The internet is being used more and more by the average person. It has become a major source of advertising for people who would not step into the world of products and services as easily. Individuals have so much to offer yet in the past would forgo pursuing because of the costs and difficulty of getting things advertised. Then along came cyberspace. And with cyberspace came an incredible power to reach millions of people. This opened up a whole new world for a person to not only explore but to get themselves and their products and/or services seen in homes and businesses around the world. There are numerous ways to utilize the internet to market to others.

One way is to set up a website for either information or to include shopping pages with a shopping cart. Just recently the ease of one page websites has made it easier and more cost effective to advertise a product for purchase. With newer programs in place the average person can develop a simple website that will speak effectively and efficiently. Your product could be a virtual product such as an e-book or e-course. The page could also advertise items for purchase that need to be shipped which could be just about anything you can imagine.

The second way that you can become known on the internet is to create a blog.  Blogging has become a huge way to get information out to thousands of people. Although there is an etiquette as to how you can advertise in your blog, people connect and pass information along with simple entries on their blogs. With ways to get updates, your reader can just sign up to get those updates without having to go out to your blog, your blog comes to them via email. This is an easy way to network with others and gain internet recognition as well. A blog is a website and when it is done well can prove to be an asset to your business.

A third way to attract others to you and/or your website is to write articles. These articles become an information source to the readers. As you become more known by writing articles the chances are that people will be more likely to visit your website or websites that you recommend. Make sure that your articles are not blatant advertising because that is likely to turn people away after a time. Articles offer information and assistance to your reader. Even if your reader does not go to your website, they have gained valuable information and are more likely to past that along to others. These others could then be those people who do visit your website.

As with anything, it takes time to become proficient with using the internet to connect with people no matter where they are. These are only a few simple ways to reach people on the internet. But if you keep at it and find other people who have gone before you to become successful, you too will grow and create your own success. There are a lot of resources available to help you in whatever direction you decide to go. There are also many other directions you can take to get known or make money using the internet.

There is no real secret to building any business when you start with a foundation of principles. Every online business owner has learned from someone who has paved a way. But the most successful entrepreneurs have always understood these important principles when building their businesses.

Be careful what you promise

So many new entrepreneurs whether online or offline, get caught up in the excitement of starting a new business that they promise the world to their visitors. But unfortunately, when it get to hard tacks, they find that much of what they promised was not conceivable for them to give at the time. Their reputation takes a fall and it takes awhile to rebuild credibility with past and future consumers.

Do everything you promise

When you do promise something, make sure that it is something that you can deliver and deliver it. Your consumer is basing their opinion on what you promise and the delivery of that promise. Whether it is a product, service or anything else, fulfill your promises and you will see your business grow. Your consumers will recommend your business to others when they receive what they expect to receive.

Do something extra than what you promise.

Going above and beyond the call of duty will build great business rapport faster than any general forms of advertising. Customer service is a form of going the extra mile. When your customer service is top notch your customer base will increase with quality consumers. The after sale is sometimes more important than the sale itself. Repeat customers are happy customers and referring customers as well.

When you implement these principles to building your business online you will experience the benefits of building that online business also. Once you set your mind on being successful there is nothing that will stop you. You will find ways to be disciplined…create time… come up with new ideas and enjoy sharing what you know. Put in the effort and you will reap the results.  

 In this day and age of internet accessibility it is not difficult to get the word out about your business. But it is helpful to know some key ways to effectively reach thousands if not millions of people. One particular way is through the writing and publishing of newsletters. There are at least three different types but several different advantages to either form of newsletter.

HTML Newsletter is a newsletter that has graphics, pictures and areas to advertise products or services that you may offer. This form is more visual and takes a little longer to create. It is usually put out once a month or every other month. the basic design normally stays the same but the content is what changes. People like Jack Canfield and Alan Cohen and many others use this form of newsletter to promote their businesses. It is usually sent by an autoresponder of some kind.

