How to Leap Forward 10 Pages in Google
April 25, 2009
Have you ever thought about how those rare few make it to the top couple of pages of Google? Well, there are hundreds of internet marketers out there who have their own ideas on how to do this – some are very creative, and the way they go about telling other people about their ideas is even more creative.
have never been into the whole highlighted sales page of false promises and guarantee’s, which when you look at the small print, are not really guarantees at all.
I am not an internet marketer so to speak. I’m a virtual assistant who helps people market their business or website on the internet. Last week a site I have been marketing was on page 24 for its keyword search – this week it’s on page 14.
I put this down to one of the best and most effective methods of marketing which exist – and it doesn’t use any dodgy submitter software, or anything else which could potentially hinder your rating rather than help.
It’s just strait forward article marketing with variations which did it. I want to shed some light on a few points and give you some friendly advice which I think you should keep in mind, just in case you do choose to take up this kind of marketing.
1. Speed
These results came from submitting 2 articles per week, and it didn’t really start to make much of a difference until 3 months into this process. So if you want to try working with this method – don’t hold your breath waiting for quick results. It took 3 months and 24 articles to start seeing this type of impact. Google takes a while to index the backlinks which are being created through distribution, but once they do start seeing them, you’re well on your way to an internet marketing success.
2. Natural Submissions
Try to stagger your submissions. Google may think there is something iffy going on if all of the sudden – in one day, you have a surge of backlinks, and then over the next few days, not a sausage. If you stagger the submissions of your articles over a period of time and create 3 or 4 backlinks a day – everyday, then this will result in a much more natural looking progression which will be of far greater benefit.
3. Variations
Don’t ever submit the same article more than once; create several specific variations of the article so there’s always a new version being used at each submission. The publishers will like it more and so will the search engines.
4. Unique Content
Always submit unique content. You want to be recognized as an expert in your chosen field, so only sign your name to things which are actually unique and of exceptional quality. PLR has its place in this world, but using it as a form of article marketing for increasing your credibility is not really one of them.
Follow these four steps, and in a few months time you will have built up a good reputation, some serious backlinks, and a higher position in Google – it’s a Win-Win situation!
Michelle Dale is The Managing Director of Virtual Miss Friday, a highly qualified Executive Virtual Assistant Service which helps businesses and individuals accomplish every detail of their professional aspirations. Want to discover more about these insightful online business building success strategies? Support the Campaign for FREE Virtual Assistance now!
Is Social Media Really all that Social?
April 23, 2009
On a daily basis I spend quite a bit of time on the internet looking for time saving ways to automate social media tasks. This made me realise that what once started as a way to connect with new people while keeping in touch with friends and family – has now turned into one of the biggest marketing engines that exist today.
With so much effort going into social media, there are literally hundreds of software programs and other online tools which allow you to automate the entire process. After a recent Twitter follow, I had a message come back to me saying “I really like you so much and decided to follow you” – now, I know for a fact that the person has probably never even looked at my profile – and as for liking me so much, I doubt that that person was even aware that they were now following me… but it’s all part of playing the social media game.
So, of course, I’m not knocking it. I love being a social media assistant and discovering new ways of developing business through this new craze, and from my perspective, there really is no other job I would rather do, but I also find it a bit sad that it has lost its true meaning – so to speak. We are all like little robots trying to promote ourselves and our businesses via a channel which was initially designed to be very personal.
Through microblogging, we can also keep each other updated on where we are. The average internet marketer will advise that you update your twitter account or other microblogging account around 10 times a day. So during the work day you can keep churning out “Tweets”, saying that you are in the office, at home, or even on the loo if you want to go that far (Twitter works on your mobile too). But in the grand scheme of things, have you ever actually read all of the tweets from the people you are following? It’s basically just a numbers game – if you have 20,000 people you’re following, and they all post 10 tweets a day – wouldn’t reading your Twitter account alone turn into more than a full time job?
