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======================================================== The Promotion World Informer Issue #74 June 21, 1999 ISSN 1488-1675 Edited by Joshua Reimer - http://www.promotionworld.com ======================================================== This issue of the Informer is sponsored by: ---------------------------------------------- HIT YOUR AUDIENCE! Target by interests, demographics, and geographies using direct email marketing. All sources are verifiable. All recipients have opted-in. Prices as low as .01 per subscriber. Response rates have been recorded as high as 25%. Visit http://e-target.com/ads/informer.htm to view 350+ lists in more than twenty categories. Two million individuals are just an email away. ---------------------------------------------- Now with over 6245 subscribers! Advertising Information --> http://www.promotionworld.com/sponsor.html ================================================================ Contents Of This Issue: - Editor's Notes - Cool Quotes - Friendly Advice from the Editor - Sponsor Message - "Can't Live Without It" Software - Bookmarkable Bookmarks - The Discussion Board - Sponsor Message - Offline Presentations - A Small Request - Misc. Information ======================== Editor's Notes ====================== We have a very full issue today for you, so I will keep this short. Just so you know, though, I am going to be away for the next few weeks, so the next issue of The Informer won't be till July 12. I know you will miss it... but these things happen! The Informer is sent only to those who have expressly requested it. If you no longer wish to receive it, simply follow the simple unsubscribe instructions at the end of this newsletter. ========================== Cool Quotes ======================== Things are more like they are now than they ever were before. - Former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility. - Lee DeForest, inventor. Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves. - Abraham Lincoln Download all the past Cool Quotes by sending any email to <mailto:quotes@promotionworld.com&> Enjoy! =============== Friendly Advice from the Editor ============== Packaging Content for Links by Joshua Reimer This week I am going to give you even more ideas for generating more links pointing towards your site. As I mentioned last week, I am simply trying to get you to think creatively about your website promotion ideas. If you can package some of your website's content into weekly, daily or hourly packages, you should be able to receive many links back from other sites. How does this work? Granted, it won't work for everyone. It is also more effort than most of the other ideas I have presented over the last few weeks. But if you can come up with a number of rotating tips, quotes, ideas or news items, and let other webmasters display them on their sites (with a link back to yours for more, of course!), you could generate substantial amounts of traffic. CoolSig is one site that utilizes this method. At <http://www.coolsig.com/get_coolsig.htm> you will find instructions on how to add The Coolsig Randomizer to your site - it will display a quick quote to all your visitors. The idea is that it gives added content to the partner sites, and thus attracts more visitors. CoolSig, of course, gets the best part of the deal, with a nice big link next to each quote displayed. Another notable example is iSyndicate at <http://www.isyndicate.com/>. Using this service, you can display customized news headlines on your website for free - including, of course, a link back to iSyndicate's site. I have used their service with a fair amount of success. My customized Internet News Headlines page at <http://www.promotionworld.com/news.html> has had a lot of attention. By now you may have ideas of how you can package your content and let others use it in exchange for links back to your site. You are probably also wondering how you would technically do this. Here are a couple of options: - You could implement it using a JavaScript. This is how the CoolSig Randomizer was made. I recommend you have a surf through <http://www.javascripts.com/> for information on JavaScript. - You could use some form of CGI script, which is what iSyndicate uses. <http://www.cgi-resources.com/> is the best website to learn about CGI scripts. - You could have other webmasters simply link to an image file on your server, which you manually change every 24 hours, or however often you wanted it rotated. These are just a couple of ideas to get you going. I am sure that you technical types can think of many more! Next issue, unless something else hits me before then (or one of you guys writes in with more ideas), I will be wrapping up this series on generating links back to your site. Till then, Joshua Editor/webmaster/ad sales guy/everything else at Promotion World. <http://www.promotionworld.com> ======================= Sponsor Message ======================= DRAMATICALLY INCREASE YOUR WEB SITE TRAFFIC: ************************************************* First-time Make Me Your Home Page software users will see your home page the next time