Saturday, October 16, 2010

Blog Monetization Tips at Blog World

We just finished our 60 Question in 60 Minutes Blog Monetization Panel at Blog World. It was a really fun and great panel… and not to toot my own horn, but it was definitely the best session at BlogWorld because we focused all of our efforts at the audience, and had so much audience participation. Go into any other session and you will get a few questions if you are lucky, our session had a ton of user submitted questions, which the panel then answered. I don’t think we ended up getting anywhere near 60 questions answered, but it was a great session full of quality content.

The Blog Monetization panel was made up of John Chow, Ryan Gray, Jonathan Volk, DK and myself. We covered a wide variety of questions such as how to find advertisers for a blog, how much a blog should make vs. the amount of traffic it has, how to monetize non-US traffic and outside methods for revenue generation besides on site advertising and through ebooks, to name a few.

This session was excellent not only because of the awesome collection of speakers we had on the panel, but also because of how the audience always reminds us that it’s never too late to start blogging or start a new business online. How many attendees at BlogWorld this year will have just started their blog or business, and come back next year with a killer success story, or the results they were only dreaming of. The best way to reach these goals is to get out their, put your thoughts into action and network with some of the best people in the game.

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Friday, October 15, 2010

Autoresponders on ‘Roids

This post was written by the Web Marketing Ninja—a professional online marketer for a major web brand, who’s sharing his tips undercover here at ProBlogger. Curious? So are we!

Darren has written a lot about how he has evolved his autoresponder sequences on his blogs. But I want to take this a step further and describe how you can turn a good auto responder into a great one.

Step 1: Segment your subscribers when they give you their email addresses

When you ask users to give you their email addresses, you should keep the process as frictionless as possible. If you can, just ask for the address itself. If you really need to, ask for their name so you can personalize messages—but that’s it.

Given you’ve only got one piece of information, how can you segment your audience?

  • Segment A: Existing Customer: match the email address to your list of orders and see if the person is an existing customer or not.
  • Segment B: Blog Commenter: if you’re requesting people include their email addresses when they post comments, match against that to determine how connected they are to your blog.
  • Segment C: Community Member: if your blog includes a forum, chances are you’ll have a record of user email addresses from your forum signup process. Use this to determine if they’re already part of your community.
  • Segment D: New Subscriber: this is the bucket for anyone who doesn’t fit into the above segments. These are fresh faces to your blog.

Step 2: Tailor an autoresponder for each segment

You’ll probably follow a similar process to the one Darren created here. However, you should create a sequence that’s specific for each segment. For example, you might welcome a new subscriber by sharing with them some of your most popular posts first. Then, you might send them a copy of your latest newsletter. Finally, you might send them an offer on one of your products. Alternatively, you might simply send an existing customer the content they gave you their email for, as they’re already in your sales cross-sell and up-sell cycle.

As a starting point, try to put yourself in the segment’s shoes, and create a process you’d like to see if you were them.

Step 3: Test and refine each segment’s autoresponder

This is where it gets a little harder and, sometimes, a little confusing. It’s time to refine your autoresponder sequence to find that optimal conversion rate for each segment. Some of the considerations you need to take into your testing could include:

  • Sequence of events: e.g. free ebook –> links to popular blog posts –> latest newsletter –> paid ebook
  • Email delivery time: during business hours/outside business hours/weekday/weekend
  • Delay between emails: one month, one week, one day, one hour
  • Email format: HTML, rich text, or plain text
  • Email copy: long or short, informational or sales-focused

Warning: when you’re testing, you can easily get out of control creating variations. For example, if you had three different test cases for each of four segments, you’d have 12 tests running simulations. And if they have four emails each, that would be 48 emails you need to write! I’d start with what you think is right, and over time evolve your approach—just like Darren has.

Now unfortunately I’m not sure of any email services offering this level of depth when it comes to allocating people to certain lists based on their customer profiles (if someone knows of one, let me know). So you might need to have something custom-created for you to take an email address, decide what segment the user fits into, and assign that person to the appropriate list. However, a little investment up front can pay huge dividends in ongoing reader-to-customer conversions.

