A Hard Lesson Learned ….

A Hard Lesson Learned ….

by: Diane Hughes

Are you like me? I like to handle things on my own so I don’t even THINK about incorporating help with anything I am working on … especially my business as a whole.

Well, I learned something new recently. It was a HORRIBLE experience that actually turned out for the better. Let me tell you my story:

I have a team of about 2000 associates. Since all my sites are hosted at Host4Profit except for the site that their websites are hosted on, I decided to transfer everything over. Well, I have transferred many sites before so I knew how it worked. I knew I would get access to Host4Profit before transferring with my registrar and that all I had to do was upload everything over to the new host while my old host was still active. This would make a seamless transfer. No one would ever know anything happened …

To make a long story short, it didn’t turn out to be as seamless as I hoped and things were a little messed up for about a day. Needless to say, I received TONS of emails!

กWhat happened?!ก

กWhere did you go?!ก

กGive me my money back!ก

กHello? Are you there?ก

Well, I couldn’t ANSWER these emails because I was busy getting the transfer problem fixed. This caused most of them to email me a SECOND time, therefore doubling the amount of emails sitting in my email box! Stress was building as I worked to get the problem fixed ….

After the problem was finally resolved, I sent an update letting everyone know what happened. I got back to any emails that I felt needed answering … this whole thing took almost 18 hours of my time and NO SLEEP for me!

The stress and the fact that I had no sleep took itกs toll on me. When I got some really rude emails from some angry customers and associates, I didn’t take my own advice and let it sit until I calmed down. You know what I did instead? I gave refunds to all of them! I didn’t even want to deal with it … as a result, I refunded over $1000 in sales.

I know, I know … you’re asking yourself, กHow could that be a good thing?ก Well, it made me get out of my bull stubborn กIกll handle it allก attitude and incorporate some much needed help. Now I have someone to answer those emails, someone to answer those calls, and various other things. What a RELIEF! Why didn’t I do it sooner?! 🙂

If you answered กYesก to my first question above, heed my advice. Take off those bull horns and find a couple of people that you trust to help with some of your dauntless duties. And if your business is not big enough yet to incorporate help and you’re handling it just fine … don’t forget this advice when it grows right before your very eyes

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your BusinessInto A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

This article was posted on April 26, 2004

by Diane Hughes

Were You Bamboozled by Google?

Were You Bamboozled by Google?

by: Diane Hughes

Itกs still happening. กFlorida,ก กBoston,ก กGinger,ก and กBrandyก are just a few of the many Google updates that have hit within the last few months. And Google is still issuing periodic updates as we speak. No one can say for sure whats going on or what to expect. One thing is for sure… unless you want to get bamboozled by Google (again!), youd be wise to take action to prevent it now.

So many people were screaming (and still are) about losing tons of business due to Googles updates. Some have reported 30%, 50%, or even total losses. What can you do? After all, youre at the mercy of Google, right? WRONG!

Why Do Rankings Keep Changing?

Google, like many other engines, changes its algorithm (formula for calculating who ranks where) from timetotime in an effort to filter out spammers and deliver the most relevant search results possible.

Google has had updates since its very beginning. But now, depending on which theory you choose to believe, they are making more advancements that require more updates. This means, even if you rank at #1 this week, you might not make the top 30 next week.

How Do You Protect Yourself From Updates?

Diversify! It is never a good idea to have all your income generated by one source. You wouldnt depend on having all of your retirement savings from one source (thats exactly why mutual funds are so popular), and you wouldnt have all of your money in one bank. I mean, really! What if that one source went under? The same principle applies to Internet marketing.

While search engines are a phenomenal way to drive traffic to your website, they are most certainly not the only way. In order to ensure you are protected should Google (or whoever is the next กbigก search engine) change their formula yet again, you need to create a diversification plan.

Think of all the outlets that reach your target audience. Investigate each one to see how feasible it would be to market your site through those channels. Then implement a plan that includes several advertising avenues (including search engines) that as a whole generates as much (or more) business as you originally received from Google. That way, should one of these channels go down, your business would only be slightly affected.

Dont stop there! Twice a year youll want to go over your plan and be sure that everything is working, as it should. If one outlet begins to dwindle in its response, look into finding a replacement. This way you are never taken by surprise.