they open their Web browser. MMYHP software increases traffic to your Web site by allowing your visitors to change the home page setting of their browsers at the click of a button, to point to your Web site instead of to the default setting. This generates a dramatic increase in unique visitors to your site, providing tremendous value to sites that generate revenue from advertising . CNBC reported that, amazingly, one half of web users do not know how to perform this basic function manually. Increase Your Return Web Traffic at http://www.makemeyourstartpage.com ============ "Can't Live Without It" Software =========== "Can't Live Without It" Software by Jennifer Johnson If you've been designing sites for any length of time at all, you've probably compiled a list of software you can't live without. We all have programs that have saved our (ahem) sites more than once, right? Today I'd like to share with you a few of the programs that are near and dear to my heart as a webmaster. I use these programs all the time and would highly recommend each of them. NotePad *FREE* Want versatility when creating your web pages? Look no further, NotePad gives you complete freedom and control over how your page will appear. Best of all this is a free program for Windows. Of course one of the drawbacks to using NotePad as opposed to a fancy editor is that there will be lots of trial and error (and trial and error and trial and error...) to get the page to display the way you want. If you're using a Mac, I believe SimpleText will serve the same function. If you'd like to look for a new or different text editor, try Snap!'s Software >> Text Editors section: (http://www.snap.com/directory/category/0,16,-1313,00.html). Eudora Lite *FREE* I love this email program! If you're like me and use AOL, you might be wondering, "Why shouldn't I just use my AOL address or have my mail forwarded to it"? Of course it's fine if you want to do that, but there are a couple of big advantages to using Eudora Lite *if* you have POP3 access with your hosting company. The first advantage is that you have the option to use SIG files; something we AOL users aren't able to do even with all the email features added in the newest version (unless you want to copy and paste a SIG file into every single email - I don't). Another advantage is that it allows you to use mail filters. So if you want all your orders to go to one "mailbox", all your customer service questions to go to another "mailbox", etc. it's very easy for you to set it up to do so. There are several more advantages, but those are a couple of the "biggies". Eudora Pro, which has more features - including PGP (US and Canada) - is available for a fee, but I've found Eudora Lite works just fine for me. It's free for download from the Eudora site at: (http://www.eudora.com). Paint Shop Pro 5 $99 If you know me, you know that I can't say enough good things about JASC's Paint Shop Pro. I absolutely adore this program! Sure, PhotoShop may have it beat as far as features, etc., but I promise it's not anything that the average web site owner would notice. If you have six or seven hundred dollars lying around, go for PhotoShop; if you're on a little tighter budget, Paint Shop Pro will probably be one of the best investments you'll make. Visit the Digital Gallery while you're at the JASC web site and once you view the incredible artwork people have created using PSP, you'll see why I say it's more than adequate for handling the day-to-day tasks of the average web site owner. When you purchase PSP 5, you'll also receive Animation Shop which will help you get those animated banners in action. You can purchase it online from JASC (http://www.jasc.com), but I bought my copy considerably cheaper from my local computer store. WS_FTP Pro 6.0 $37.50 WS_FTP is the only program I've ever used to upload files to my site. It's simple to use and it's very inexpensive. You can download a 30 day evaluation copy if you'd like to try it out before purchasing. For more information on WS_FTP, visit this site: (http://www.ipswitch.com/products/ws_ftp/). Gebbie Press Media Info (prices vary) We've all had the experience of writing a press release and then spending 30 or 40,000 years trying to compile a list of editors to send it to, right? The simple fact is, it's just way too time-consuming to "do it yourself" in most cases. Enter Gebbie Press. For about the price of sending out one release using a press release distribution service, you can own a set of diskettes that will allow you to send multiple releases. Gebbie can provide you with contact information for TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines in the US. Does this mean you'll have the email address for every publication? No. Does it mean that you won't have any bounced mail? No. But, even considering dealing with the lack of email addresses for some publications and the undeliverables that inevitably occur with any big mailing, I found Gebbie an invaluable resource for sending out my press release. If you still aren't convinced, check out their site at: (http://www.gebbiepress.com). Like everything else, this isn't for everyone, but