Even if you’re only getting a handful or subscribers each day, putting them through a focused autoresponder program that’s been tailored to them will, without doubt, increase your conversions.

Stay tuned from most posts by the secretive Web Marketing Ninja—a professional online marketer for a major web brand, who’s sharing more of his tips undercover here at ProBlogger over the coming weeks.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

The Blog World Paradox: a Blog Action Day Case Study

Today, Darren and thousands of other bloggers are congregating in Las Vegas for Blog World. It’s fitting that Blog Action Day should coincide with the world’s largest blogging conference. Particularly this Blog Action Day, which focuses on water.

When we think about water issues, we don’t need to close our eyes and conjure up the African desert or the Australian outback: we need only think as far as Blog World, Las Vegas.

"Watershow", Las Vegas, by pgl

Las Vegas is a modern, developed city that’s built in a desert. As you might expect, it’s facing serious water problems. Like many communities around the world, Nevada’s currently experiencing a drought, and Las Vegas is struggling to source water from elsewhere in the state to meet the needs of both its rising permanent population and its booming tourism industry.

A tourism industry supported, in large part, by the thousands of conferences held in the city each year. Including Blog World.

Of course, we need a place to hold conferences, and Vegas is built for such events. But it is paradoxical that, while I’m blogging about water issues for Blog Action Day, thousands of bloggers are further stressing a perilously dry city’s water supply in the name of blogging.

It does remind us—whether we’re in Vegas enjoying Blog World or following it from afar—that we all have some responsibility for water availability and quality, and we need to accept that responsibility. These are global issues. They’re not restricted by national borders, coastlines, professions, or socio-economic boundaries.

The impacts of water-preservation efforts are also global. Whatever you can do to preserve water, and preserve water quality, will make a difference far beyond your own backyard. Whatever you can do to raise awareness will also have a valuable impact. Among developed nations, there’s a startling ignorance of water-related issues.

"Las Vegas" by chuckb

When I began researching this post, my search for vegas, nevada + water turned up more results for gross water consumers like water parks, water gardens, and water features than it did water authorities or articles on water issues. Nothing in that first page of results suggested there was any problem with water in Las Vegas—quite the contrary. Without information on the realities of water issues, communities have trouble recognizing the problem, let alone taking action on it.

It’s not just Vegas: there are water scarcity and quality issues in your town, your state, and your country. Perhaps today’s the day to think about what you can do to take action on those issues in your own way. As a blogger in a rural area that’s just experienced a debilitating, decade-long drought, I’m curious: what water issues are you and your local communities currently facing?

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Staying Motivated While Running Your Own Business

Working online, especially on your own is a job in itself when it comes to staying motivated and going in the right direction. So much so that recently procrastination has played a huge role in my day to day schedule. I’ve had a short break from affiliate marketing whilst working on something else, now that’s in the beta stages I want to pick up where I left off getting various campaign ideas off the ground.

That’s the first problem, I have so many ideas I want to actually do I never seem to move forward. I’m a big fan of a notepad and sticky notes, if you could see my desk you would have to wade through paper just to get to the keyboard to begin work. Don’t get me wrong you should write down all of your ideas down so that you can keep on working fluently but the main issue I’m having is starting a campaign and then having a ‘aha’ moment for another that probably would do better – instead of sticking to the half complete campaign I just switch to the next. Before you know it your still making no income and never given yourself the chance to.

A solution I’ve just started using which is working (and simple) is to write each idea down on paper as a to-do list – pick one and just grind until it’s complete and up and running but put the list out of sight in a draw or wherever until you are ready to get onto the next thing. Often when you have completed something you will have to wait for it to get approved on whatever traffic source you have chosen so you can begin on the next to save just sitting at your computer doing nothing. I guess my problem was the fact I could constantly see it on my desk so I was never 100% focused on the task I was working on.

