Effective List Building & Driving Traffic to Your Squeeze Page
The money is in the list. As an internet marketer, you know that building your email list is absolutely essential if you want to make money. There’s one key component to successfully building a list however: Getting traffic to your squeeze page. Some great ways to do this are PPC, article marketing and getting affiliates.
Pay Per Click Marketing
Pay Per Click just might be the easiest and most efficient choice when wanting to drive traffic to your site. Its efficiency lies in not only how fast it is, but that it can be tracked as well.
When you use Pay Per Click marketing your goal is breaking even. You’re building your list, so making a huge profit isn’t necessary at the moment. By getting 100 people each day added to your list and break even doing it, you’re doing everything right.
The trick to Pay Per Click success is continual testing and improvement. It’s much easier to get something that’s almost working to work than it is to try and start over doing something completely new.
Article Marketing
Article marketing is a less expensive, but slower means of getting traffic to your website. When it comes to article marketing, you end up paying with time instead of cash.
The plan here is to write up some articles, submitting them to different article directories. These directories are searched often, and your articles will be indexed quite fast. If you use appropriate keywords along with good SEO principles, you’ll get more traffic when your articles rank highly.
Generally, article marketing takes a lot of work, which at first will only bring you a little bit of traffic. By working at it, you will soon find yourself with a lot of traffic as time goes by.
Affiliate Marketing
Here’s the secret to affiliate marketing: Good statistics. Most Internet marketing experts agree that it’s usually best to test your stats using AdWords or other marketing tactics before you approach potential affiliates.
There is definitely some refining which can be done when using PPC. Your best bet is doing any refinement before approaching your potential affiliates. Why you ask? Let’s say an affiliate decides to promote your product and for some reason or another it doesn’t convert, you have just burned your bridge forever. While on the other hand, if one of your affiliates promotes your product to their full ability and it does convert, they’ll likely keep on with the promotion of your product regularly.
Furthermore, you usually won’t be able to get big JV deals unless you have your stats. Most “heavy hitters” don’t want to do business with first timers because they know that there’s a big risk of losing money.
There aren’t many people who wish to use their traffic to test the marketing of somebody else’s business. It’s illogical to expect any of your affiliates to be sending you their traffic without solid conversion statistics from your site.
Getting Squeeze Page Traffic
These are three of the top ways to get traffic on your squeeze page. Pay Per Click, Affiliate Marketing and Article Marketing are there for you when you’re ready. Remember, each of these techniques have had their own bit of responsibility for the success of many businesses. Nobody said you need to be perfect at everything. Simply doing one exceptionally is a great place to start.
Free Website Headers: How to Customize for Your Website
Whether you are the owner of a new website, or an existing one needing a bit of ‘redecorating’ certain aspects need your consideration. You may want people visiting your site to see a very professional site. Perhaps your website caters more to children and family, and you want a family-friendly experience when they find your page.
Gone are the days when any web or graphic design meant hiring someone to do your website work for you. This inevitably meant spending money to obtain exactly what you wanted. And even then, there was no guarantee that was going to happen. There are many programs now available which permit you to completely redesign your current website, as well as helping you create the ideal first site. One of the easiest we have found to work with is Photoshop.
When you use Photoshop, you can easily have a finished product in your own style in no time at all. You’ll be doing the work yourself, using your own computer and on your own time you’ll be saving money from the get go. While choosing this method of creation for all your header needs, with your personal style and feel to them, you will simply have to add them to your site codes once you’re done. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves though.
Your first step is to open your Photoshop software and create a new image. You can either set the size of your image by choosing the pixels at1025 x 150 (or the size you wish your website to be) or by using the image-size tools available to you so you can set the dimensions properly to fit the size you wish to work with.
After selecting the image outline or header, choose the tool which resembles a rounded rectangle. You must now drag this pointer to the top left corner of the image. Left click in order to draw a rectangle crossing from left to right sides of your image. This will show you the exact outline of your header section.
Continue by selecting “Layer” from the navigation tool bar, which you can find at the top of the window you are working in. Your next option is to choose the “Layer Style”, followed by “Add Drop Shadow” from the various options. You will now see a new pop-up window with the option “Drop Shadow, Inner Glow and Outer Glow.” Be sure to check the box in front of this option.
Next, you want choose the “bevel” option. This will result in the rectangle having a professional style with depth, added by your chosen shadow. Clicking on the “Layer” icon will add a new layer to your header.