Once you have your diversification plan working for you, you will be in a much better position to be rest assured that the business you receive will be there for the long haul. You will also feel more comfortable that no one organization can cause the tremendous damage Google has caused and could cause again.

Copyright 2004 Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

This article was posted on April 09, 2004

by Diane Hughes

Making Press Releases Work Creating News Where N

Making Press Releases Work Creating News Where None Existed

by: Diane Hughes

Aren’t you tired of hearing how extremely easy it is to get free publicity? Have you tried the suggestions that most public relations กgurusก give you? The hard, cold truth of the matter is that you cannot write a press release about any old aspect of your business and have it end up on the home page of the Fortune Small Business Web site. It just doesn’t work that way. So how does it work, and what do you do if you need publicity but have nothing กnewsworthyก to share?
Thereกs another truth to publicity … you can create it if you need to, and itกs not that hard to do! Let me offer you useable suggestions that you can implement in order to gain some free exposure for your small business.
Offer A Donation to a Worthy Cause
One woman (a business coach) gave two scholarships to a local community college that catered to the underprivileged. She included two months of free businessbuilding coaching services for qualified applicants at the school. She set forth the criteria with the help of the college, and decided on how to choose the scholarship winners.
Press releases were sent out, and the media went wild! Of course they would … everyone loves to hear about people who are helping out the underdog. She received a lot of free promotion and boosted her image as a community leader, too.
Relate Your Product/Service to a Local/National News Event
Right now the United States is experiencing two very troubling problems that the media covers on a regular basis. The first is a drastic upswing in unemployment (especially in hightech fields). The second is an energy crisis (particularly in California).
If your product or service can somehow offer a solution (even a small one) to one of these two dilemmas, you stand a great chance of getting some publicity.
Perhaps you own a resume service that has an exceptional rate of success for one reason or another. Phrase your release so that it helps to solve the unemployment crisis (and does not blatantly promote your business) and youกll perk up some journalistกs ears.
Get In Line With Seasonal Events
The change in seasons always makes the news. In summertime, youกll find stories on safe vacation travel or the best airline deals. At the end of the year there is always coverage pertaining to New Yearกs Resolutions and how to keep them. Fall is generally a great time for gardeningtype businesses to remind everyone to plant now so their yards will look fabulous come springtime.
If your company can offer some viable information pertaining to seasonal events, a press release might be in order. Writing a release outlining how your online travel agency always gives clients a กvacation safetyก package that has proven to กsave the dayก in the past will bring out some interest in the local (and maybe national) media.
Above all, use your imagination. Pay attention to the newspapers, television news and magazines you come in contact with. Notice the types of stories they cover and then write a release that falls in line. You will soon be able to create news where none previously existed and gain some free exposure for yourself in the process!
Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

This article was posted on May 13, 2004

by Diane Hughes

Proven Ways To Dramatically Increase Your Conversi

Proven Ways To Dramatically Increase Your Conversion Rate

by: Diane Hughes

There is an old saying that I agree with 100%. กNothing kills a bad product faster than good advertising.ก

The same applies to Web sites. Nothing will suck up money faster than a poorly structured Web site that can’t convert sales.

You might have the best product in the world. However, if your site isn’t specifically designed to convert visitors to sales, you’ll be wasting a lot of money to bring traffic to a dead site. All your marketing efforts and advertising dollars will go right down the drain.

Before you begin or continue marketing your site, be sure you are ready to whiz customers through your ordering process with ease. Do a double check to ensure that your site can instill trust in your visitors.

So what do you need to do in order to dramatically increase conversions? There are a few simple, free things you can do right now that will pay off big time!

1) Reduce the number of clicks to purchase.

Make it easy for your visitors to find the information they need. Implement the threeclick rule. It should take no more than three clicks for your visitors to get from the index page to the checkout page. I can promise you that they will not hunt for a way to spend their money. They will simply leave.

2) Make your privacy policy obvious.

With all the spam and scams these days, customers are getting more and more weary of giving out personal information. They want to know exactly what you intend to do with it. So tell them! Make sure your privacy policy is upfront and easy to read.

3) State your guarantees immediately.

If you guarantee that customers will be pleased with your product or service, tell them. If you offer a moneyback guarantee, say so. This helps to build confidence. As we all know, people buy from those they trust.