Everybody’s different so you will have to find the balance between having too much on your plate and just sitting around doing nothing. I’ve yet to find the perfect number out myself as I’m concentrating on PPV a little more so I can bang campaigns up fairly quickly depending on how I’m approaching it and should be able to manage a fair few at the same time.

When it comes to motivation you have to find what makes you tick, whether it’s to quit your 9-5, get a new car or just pay off your mortgage each month. Be sure to write down your goals and have them visible for a constant reminder. I’ve only just been able to say no to my mates when they want to go for a game of pool or have a drink – I’ve got my mind set and I’m not stopping until I reach it.

I highly recommend taking frequent breaks, even if it’s just to read a blog or something to take your mind off what you’re working on briefly. It gets to a point where all I think about is work, even when I’m done for the day and trying to get to sleep. I often find myself jumping out of bed to jot some notes down for the morning – keep a notepad close by at all times you never know when you will have a burst of inspiration.

What are some of your methods for staying motivated and not getting lost in new ideas and unfinished tasks?

This guest post was written by Richard Bonner, a successful affiliate marketer and blogger at RichardBonner.net.

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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Web Hosting with Great Customer Support

Over the past decade I’ve had my fair share of web hosting companies and I’ve bounced around from shared hosting to dedicated hosting and even to buying 20 of my own servers and having them in a storage center. The main reason for jumping around with so many hosts, was that my web sites and business was always changing and new sites were exploding while others stayed the same. Either way, no matter how my web sites were doing, it was always important that I could get in contact with my web host quickly and just as important, having them get back to me just as fast.

I was previously with MediaTemple and when I signed up with them, I paid for two server for a year in advance to save some extra money. Their hosting was fine, but the customer support (from my experience) was terrible. If you are a web hosting company and don’t have LIVE CHAT support, or email support that is answered within a few minutes (30 mins max), then you just don’t cut it… and this is how MediaTemple works. It would take anywhere from 10-24 hours from support to get back to your emails. The only way to get instant support was through calling them on the phone. I don’t know about you, but I’m more of an email/chat type of person… so only have phone support as my option is really garbage.

After MediaTemple I went over to WiredTree and they are just a god send. Their support is amazing and they always get back to you within a few minutes of sending an email through their support ticket. WiredTree staff also doesn’t send back one word answers, and they actually make an attempt to help you and not refer you to a “how to” guide. I have WiredTree running my larger web sites like this one.

I also have a few hosting accounts with HostGator. Personally I’ve never really liked the idea of paying a few dollars a month for hosting, just because I would assume the slogan “you get what you pay for”, but HostGator has been great with up time so far, and when you are running huge sites, this is a major concern. I currently have HostGator running a bunch of smaller and test web sites… nothing too crucial. However, I still had a question and wanted to talk with someone from HostGator. I went to their site and saw that they had LIVE CHAT support. I was instantly connected with someone extremely helpful and am glad to be hosting through their company.

I just wanted to share my experience on customer support in the web hosting area. It doesn’t matter if you have shared hosting, VPS, dedicated or even have your own servers in a data center… customer support is one of the most crucial aspects of a successful business and keeping customers happen.

Feel free to share your web hosting customer support stories and help others when trying to find a new web host.

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You’ve Landed a Blogging Job – Now What?

Blogging for other people is a great way to make money online. If you run your own blog and have published regular content, then you are well placed to write for other people or companies.

Each job will have its own set of requirements – i.e. expertise or experience required, specific topics to write about, number of posts required, length of post etc.

Understanding your client’s requirements when you applied for the job doesn’t stop there.

Here are some tips on writing after having landed that blogging job:

1. Understanding the Blog and Its Business

Obtain an understanding of the blog’s focus and target audience. Learn as much as you can about the company or website you are writing for – e.g. is it a start up business or well established in the market?