We’re going to open the text tool now, dragging it to the top left corner of your image. Type here either the name of your website or company name. Have fun playing around with different font types, sizes and colors until you find what really suits your ideas. There are also other text option tools on the navigation bar at the top of the present window.
Now we are going to add a bit more style to your header. Start by selecting the rectangle tool, left-clicking in the top right-hand corner. By dragging the pointer along the top of the header, you will be creating a smaller navigation bar at the top of the image.
You can now click the “Direct Selection” tool, and by left-clicking on it you can select the rectangle. You will now see small squares appear in each corner. By clicking the lower left corner and dragging it toward the right, you will create an angled edge for this new navigation bar.
To add color and effects to this upper navigation bar, you would choose the “Fill” tool and choose your options from there. You can also cut and crop your image to the exact size you need with the “Crop” tool.
Since you want to be sure you don’t lose all of this work, click “File” then “Save for Web and Devices” and save this image. You might consider creating a folder to contain all your business website information so everything is kept together. Once your new header is saved, it’s time for you to upload it to the “Images” file of your website codes.
To add the new header to your web pages, you will be using it as a background image. It will be located in the first row of the first table of your website, right under where you see the head tag.
Now you know just how easy it is to create your own website headers for free. Depending on the nature or purpose of your website, you may decide to change things up more often. How about for each season? Or the other pages of your site? It’s no longer a question of money, but of imagination.
Niche WordPress Themes: How to Find the Right One for You
Prospects hate to see the same old content across several online businesses. It’s even worse when they see similar presentations. How many times can they find default themes interesting? My guess is that it’s only once.
A specific type of business owner wants to use a niche WordPress theme. These business owners want to grab a specific target market. They know that picking the right WordPress theme can mean the difference between success and failure. If you’re reading this article, you probably do, too.
Stuff to watch out for
Google AdSense can’t be ignored. Its position and coloring will obviously influence which WordPress theme you’re going to choose.
Your niche blog is a business venture, therefore, you want it come off looking as professional as possible. Look for themes that match your AdSense so that AdSense looks like an organic part of your website. Seamless integration is what you should be going for.
But that’s not all you have to watch out for.
What are the specifics here?
If you want further customization for your business, niche WordPress themes will do the job.
Start with their magnificent themes and customize further!
It’s easy to do yourself or you can hire someone with more technical expertise.
Come across modifiable themes that allow you to change:
The big keyword
Your main keyword in the Meta title tags and headers help search engines and prospects find your website. Without it, your website just floats around on the Internet without any real place to be. You need to be able to modify the Meta title tags and headers so that search engines and prospects alike will be able to classify and find your website.
Text and images at the forefront
What’s the point of getting a WordPress theme if you can’t even modify the header images or text? There is no point. So make sure that you have that ability.
The way text looks
Prospects’ first impressions can be based on how your text appears. That’s why it’s good advice to choose a font that works for your business. You might ask yourself how you can do that. Well, you can follow your instinct and common sense. Certain fonts just “seem” to go better with the content more than others. Recognize that and be on your way to customizing your niche theme the right way.
CSS
Let’s face it- not every pre-designed niche theme is 100% perfect. But if you’re allowed to modify CSS, you can help make it as close to perfect as it can possibly get. You’ll need a little bit of training beforehand, but CSS is far from impossible to learn. When you’re dealing with CSS, there really aren’t any limits. You have control of even the most minor details. Modifying CSS is great for perfectionists and those who have an exact vision of how they want their blogs to look like.
Finding a WordPress theme that offers all of these options can set you on the right path towards a blog that looks, talks and walks like you. Getting your brand out there will be a snap once you find a niche WordPress theme you like and can turn it into something unique that sets it apart from your competition.
Squeeze Pages and the Best Features on Them
So you’re interested in making squeeze pages part of your marketing campaign. That’s a good decision. By now, you’re probably wondering what makes for a great squeeze page, as opposed to just a good or average one. Well, in my experience, the best squeeze pages all have the following features:
Headlines, sub-headlines and the rest
Those bolded little phrases can mean the difference between an interested reader and one who just skims. Use all types of headlines to win your readers’ interest and keep their attention.
Lose “busy” backgrounds
They’ve been shown to convert more prospects than others and that’s what you want. Don’t worry about fancy backgrounds that distract from your offer.
Above the fold content
Keep your content where it should be- above the point where a reader would have to scroll to read the rest of it. This area is called “above-the-fold” and prospects are more likely to read what’s there than anywhere else.
