the best way to build trust and credibility amongst your subscribers.


Set Your Personal Goals.

Regardless of whether you are a budding article marketer, Mize successfully brings forth the importance of an integrated mechanics-mindset approach to the Internet Marketing game. List-builders of all shapes and sizes should start by asking themselves three questions:

A. What do you want out of the Internet in the next 12 months?
B. How much money will it take to achieve those goals?
C. How many subscribers do you need to reach your goals?

Then, go for it by making the necessary sacrifices to get the job done.


Forming a Positive Mindset Right from the Start.

Most people venture into Internet Marketing because of the inadequacies of their "9 to 5" existence. Sean was motivated by lifestyle choices - namely, a desire to spend more time at the beach as well as for skiing. To accomplish his goal, he set out to find the perfect "laptop" business and chose to focus on list-building. After reading and testing various list-building books, Mize formed the basis of his article marketing game plan, and set out to:

1. Earn consistent, and predictable income through the laptop.
2. Have the freedom to reap the benefits from his new income source (i.e. Internet Marketing) without being enslaved by it.

Test, test, test! Then test some more...

Whether it is article marketing or another Internet Marketing niche, success is often measured by a willingness to try different things, then make sound decisions based on the results. Sean Mize tried 3-4 different list-building methods before committing to articles. It goes without saying that your mindset must match the individual skill set you bring to the table. What works for Sean may not work for you, and vice versa...

Sean's Three Strategies for Generating Article Marketing Content.

1. Volume, Volume, VOLUME!!!

Mize is unwavering in his call for a large quantity of quality articles that merit placement in the best e-zines. Therefore, be prepared for 2-3 hours of uninterrupted writing every day, plus another 2-3 hours for article submissions to the directories.

2. Adding Back Links through Article Submissions.

By tracking purchases of his information products, Sean discovered that traffic generated through articles converted best. So, the message is clear - give motivated readers the information they seek, and they are more likely to become buyers and repeat customers. Like many marketers, Mize uses free giveaway reports to attract list subscribers.

3. Stick to the Basics.

Sean Mize's formula for article marketing success is simple: Produce 20 original articles weekly, and have the patience to let them percolate up the directory and search engine rankings. Mize is definitely anti-Private Label Rights (PLR). He opposes reused and slightly altered content on the grounds that they do not work. Search engines flag duplicate articles, and consequently do not rank them.

Even if they did work, it would be an unfair manipulation of search engine rankings. The articles most likely would be poorly written, aimed at robots instead of human beings....


Words of Caution...

Sean noted that expanding broadband technology is making it harder for Internet Marketers to capture, hold, and retain a prospect's attention. There is a lot of readily-accessible stimuli (i.e. audio, video, graphics, podcasts, etc.) and users no longer have to wait for one download before moving on to the next thing. So, offer incentives for users to opt-in, even at the risk of attracting too many "tire-clickers".

Article marketing is definitely not for everyone. Experience shows that only a small percentage of people have the discipline to carry out such a "ruthless" writing campaign and make it succeed. Furthermore, marketers who crave speed probably have a skill set oriented towards other areas (e.g. Pay-per-Click (PPC)).

Mize suggests that we get to know potential joint venture (JV) partners as people first before making a committment, article marketing-related or otherwise. Also, be selective about what affiliate products and programs to promote. Affiliate marketing, by definition, removes a lot of personal risk. However, your reputation will be determined by the recommendations you make to subscribers.


What it Really Takes...

As a writing-oriented marketer myself, I welcome the idea that you can succeed online without state-of-the-art graphics, a killer app, or a significant advertising budget. However, the amount of articles demanded by Mize's formula for success raises some questions:

1. What role does "ghostwriting", i.e. paying someone to write original articles for you, play for a serious article marketer?

2. Does Sean personally use services like www.elance.com and www.getafreelancer.com? If so, what percentage of his articles are "ghost-written"?

3. Can you really control the originality and quality of outsourced writing? Is it any better than PLR articles?

This is the age of globalization, and outsourcing is a fact of life in all fields including Internet Marketing. At the very least, even prolific authors need to consider the ghostwriting option and its implications.


Conclusion.

Sean Mize is an articulate speaker who is quite direct about why he is successful. His online business tactics are transparent, and neatly tie together all three core Internet skills:

Traffic generation through article marketing to build a monetizable opt-in list that is ready, willing, and able to purchase information products...

Provided your copy works, of course!

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Sean Mize's main website is http://secrets-of-internet-success.com.

Gajapati Subudhi's List Building Superstars is where you want to be to capture the latest list building advice. Access the superstars here.

Rahul Majumdar is a full-time Information Marketer specializing in teleseminar reporting and list-building techniques. Sign up for more of his insights at:

==> http://www.info-entrepreneur-rm.net