I think lots of webmasters will find their media guides a dream come true. WebPosition Gold Standard Edition $149 If you feel like you're banging your head against the wall trying to get a good search engine ranking, don't give up yet, there's still hope. WebPosition Gold can help you create gateway pages that (theoretically should) rank high for a specific keyword or phrase on a specific search engine. Will this guarantee you a top 10 rating with no effort? No, of course not! It could, however, help you make progress in the search engine game and increase traffic to your site. For more information on WebPosition Gold, visit this site: (http://www.webposition.com/cgi-local/index.pl?DS1=RP&DS2=D9O-55CD). These are a few of the software titles I use and recommend. This list should give you some ideas for starting or expanding your list of web design/promotion software. Subscribe to Jennifer's free weekly Internet marketing newsletter and receive site design and promotion tips, graphic design tips, product/service reviews, tips on writing effective copy, hot links and more! To subscribe, send any email to: <mailto:A_I_M-subscribe@listbot.com> PromotingYourSite.com <http://www.promotingyoursite.com> Free information on site design and promotion. ================== Bookmarkable Bookmarks =================== FreeWareFiles Lots of freeware to choose from here. <http://freewarefiles.com/> WebAdverts Looking for an excellent, shareware banner rotation/statistics program? I use it, and it is very easy to use. My advertisers like it, too. Set up is a bit tricky, though. <http://awsd.com/scripts/webadverts/> Customizable Currency Converter In exchange for a link, you can include this helpful customizable currency converter on your website. Your overseas customers will appreciate this touch. <http://www.oanda.com/site/ccc_intro.html> =================== The Discussion Board ==================== This week's quote from the discussion board: "For a better listing in the Infoseek search engine, try submitting to the Infoseek Directory! You say "How do I do that?" "I can't find the submit button." That's right, there is no submit button. To get listed in the directory you must send them an e-mail. "What's the Address?" Send an e-mail to "url_review@infoseek.com" In the body give; 1) your address 2) your preferred path of the site in their directory i.e. "GO Web sites > Travel > Places to visit > Middle East > By country > Israel " 3) And then a short (I mean short) description of your site. You will then get a reply right-a-way from Infoseek that says "Thank you for submitting your site to Go. Your site will be reviewed by a Directory manager for possible inclusion in the Go Web Directory." Once you get a listing in the Infoseek directory, your Infoseek search results will rise! I hope this helps! Michael Scutt webmaster of The Israel Vacation Directory Your source for all of your Israel needs! http://www.vacationisrael.com E-mail me at webmaster@vacationisrael.com " Read and comment on the full discussion online at: <http://www.promotionworld.com/discus/messages/44/454.html> Get in on our discussions! At least stop by to see what you are missing out on. <http://www.promotionworld.com/discus/> ======================= Sponsor Message ======================= ***LIST YOUR SITE & ONLY PAY FOR RESULTS -- GoTo.com*** When you list your site on GoTo.com, you can get the top search listing and targeted sales leads for pennies per click. You only pay when someone clicks on your listing, and you control your site's ranking in the search results! Itis keyword advertising for pennies per click! Sign up now with a minimum of $25 and GoTo.com will add $5 to your account. If you're not happy, do nothing. If you're happy with the results you get with GoTo.com, just add more money to your account when it gets low. Click here: http://www.goto.com/d/advertisers/p/generic/?o=22&Promo=promoworld_C ================== Offline Presentations =================== Offline Presentations by Julie T. Meyer My last article included public speaking as a tool to improve the effectiveness of one's web site(s). Many, however, find extensive root canal work more appealing than a public speaking opportunity. Furthermore, as cyberpreneurs we tend to remain in front of a monitor more often than we should. The following article contains numerous recommendations in making the off-line, live presentations that we not only can't avoid, but should increase, in order to increase awareness of our cyber offerings. Good Presentations Solve Problems The majority of presentations are approached as selling opportunities or sales calls. Successful presenters, instead, capitalize on these opportunities to improve their prospects' lives and solve problems for them. Presentations approached with this perspective combined with thorough planning, targeted content, impeccable support materials, and poised and polished delivery will be successful. Improving lives and solving problems is a tall order. And, you won't be able to do it until you convince your audience that you care enough to improve their lives and have the ability to solve their problems. You do this by