4) Build a relationship with your visitors.

People also buy from those they like. Get personal. Use your กabout usก page to its fullest. Make the language friendly, and let the visitors know you are a real individual who cares about their problems and has a viable solution for them.

5) Offer multiple payment options.

Giving your visitors choices is always a good thing. This lets them feel as though they are in control.

6) Make yourself easily accessible.

Give a physical address and even a phone number on your site. Let the visitors know that should they have questions or problems you’ll be there to help them.

As you can see, all of the above relate to building trust and making the buying process a quick and easy one. These are two fundamental, but vital, areas of Internet marketing that many people overlook.

Once you have your site spiffedup and ready to convert then and only then begin driving traffic to it in droves. You’ll see a dramatic increase in sales!

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

This article was posted on September 29, 2004

by Diane Hughes

All The Comforts Of Home Or Home Office!

All The Comforts Of Home Or Home Office!

by: Diane Hughes

With the continued explosion of small business startups these days, home office setups are becoming more and more of an issue. You need all the standard equipment of a brick and mortar business, but can you afford them? And does it really make a difference? The answer to both questions is yes!

Many home business entrepreneurs feel that if they don’t have clients stopping by, they don’t need to have a good office setup. An old desk, your child’s forsaken bookshelf, a chair from the kitchen table, and a miscellaneous table or two will work just fine. The rest is just fluff.

However, consider these things. Every human being responds to his/her surroundings in one form or another. When your office looks like a professional place of business, you actually respond by being more professional with your clients and vendors. But more importantly, กleftoverก desks and chairs are normally not as comfortable as furniture specifically designed for an office. When you spend a tremendous amount of time at your desk, you physically need it to be as comfortable as possible.

Chairs that provide little support, desks that don’t offer enough space or aren’t ergonomically correct, and a setup that does not lend itself to ease and functionality often cause back, neck, shoulder, and eye strains. These may only manifest themselves in the form of fatigue at first, but eventually can develop into more serious conditions.

If you intend to work at home fulltime, make sure you have the best equipment you can have. You’ll need a chair designed to offer full support over long periods of time. You’ll want a desk that offers ample space, with a keyboard tray to help prevent shoulder strain. You’ll also need your monitor placed at eye level and to have even, natural lighting in the room.

Think you can’t afford all these things? Sure you can! Check your local phone directory for used office furniture. You’ll be amazed at the bargains you can find. I recently purchased a used desk that was in perfect condition for only $225. The new price was $650. Office chairs, bookcases, printer stands, lamps, and all types of other office furniture were available at 50%80% off. I could have revamped my entire office for the price of one desk bought at retail.

Other options? Check your Sunday newspaper for กgoing out of business postingsก, auctions, and used furniture listings. There are bargains to be found everywhere.

When it comes to your small business, you need to consider yourself and your wellbeing first. After all, if YOU aren’t in good shape, how can your business be? With a little investigation, you can have all the comforts of home (or home office) for a fraction of the cost.

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

This article was posted on September 03, 2004

by Diane Hughes

Want To Expand Your Business? Try Walking Barefoot

Want To Expand Your Business? Try Walking Barefoot in the Grass!

by: Diane Hughes

I hear it all the time. กI want to expand my business, but I don’t know how.ก Many online small business owners have this challenge. In all actuality, it’s not a business problem… rather a creativity problem.

For any given industry, there are dozens of ways to expand, reach new customers, develop new products, and offer more services. However, the struggle comes with trying to think of new ideas. กWhere do I expand to?ก กHow do I reach new customers?ก กWhat products or services should I add?ก These are all questions that can seem overwhelming to someone stuck sitting in front of a computer all day.

One way to open your mind to new possibilities is to get creative. When your creative juices start flowing, all sorts of ideas pop into your mind. Some may seem silly or inconceivable, but others will cause you to have กlight bulb momentsก where you’re amazed that you didn’t think of the idea before.

To break the monotony and open the floodgate of creativity, try doing some of the following. They are all กkidlikeก activities designed to eliminate the humdrum business thinking you’ve become accustomed to and free your mind to unlimited possibilities.