Readable material
Bullet points are your friend. They make reading easier on your customers and show them the important highlights so that they won’t have to waste time looking for them. Use bullet points to show readers how they’ll benefit from buying your product to maximize the positive effect they’ll have on your business.
Sense of urgency
Convince prospects to take action “now” instead of “maybe later.” Use action words every chance you get. This includes when you ask them to submit their information.
Testimonials
Prospects want to know that your offers are worth something, so get other people to testify to their value and put their words on your website.
Protect information
Online customers want to know that businesses will guard their information from hackers. They also want to know that you won’t use it in ways that they won’t approve of. Write and link a privacy policy to display on your website.
Make yourself accessible
Too many business owners forget about giving their prospects a way to contact them. Provide your contact information so that sales are made even easier.
Calls to Action
You need calls-to-action on your squeeze page. They need to be energetic to successfully get a prospect to do something. Use more action verbs for your calls-to-action.
Include videos
Videos are proven to raise conversions. Why not offer a video on your squeeze page?
Opt-in forms
You’ll have to test where your opt-in forms go best, but generally, opt-in forms work best on the right side of a web page. So take advantage of that rule-of-thumb.
Go easy on the links
Distraction is not an option for prospects. Don’t give your prospects a reason to become bored with your squeeze page and leave. Keep the focus on getting them to leave their contact information.
Incentive
Give your prospects a reason to follow through. Spell out what you’ll give them; are they reports, eBooks, audio, videos or something else? Let them know by being clear and making it desirable. You may benefit by doing a bit of research into your target market to see what they value.
All of these things can help you develop a great squeeze page. But using these tips is not an excuse for forgetting about optimizing your website. To truly make a website work, test all of these elements to find out which ones work best for you.
Finding Niche WordPress Themes for Your Business
If you’re using WordPress out of the box, you might want to use a more unique theme that will create interest and connection with your visitors. After all, even the most valuable content gets boring if it’s set against a forgettable backdrop.
Certain business owners have picked up on this and they try to accommodate prospects. You have to keep your prospects interested in your product and your business. It’s simply the only way to protect your business against any number of businesses out there that are competition offering similar items in the same way. You’re probably wondering how you can spice up your business’s online presence. Well, finding and using a niche WordPress theme is definitely a great way to do it. Niche WordPress themes can help solidify your brand and help your business make a name for itself on the Internet, where many business compete for the same customers. That being said, there are a few things that every business should look for in a WordPress theme. Need help figuring out what those things are? Read on.
What to look for in a theme (general)
Google AdSense can’t be ignored. Its position and coloring will obviously influence which WordPress theme you’re going to choose.
Your niche blog is a business venture, therefore, you want it come off looking as professional as possible. Look for themes that match your AdSense so that AdSense looks like an organic part of your website. Seamless integration is what you should be going for.
Now you are ready for customization.
Specifics?
Niche WordPress themes are customized to an extent but more can be done if you wish.
So prepare to customize!
You can hire someone to do it for you if things get too technical.
Find niche themes that allow you to modify:
The big keyword
Your main keyword needs to be placed in Meta title tags and headers. It’s just that simple. This helps prospects find your website. It also signals to search engines just what your site is about. Failing to modify a niche theme in this way can leave your prospects at the door.
Text and images at the forefront
Being able to modify the images and text in headers is very important to making your niche WordPress theme your own. Stock images and text won’t do for any business- much less your own. So verify that you can modify both before investing in a niche theme.
Text appearance
How your text is presented is just as important as the content that it contains. Some fonts leave un-businesslike impressions in prospects’ minds, but it’s all relative. You wouldn’t set up a hospital blog and then use the comic sans font all over it, would you? Similarly, using a cursive script font for a blog dedicated to a kindergarten class seems out-of-place, right? Decide what font best represents your business and then implement it.
CSS stuff
You may spend hours looking for that perfect niche theme, but you may end up a little disappointed in the end, no matter how nice the theme you end up with is. Why? Because no theme comes ready to use. You can get a handle on this by using CSS. Modifying the theme’s code using CSS can make your WordPress theme absolutely perfect. Anything you want can be incorporated into your WordPress theme, so take advantage of that fact, even if you have to undergo a little training and education to do it.
Taking advantage of these things will mean that you can be a formidable competitor. Your brand will be big, bright and obvious and you’ll have presence that competitors will surely have to notice.