Webpage Newsletter is a newsletter that is created on a webpage within a website that looks similar to the HTML letter. One difference is that an autoresponder message is usually sent to the subscribers with the link to the page containing the actual letter. There are several internet gurus that have used this form of newsletter distribution as well.

Text Newsletter is the most common of those used but is the least that actually look like a newsletter. These usually are messages sent by an autoresponder with only text content and not pictures or graphics. They are generally used to advertise either the senders products and services or those that they affiliate with. They are also used to announce upcoming events such as teleseminars, webinars, seminars and various other things that come up that can enhance your continued education in what ever your niche is.

These are all effective ways to advertise you business on the internet. It also is a way to stay informed as to what others to include your mentors and coaches are doing and how you can stayed connected between times when you are actually attending an event. When you go to someone’s website you with find an area to subscribe to that persons updates or newsletters to stayed connected. You can unsubscribe at any time as well.

The internet business owner can not only promote what they have to offer, they can also do trainings as well.  Entreperneurs like Alex Mendossian, Jeff Herring, Andy Andrews and many, many others use video to share messages,  make announcements of new programs and new offers regularly using video as the media means to reach their followers and students.  This creates that all too important personal touch that the internet can sometimes leave out.  Who is the person behind the website or voice or email?  Like it has been said that people will do business with those they know, like and trust.  What better a way besides meeting someone face to face than to hear them and see them on video. 

Most cameras these days have a video function on them and now the ever popular Flip Video Recorder makes doing random footage quite easy. Nowadays it is also advisable to get testimonials for credibility and what better way to do it and share them.   Windows has a movie maker that makes editing and adding titles and URL’s easy as well.  So if you are serious about building an online marketing business, it would be wise to look into adding video to your work and watch it grow.  One nice thing about posting to YouTube is that others can share your video with those that they know or those who  follow them and your message becomes viral and can travel all over the world.  Imagine how many lives you can touch.

Some of us reach our goals and experienced dreams that came true.  But the buck does not stop here.  If you are in the numbers of individuals that did acquire success in your endeavors and reach your finishline, now is the time to start a new race.  On the internet as with many other types of business that delivers great success, we are always in training for the next level.  A longer race, a higher mountain, a deeper sea or whatever your heart chooses to call it.  None the less, it is not over as opposed to a new beginning.  Another step up on your staircase to success, which by the way is a journey and not a destination.  Your reached goals are a destination that take you to the next opportunity to grow. 

So with 2010 here and waiting for your next move, the first move you need to make is to determine where you want to go by New Years Eve next year.  Your goal list must include your action list.  Making a list of goals will not get you to your dreams and suitable lifestyle.  The action you take to get there is the fuel that makes your vehicle (goals) advance.  Decide how much time and money will you invest to continue training and learning the most current technology and information.  And last but not least at all, is what will your celebration look like?  I am looking forward to traveling with you on that journey for the next amazing year!

In so many cases when an opportunity arises people begin to question the outcome by saying what if.  When this happens, it causes a hesitation in either the decision making or the forward movement.  What if the project isn’t stable?  What if people don’t buy? What if my partner cheats me or takes advantage of me?  What if they don’t like me?  What if I don’t make any money?  What if, What if, What if?  The problem is that you can what if yourself right into a corner or out of a deal or opportunity that could take you right down the road of success.

Without taking risk, you will not open doors to step through and will find yourself look at walls or out of windows while other people are creating a lifestyle that they choose to live.  I just recently had to face that dilema but learned some very important lessons on the way.  I also created a logo and built a great website for someone else for the first time and gained loads of confidence even though my so called partner refused to pay me for my work.  She says we had a deal however all the email indicated that the so called agreement was never produced with any specifics in hardcopy and signed.  Even though I had a feeling things were not on the up and up and saw some not so  great patterns emerging, I continued to move forward with the expectation the the project was a great one and worth pursueing at the time.  Unfortunately, this woman was not one of her word and integrity and I ended up leaving the project without any compensation for my contributions.