impeccably managing every logistic of your presentation. The Logistics of "When" and "Where" To remain consistent with our primary objective of improving our attendees' lives and solving their problems - the time and location of your presentation should be determined by your audience's preferences. People are generally less receptive to time slots when they'd rather be asleep, eating or away from the office all together like 7am, noon and 7pm. On the other hand, if those time slots accommodate your attendees' daily schedules, becoming an early bird or night owl will go a long way when it comes to the perception of your willingness to accommodate. Is it preferable for your attendee's to save traveling time by having you present in their environs? Or, do they want to view the facilities in which production occurs and, therefore, have you present in your place of business? Accessibility, by whatever modes of transportation attendees will use, should also be an overriding factor when selecting the location for a presentation to be attended by representatives from multiple organizations and locations. And, after they arrive, they must be comfortable. Adequate seating and lighting; comfortable temperature; audible sound; visible visuals; appropriate, sufficient and tasty food and beverage for any mealtime event; and sufficient quantities of any materials for distribution must all be in place for your attendees to feel that you care enough to improve their lives and have the ability to solve their problems. Fastidious attention to time frame -- punctual beginning, breaks and ends, also significantly contribute to the credibility of your abilities. The "Who" Logistic Both pediatricians and parents have an overwhelming concern for children's health. Yet, it would be a grave error to present the benefits of a new allergy medication the same way to the two very different audiences. The reputation, success of previous allergy products, and the reliability of the manufacturer are more relevant points to the medical audience. Whereas lack of side effects, cost and taste are higher priorities for the parents who have to cope with the child taking the medication and the bills. As a presenter, you are only improving your audience's lives and solving their problems if you address the issues that concern them. You will also find that you have considerably more success addressing these concerns if you don't over- or underwhelm your attendees with information. How much is too much or too little? Many successful presenters look to the proverbial "Rule of 3" as their guideline. Our brains best retain and react to information grouped in 3s. That's why athletes begin competition after hearing "Ready, set, go" and productions commence following the command "Lights, camera, action." So, as long as you don't "Ready, aim, fire", you'll be right on target with the contents you select to present. Finally, the more your attendees can identify with the data you present to qualify your solutions to their problems, the more convincing it will be. Broad statistics like "75% of the 10 million annual European widget purchases are made in the second quarter" will be significantly less convincing to your audience of widget distributors than "3 out every 4 widgets you sell are purchased in April and May." The "What (They See)" Logistic How much of what you say will your audience recall? Studies have shown that, per hour of presentation, attendees retain 10 minutes worth of information when visuals are not used and 30 minutes of information when speakers supplement their words with some form of graphic reinforcement. The choices are many and should not be made lightly. Transparencies: Simplest, least expensive, can be modified and expanded during presentation, do not require darkened room Slides : More costly; require more lead time Computerized Visuals : Convey high tech image AS LONG AS NOTHING GOES WRONG Flip Chart : Informal; spontaneous; encourages and recognizes participation Video : Expensive; generally speakers can only elaborate before and after as opposed to the continuous opportunities that other mediums offer. The appearance of visuals is as important as selecting the appropriate type. The most effective visuals contain the least amount of information. Each one should address no more than one point and none of the lines should exceed six words. They should be prepared in an easily readable typeface and color, if used, should enhance as opposed to overwhelm the message. Also, don't forget to take advantage of the powerful opportunity in the title position of every visual. Instead of summarizing with visual titles like "Annual Revenues" or "Production Rates", reinforce your objective of improving your audience's life and solving their problems with messages like "ABC Widgets Increase Annual Revenues" or "Production Rates Improved in 30 - 60 Days". Your audience will also see a great deal beyond the graphics you prepare to accompany your message such as your dress and demeanor. So dress and act appropriately. Sometimes that means a business suit and, sometimes, it doesn't. Know when it does and when it doesn't. In the event