1. Walk barefoot in the grass. When was the last time you took your shoes off and strolled around your yard? While you’re walking, notice the birds in the trees, the crickets beneath your feet, and the shapes of the clouds overhead. Take time to just relax and dream again.

2. Buy a set of building blocks. Or you can borrow some from your children! Use your imagination to construct anything you want. Be unique… think like a kid and create a true masterpiece.

3. Forget about being wrong. Kids never care if they’re wrong. If you tell them they can’t do something, they simply say, กOh yes I can!ก Rather than looking at new business ideas from a กit’ll probably failก pointofview, take the กoh yes I canก stance.

4. Rearrange your office or workspace. Sometimes just the slightest change in your routine can spark creativity. Change the placement of your desk, add some plants, hang an overhead light, or alter some other aspect of your workspace.

When you take the time to nurture your creativity, it will pay off in ways you never imagined. And isn’t that the point? Learn to imagine the unimaginable and make your business soar!

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane.

This article was posted on November 02, 2004

by Diane Hughes

Are You Walking the Talk?

Are You Walking the Talk?

by: Diane Hughes

I saw a television commercial the other day. It actually made me laugh out loud. It wasn’t funny กha ha,ก it was funny ironic. A local telephone service provider was singing its own praises about what wonderful service it provided. กYeah, sure!ก I thought. I used to live in the area that this particular provider covered, and I know for a fact their service is anything but wonderful.

Many online business owners commit this same sin. They make a point to tell their visitors what exceptional service theyกll receive, how quick theyกll be responded to, how innovative their products are, or a hundred other promises. Then, when a complaint comes in, or phone messages are left, nothing happens. They don’t walk the talk.

How many times has it happened to you personally? You ordered a product or service from the กNet. You had a problem or a simple question. You called the customer service number (or sent an email) and. nothing. How did you feel? Most likely irritated, frustrated, and taken advantage of.

Yes, itกs extremely popular to give claims of customer service right now. The กNet has suffered from กWild, Wild Westก syndrome far too long and surfers are demanding the attention they deserve. However, simply making claims will do you more harm than good.

Don’t promise what you can’t deliver. Before putting claims of any kind on your site, consider these tips:

If you say your product/service กwillก do something, make darn sure it does. every time!

If you offer ก24/7 serviceก be prepared to answer emails or phone calls cheerfully and graciously at 3:00am when someone overseas phones you.

If you make claims of giving ก100% satisfaction guaranteedก refunds, get ready to fork over the money without asking any questions whatsoever. กI wasn’t satisfiedก is all the customer has to tell you to take advantage of your offer.

UNDER promise and OVER deliver. If you ‘thinkก you can get back to customers within 24 hours, tell them it will take 48 hours. This way, when you call them sooner, theyกll be thrilled with the attentive service you offer.

Stop and think. Before putting any claims on your site service, delivery, refunds, product features, service benefits. ANY claims have an outside party check behind you. Does it work? Is it fast? Are you cheerful? Will it actually wake me up, start the coffee, and heat the water for my shower all at the same time? If not, don’t put it in your copy.

Online customers have had enough. They are paying more attention online and expecting more from the Web businesses they deal with. Above all use ethics, manners, and good common sense in your business dealings. Stand behind what you say. When you do, youกll find the profits from your longterm relationships and the increase in your reputation will far outweigh any shortterm sales trends.

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

This article was posted on December 08, 2004

by Diane Hughes

The Pitfalls Of Using Technology For Technology’s

The Pitfalls Of Using Technology For Technology’s Sake

by: Diane Hughes

Being a longtime Internet entrepreneur, I have made certain observations over time. Most people who start an online business seem to go through certain กphases.ก They make the same mistakes, and they react the same to different circumstances. All the while, they never realize that much of this behavior sends a glaring red signal that they are undoubtedly newbies.

There is nothing wrong with being a newbie (after all, I wasn’t born this brilliant grin). But ask any novice and they will tell you that they don’t want to appear to be a beginner. That’s why I recently felt the need to bring attention to a typical newbie mistake that you’ll want to avoid. That mistake is using every single piece of new Web technology you can find JUST because it is available.

I understand the appeal of new technology. However, before loading up yet another animated graphic or phasing Web page, ask yourself a few questions.

1. Will this technology add value to my site? By value I mean something that will enhance (and not clutter) your Web visitor’s experience. Other than being cool, will the technology help in some way?