We basically post a link to all those followers in the hope that a small percentage will click our link – this can lead to new traffic, hits, potential affiliate sales, and maybe even a comment on your blog post – but the simple fact is, we do it because it works and we can generate money from our followers. So, is social media really all that social?
What is The Best Way To Sell An Ebook?
April 23, 2009
If you have written an eBook, then first off – well done! It’s not an easy task, and it takes real determination, persistence and patience. Now you need to reap the rewards for all of your hard work, through selling your very own eBook. Here are 3 options you should consider carefully:
The first option is the most simple, least expensive and also the most “DIY” option of them all – PayPal!
It takes only a few moments to set up your PayPal account. Once you login to PayPal, do a search for “Buy Now Button”. Here you will be able to configure your settings, and in just moments it will produce an HTML code for the button which you can simply place on your site. Voila! It’s almost instant.
The second option is to take this a step further, opening the doors to offering your customers more payment options, and also giving others the opportunity to sell your book for commission. For this, I would recommend you set up a Clickbank account. There is a one-off fee for using Clickbank, however it will pay off. This choice is very popular amongst affiliate marketers, and with this service, the chances are you could find your eBook being sold all over the internet.
This option does require some level of understanding of web development in order to set this up and meet the criteria. You will need a page on your website where you intend to display and sell your product; you will also need a thank you page too. Once you have these ready, Clickbank will happily place your product in their marketplace after it has completed the approval process.
If you would like to sell your eBook in other marketplaces, you could also try websites such as LULU, YUDU, Amazon and PayLoadz for this as well. It’s definitely worth investing a little extra time in adding your book to these sites.
Your final option is the choice of shopping cart software. This is the way I would suggest you go if you eventually intend on selling multiple products. With this, you should be able to customise your shopper experience and create a bespoke interface for your online store’ in fact; you can sell pretty much anything through a shopping cart. You will need a payment gateway such as WorldPay or something similar, and you may find yourself paying a monthly fee for both, so make sure your money is well invested, and consider selling other items so you can really make this investment pay off.
I am merely skimming over the surface with these opportunities, as there are many different products and services out there which will allow you to sell – and promote, your eBook. These are the most commonly used options, and are widely recognised amongst both consumers and sellers alike.
With whatever option you decide to go for, I wish you every success with selling your eBook!
Instantly increase your profit with a virtual receptionist
April 20, 2009
In the current economic climate there are several debates and discussions on the internet on ways to save costs in business. If you have a place of work or an office which is costing you more than it should, then consider taking your office online.
In terms of keeping the professional edge your business needs in this competitive market, the benefits of a virtual receptionist are vast. This service also keeps your costs down because you aren’t required to commit to employing a member of staff.
Here are a few keys things to take into consideration:
An employee requires by law – time off, sick pay, holiday pay and other employee benefits or perks. These are not required with a virtual service. Your virtual receptionist will work only the times and hours you need. Say for example you are paying your PA or receptionist to be in your office to take your calls. She will most likely be there between 9am and 5pm, and how much of that time will she actually be on the phone answering those calls? Unless you operate a call centre, I would guess no more than a few hours. With coffee and lunch breaks – can you really afford to maintain this overhead when there is a far better solution?
What happens when your receptionist is taking time off? Would you need to get an agency worker in to cover those hours? Or would you need to do this yourself? Wouldn’t it be much less hassle overall to have a dedicated company who takes your calls for you, one that knows your business and your customers, and best of all, one that never calls in sick?
So, are you convinced yet? How about if I also told you that your virtual receptionist was able to do a whole host of other things for you? Answering calls is one thing, but what if your receptionist could make your travel arrangements, book your doctor’s appointment, buy your mums birthday present and have it delivered, or even do your personal shopping online. Virtual Assistants have the ability to revolutionise your business. Let’s summarise the benefits of this change:
1. You can save money by only paying for the time which is worked, and also by not having to pay a set salary – regardless of whether you’re busy or not.