you are the least bit unsure, ask the individual with whom you are making arrangements. And, don't forget to ask about "Casual Fridays" as increasing numbers of companies observe them. Also make sure you are heard and that you maintain as much eye contact as possible. Arrange (and rehearse with!) a microphone if you are softspoken or are speaking to a group larger than you feel you can amply project to without tiring. Come out from behind the podium whenever possible. The fewer barriers between you and your audience will convey greater accessibility to your services or products. And, leave your jingly change and chewing gum anyplace but in front of the audience! Printed materials can be distributed during or after presentations to enhance your verbal and visual messages. However, the only effective handouts and leave-behinds are those that improve your attendees' lives and solve their problems with useful and accurate information that is presented clearly and attractively. When preparing printed material to accompany presentations, presenters should assume that extracts of it will be duplicated and distributed for consideration. Therefore, include some form of contact information -- at least company name, phone number and url -- on every page so your materials improve your life as well as solve problems for all of the individuals who view them. The "How (They Respond)" Logistic Many presenters find not knowing what will be asked during a closing question and answer session the most intimidating aspect of a presentation. Unexpected questions are significantly less unsettling when approached with the mindset that one of the following three responses will answer any question- 1. Yes (with elaboration, of course). 2. No (with alternate elaboration, of course). 3. I don't know but I will look into that intriguing issue and get back to you this afternoon/week/etc. A request for information beyond the scope of your presentation is a golden opportunity to further improve the life of the individual with the question by solving yet another problem for him. Your attendee's questions are a barometer of their reception to, and understanding of, what you presented to them. And, if you're fortunate enough to receive one or more that require further research, it is an additional proving ground for your own capabilities. The "Why (Your Presentation Will or Won't Be Successful)" Logistic Successful presentations improve attendees' lives and solve problems for them. Every presentation approached with this perspective and impeccable management of the logistics addressed in this article will be successful. You'll also find your own life greatly improved when you solve problems for your prospects instead of just selling things to them. Julie T. Meyer has developed and implemented comprehensive marketing plans for leading accounting, law and technology firms, and numerous divisions of the University of Pennsylvania. She also has years of product development and sales experience. She can be contacted via email at WeDevelBiz@aol.com for marketing services and presentations. ========================= A Small Request ======================= If you enjoy reading this newsletter each week, why not tell a friend about it? Even better, why don't you recommend The Informer on a discussion list? The more subscribers there are, the more time I am able to justify spending on creating valuable content for you all! Just tell everyone to subscribe by sending a message to <mailto:informer@oaknetpub.com> with SUBSCRIBE in the BODY of their message. ======================== Misc. Information ====================== To comment on the issues covered in this week's newsletter, use the appropriate forum on our Discussion Boards. <http://www.promotionworld.com/discus/> Browse the archives at <http://www.promotionworld.com/informer/archives.html> If you are looking for some good advertising deals, you might like to consider Promotion World and the Informer as places to advertise. <http://www.promotionworld.com/sponsor.html> To subscribe put SUBSCRIBE in the BODY of an email to <mailto:informer@oaknetpub.com> To unsubscribe put REMOVE in the BODY of an email to <mailto:informer@oaknetpub.com> I appreciate all your mail with your comments and suggestions! <mailto:webmaster@promotionworld.com> Newsletter Credits: Joshua Reimer, Editor <mailto:webmaster@promotionworld.com> <http://www.promotionworld.com> Jennifer Johnson, Feature Writer <mailto:jenny@promotingyoursite.com> <http://www.PromotingYourSite.com> John S. Rhodes, Usability Specialist <mailto:john@WebWord.com> <http://www.WebWord.com/> Hayden Mitchell, Search Engine Specialist <mailto:hayden@webthemes.com> <http://www.webthemes.com> David Handlos, What Not To Do Specialist <mailto:webmaster@crosslinkz.com> <http://www.crosslinkz.com> And now for the mandatory legal stuff: This newsletter is copyright 1997, 1998, 1999 Joshua Reimer. No part may be reproduced in any way without prior permission. The only exception being you may freely forward this newsletter to your friends and associates *only if* it is in its unmodified entirety.
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