2. Will the technology cause an inconvenience to my visitors? Will an all Flash home page force visitors (even repeat visitors) to sit and watch a twominute long movie each and every time they come to your site? Will tons of animated or rotating graphics files make your home page load extremely slow? Web surfers are very impatient people, you know. I can tell you from experience, they won’t wait.

3. Does the technology require that my site visitor do anything? Will your visitors have to download any special software or plugins to see your site with this new technology? If so, skip it! It isn’t worth the chance of visitors clicking away.

4. Is the technology stable? Is the chat program you’ve installed reliable? Does that new java script work the way it should? Does that streaming video feed skip and crash? If your new technology doesn’t perform up to speed 99% of the time, it isn’t worth causing aggravation to your visitors.

Before making any technological enhancements to your site, think about your visitors. Yes, the new technology may be cool, but if it doesn’t offer some true value to your customers, you would most likely be better off and more professional looking without it.

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

This article was posted on September 21, 2004

by Diane Hughes

Who Says the Customer is Always Right?

Who Says the Customer is Always Right?

by: Diane Hughes

We all know the old adage, ‘the Customer is Always Right.ก If you are an online business owner or offline for that matter, you are on both sides of the subject almost everyday.

Before I started my online business, I was just on one side… the customer. I wholeheartedly believed in the above adage and never questioned it at all. In fact, I would get rather perturbed at ANY business owner, manager, or supervisor that would disagree with any complaint I had.

When I started my own online business back in 1997, I slowly began to learn the กother side.ก

My business products are all downloadable. If your business includes downloaded material, you know where Iกm going with this one. I get NUMEROUS complaints EVERYDAY about usernames and passwords not working, corrupt downloads, and the big one… กI can’t open the download.ก Now I always reply in a very helpful gesture, but my first question is always, กAre you entering the username and password exactly as shown?ก This seems to be one of the กbiggiesก with newbies. They do not understand กcasesensitiveก heck they don’t even know what that means!

But it doesn’t matter HOW simple I make the instructions and overall download process, I STILL get these everyday. I am accused of being a กscammerก at least 4 5 times a week… and thatกs on a GOOD week! :o)

The whole point of the above example is NOT that customers are wrong thatกs not the problem at all. Many of them are very new to the internet and sadly, they do not read through the directions most of the time. I have found that I basically have to put myself back into the กnewbieก frame of mind as hard as that is to do! I don’t remember NOT knowing how to download, enter casesensitive passwords, etc.

You MUST try to understand that customer… at the point of contact, whether by email or phone, they have probably sat there for HOURS trying to figure it out. They are irritated, angry, and theyกve pretty much decided at that point that you scammed them.

Yes, itกs irritating getting these กdumbก questions and emails even when you have them broken down so simply in the instructions. But face it, you’re going to get them and you will get them often as more and more climb on the กweb wagon.ก

When I get a very insulting email (yes, I HAVE been called the กBword,ก the กMFword,ก and recently a new one that I have never heard before… it was quite disgusting), I do not answer it immediately. I let my initial anger subside. When I can read through it and giggle… itกs time to answer. I find that 80 90% of the time, the customer is VERY embarrassed of their initial email by the time I have helped them courteously through their problems.

I had to learn this process through time. Believe me… I am a VERY sensitive person and I used to take these to heart. It HURT! I had to revert back to my กcustomer sideก as well as the กnewbieก frame of mind and do my best to understand the personกs anger.

One angry customer can lead to thousands if not millions in lost business revenue! Especially on the internet. That one customer tells one friend who in turn tells another and so on a so forth. You COULD get a real กpsychoก customer that decides to start a website all about YOUR company and YOUR poor service or product.

Watch that one spread like a virus! :o)

On the other hand, exercise great customer service (get those emails answered within 24 hours, folks) and watch the *praise* of your company spread! I guarantee that you just GAINED thousands in sales!

MOST importantly remember these three things:

** LOVE YOUR CUSTOMER

** UNDERSTAND YOUR CUSTOMER

** VALUE YOUR CUSTOMER

You are NOTHING without them. Treat them like gold and you will RECEIVE gold in return!

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

This article was posted on April 20, 2004

by Diane Hughes