2. You can save a lot of hassle. The reliability of a virtual service means that your office is always open, and you don’t have to miss important calls if your receptionist has called in sick.
And finally…
3. Time! You can save so much time by outsourcing essential tasks to your virtual assistant. The best thing about this opportunity is that you can make this change right now – hiring a virtual receptionist is as easy as sending an email. So, what are you waiting for?
How to Create an Ergonomic Office Space
April 17, 2009
Creating an ergonomic workplace is absolutely necessary if you’re interested in ensuring a productive and efficient workforce. You work better, feel better and have a better state of mind. As just about every virtual assistant knows from experience, through office ergonomics you can arrange your workstation so it keeps your body in proper alignment as you go about your daily tasks. Listed here are 12 essential ways for achieving ergonomic excellence in your office space.
1. An adjustable desk. This allows you to change its position for your height, an important feature when several people use the same desk in an office. The desk should be at a height where your knees and thighs fit comfortably under it. Office ergonomics also suggests that the desk be large enough to accommodate your needs and that items are placed within arm’s length reach. This limits the need of bending or twisting often to access something.
2. An adjustable chair. For those whose job involves a lot of sitting, the chair is an important area in which to achieve office ergonomics.It should have an adjustable back, seat height, arm rests, lumbar support for the back and a padded, breathable seat. If it’s a rolling chair, five wheels are recommended for ease of movement and minimal tipping risk.
3. Proper computer monitor placement. First and foremost, your computer monitor should be adjustable so the top of the screen is at eye level. It should be placed directly in front of you, about an arm’s length away. Glare guards or a plasma screen can help reduce eye strain. To prevent vision problems, a computer screen should be at a 90-degree angle to a window, not in front of or next to it.
4. Adjustable keyboard tray. Computer desks that come equipped with a keyboard tray could cause problems if you are unable to adjust its height for proper positioning. The keyboard tray area should be wide enough to handle a mouse, keyboard, and whatever other accessories you have to utilise. Wrist supports are also recommended so you can take short breaks from typing and rest your wrists in the proper position.
5. A keyboard with curves. Office ergonomics research has shown that a curved or contoured keyboard helps lower the risk of hand, wrist and shoulder problems. The keyboard should be positioned at a height where your elbows remain close to your sides and bent no more than 90 degrees. If you notice any hand, arm, or neck pain, you might try adjusting the tilt of the keyboard. If this doesn’t immediately solve your discomfort, look into buying a keyboard which is balanced – doesn’t have a numeric keypad on the right side, so you can centre it in front of you as you type without having to reach so far to the right for the mouse. I personally would recommend the Apple wireless, and yes, it works great with Windows as long as you have Bluetooth.
6. An ergonomic-friendly mouse. Medical conditions originating from using a mouse in repetitive movements are everyday occurrences in offices everywhere. Replace the standard mouse with one with a trackball or touch pad to relieve motions that can lead to repetitive stress injuries. To eliminate continuous reaching, the computer mouse should be in the keyboard tray next to the keyboard.
7. Add a footrest. Office ergonomics is all about proper alignment of your body for total comfort. A footrest is essential for supporting your legs. It also prevents lower back strain, in particular for people whose feet do not reach the floor when sitting.
8. Focus on posture. Although it’s difficult to think about your posture while working, it is important to prevent skeletal muscle injuries. Focus on standing tall, with minimal slouching or leaning. If you stand on your feet all day, try to change positions by shifting weight. When sitting, your thighs should be parallel to the floor and your feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest. Your shoulders should be relaxed and your neck in a neutral position. Rather than twisting to reach something, turn your whole body. Try to vary positions frequently and take short breaks.
9. Proper lifts. No matter the job, there’s always some form of lifting involved. Whether it’s lifting mail bins or files from a desk, without proper form back injuries are inevitable. When heavy lifting is required, back support belts are an absolute necessity in the working environment. For minor lifting, remember to bend your knees and keep the back straight.