The great thing is that I learn more about doing business with written agreements in place prior to the launch and engagement of your time and talents.  Because some people are not as honorable as you may be and without documentation or a paper trail they could say just about anything.

So when faced with a new opportunity or project, it is good to check out the specifics but don’t stifle yourself by adding the “What if” syndrome to the mix.  Sometimes it is an advantage to get your feet wet a little especially when building an online business before making a final decision on whether that opportunity or project is right for you.  And some people do not show their true selves till you are around them more.  There are enough road blocks in life that can slow you down or change your path with adding that age old “What If”

So with this Holiday coming to a conclusion I am honored at the opportunity to send a Heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving to all those who have been a part of my life in even the smallest of ways to the largest of adventures.  Take the time to wish blessings to those who have been an intricate part of your life and your success.

And for those of faith, whatever that may be for you….May God bless you with His riches of prosperity and joy that your life will blossom into a glorious future to share with others. Each dream that we have was placed in our hearts with love and there to achieve to that we may be a blessing as well.

Happy Thanksgiving to You and your Friends and Family

Bonnie

A retweet or RT as you will see it is someone who repeats a post that someone else wrote and gives them the credit for the tweet by putting RT in front or the writers username.  Sometimes it is a quote or saying that someone likes or it is a product that is worthy of a repeat to the world of social networking.  There is an advantage to having someone retweet your post.  This allows your information to go to their entire network as well as your network which gives you a broader reader base. 

When you retweet a post, it shows appreciation for the information and creates a basis for future relationships with the people involved.  These people will watch your information more and pass it on when it is appropriate.  By retweeting someones material you are also placing value on the post by acknowledging the content and any links that the post may have. 

Also by using the retweet option, you begin to build a basis for your own brand.  Make sure when you retweet, that the information is good information and not just links to junk and other spam type advertising.  This builds a loyalty and trust for your followers when they know you are passing on great and relevant material. They will also trust your links to whatever it may be that you are promoting or content on your website.  When you are courteous and respectful you will find that there are more followers and more traffic to your websites which is a great recipe for success.

So I played around this morning with the camcorder attached to my computer (it is an older one)and made this video.  It is not the greatest of quality at this point but now I become real to thousands if not millions of people.  Video can be shot with your camera, a camcorder and even the webcam in or on your computer.  I even edited it, giving it a title and credits which made it more desirable.  You can learn this too.  Although I learned this a while ago I did not embrace it till I experienced the training of Joel Bauer at a seminar here in Vegas.  Alex Mandossian also taught this on a stage at a Peak Potentials Event not long ago. 

So with out further adou….My video
Remember if you are not willing to promote yourself….who else do you think will?

Your list is those people who are interested in what you are offering and in what information that you are providing.  If you are an affiliate marketer, these are also the people whom you will market the products and services that have helped you build your business or people that you follow for their expertise.  Once you have created a product or service of your own, your list is the lifeline to the internet and thousands of other possible visitors to you blog or website. 

It is so important to provide great information and tips or suggestions as well as purchasable materials to add value for your followers to use in their businesses.  Sometimes just a note of encouragement or acknowlegement to let them know that they are appreciated is a welcome for many who receive your email.

n autoresponder is the most common way to build your list and stay in touch on a regular basis.  I use an autoresponder system that allows me to have several different websites feed into one location for easy access.  The Incredible Shopping Cart has helped me to change my business from minimal exposure to contact with many many amazing people.  I share the products and services in the form of affiliations that have assisted me in building my business.  Sometimes I share books that I have read or seminar events that I have gone to or am going to attend in the process of continuing my education.  You do not need an extremely huge list to create an income and help others along the way.  Remember not to abuse the information that your list provides to you and provide an opt out in case there are a few who would like to stop receiving your information.  Once in a while they return and bring more with them when you respect their decision and just say Thank You for their time. Your list is a tremendous value to your online success.  Treat it as such.