10. Accessorize ergonomically. There are various items that should be used in the workplace but are often overlooked when evaluating office ergonomics. For example, you can minimize eye strain with a document holder that is positioned level with your computer monitor. This prevents your eyes from having to constantly refocus when looking from paper to monitor. A telephone headset or speaker phone aids in maintaining a proper position when multi-tasking.
11. Limit the noise. You might not put noise in the category of office ergonomics, but low-level noise could harm your hearing and at the very least cause stress. Some typical office noises come from computer hard drives, printers, copy machines, telephones, fellow co-workers and outside sounds. Building improvements to lower noise include adding an acoustic ceiling, installing partitions between workstations, carpeting floors and moving noisy equipment. Employees can wear earplugs to limit their exposure to background noise.
12. Check the lights. Poor lighting is a major cause of vision problems, eye strain and headaches. There are several measures to take to obtain optimal lighting in the workplace. First, the office should be equipped with full-spectrum lights and have tinted glass or blinds on windows to reduce glare. If necessary, task lighting at workstations should be installed.
When you consider that workplace injuries are extremely costly to a company and its employees, setting up a work area to maximize ergonomics reduces the likelihood of medical conditions like headaches, eye strain, neck and back pain, bursitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. The pursuit of office ergonomics is the way to create a quality work life that minimizes work-related injuries.
Michelle Dale is The Managing Director of Virtual Miss Friday, an Experienced Executive Virtual Assistant who assists businesses and individuals with achieving their professional goals. Want to find out more about online business building success strategies? Support the Campaign for Free Virtual Assistance today!
Why Should You Outsource Your Article Writing?
April 2, 2009
You’re sitting at your desk, and you have just made a coffee. Now you’re ready to get the creative juices flowing. You are going to write an article!
I mean, how difficult can it be, right? You are an expert in your field, a fountain of knowledge – yet amongst all of that insight and experience, it seems so hard to put 450 words on a piece of paper about any sort of subject. If this is the case, you have Writers Block…
So, at this stage, what do we consider doing?
1. Throwing the laptop out the window (not the best solution).
2. Stare into space for a while longer trying hard to concentrate, in the hope that something will miraculously pop into your head for the first paragraph – or even the first line for that matter. But, nothing happens…
3. You outsource your writing.
Ok, I don’t know about you, but 3 sounds like a pretty good deal. Believe it or not, there are many people on the internet who take advantage of the benefits of article marketing – who never actually write articles themselves. It doesn’t mean that they don’t know what they’re talking about; they simply don’t know how to convey their ideas through an article. If you’re not a natural writer, and you would like to take advantage of article marketing, then option 3 is a no-brainer.
So, in a nutshell, all you need is to find a writer, however, this is not as easy as it sounds. Article marketing entails following certain specific rules which must be obeyed. One of these rules is submitting unique content. I have come across several instances where people have bought articles and attempted to submit them, where unfortunately, some or all of those articles were rejected due to duplicate content. How is this possible? I will give you a few instances…
a.) The so called “Ghostwriter” has bought or downloaded PLR (Private Label Rights) articles, changed a few words here and there, and then tried to pass them off as unique.
b.) The Ghostwriter did perhaps write the articles – but sold (and still sells) them to anyone who is willing to buy in order to generate revenue. Unsuspecting folk often buy and publish those thinking they have a one-off unique content source.
c.) The Ghostwriter didn’t write anything at all, but just copied and pasted a free reprint article from a directory somewhere. So, how do you know if your articles are unique or not? Services such as Copyscape provide valuable tools for the checking of potentially plagiarised online material. Always run your article through a service like this to ensure that what you are about to publish in 100% unique. If it isn’t, then you need to be paying a visit to the ghostwriter for a refund.
Finding an excellent quality article writing service that gives you real value for money can be difficult, but once you have a top-notch provider, your article campaign should be off to an excellent start.
Think to yourself, what you will do with all of this newly found free time?
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