I currently write for The Netsetter at Envato, the brainchild of Collis Ta’eed. The Envato brand is an established player in the industry – it is well known for its suite of websites like Freelance Switch and the Tuts+ network. The Netsetter is targeted to web entrepreneurs who are interested in useful tips and resources on how to make money online.

2. Blog Post Style and Content

Each blog will have its own style and content. Visit the blog and read some of the published articles, taking note of the style, length of pieces, and what topics have been covered in order to gain a better understanding of the style and content of blog posts.

The owner or editor may have already decided what topics he/she wants you to write about, but most blog owners are open to good suggestions. If you are passionate about writing on certain topics, run your ideas past the owner and you may find that he/she is more than willing for you to share your expert knowledge.

Last and not least, pay attention to detail when writing your blog post – check your grammar and spelling, use catchy titles to grab the readers’ attention, and look over the format and clarity of your post.

3. Commit to Write on a Regular Basis

Most blog owners like to hire bloggers on a regular basis, since it makes planning much easier. Typically a blog owner will require a minimum number of posts and articles per month or week, but many owners are happy to pay for extra content!

Aim to deliver quality blog posts on a consistent basis. Like they say, the hardest part comes after you have landed the job!

Aim to impress with your first few blog posts, as first impressions are very important. Many website owners hire bloggers on a trial basis for their first few posts. They will be gauging readers’ reactions to your blog and the popularity of your posts.

4. Relationship Building

The relationship between a blogger and website owner should be business like. Accordingly, it is important to treat your working relationship professionally. Take the time to establish a good rapport with your employer, communicate on a regular basis, and discuss requirements and ideas.

If you are unsure about something, ask questions or seek clarification. There is nothing worse than writing a terrific blog post just to find that you have been off topic. If the website has a Style Guide, read through this thoroughly to understand the requirements.

5. Be a Skilled “Blogger”

Each blogger can bring to the table many skills – whether as a prolific writer, a person who is passionate about blogging on a specific topic, a background as a journalist, or as an SEO expert. Be prepared to make the most of any complementary skills you have.

As bloggers we can offer skills such as knowing where to source images, uploading videos, using screen capture software, using the client’s WordPress platform, or knowing about SEO techniques and Internet marketing.

A blogger will thrive if they can offer a broad range of skills. A scan of the job boards like Problogger’s one will provide a good idea of the skills and competencies required for modern bloggers.

6. Have Fun
You are getting paid to blog on topics that you are hopefully passionate about. If new to blogging for other people, have a positive attitude and be willing to learn new skills.

Use your blogging talents to contribute to the goals of the company. Strive to go the extra mile once you have landed that blogging job, and your efforts will result in improved marketability of your skills.

About the Author: Nita Teoh is the creator of Wired Web Writer – W3 Writing, Marketing and SEO Solutions, and Perth Walkabout – Your Local Guide to Perth, Western Australia.

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How Not To Follow Up After a Conference

I’ve been attending blogging conferences since 2007. Through conferences I’ve been able to meet some amazing people. However, through my own ineptitude I’ve not done a great job of following up with everyone that I’ve met. The photo above is an actual box that I have filled with missed opportunity, missed connections and missed business opportunities. Some business cards are over 3 years old. Might be a little late to follow up with those folks. So here is my surefire guide on How to Screw up Follow Up.

Step One – Collect cards like Pokemon
Some conference attendees are whipping out business cards and collecting them all like crazy. I’ve been in a group of people having a great conversation and then someone comes up and hands you their card out of nowhere. Will you remember that person at all? Will you follow up with that person? Most likely not. So, the key to follow up is to actually meet people and talk to them, make a connection and then exchange cards. You do not have to collect them all. More meaningful connections make for much better follow up.

Step Two – Glance at the card and shove it in your pocket.
Taking a business card and shoving it in your pocket after a cursory glance will be a way in which to immediately forget the person who gave it to you. When someone hands you their business card take a good look at it. is there something interesting that you can talk to the person about? There should be something on that card that you can ask a question about. People love to talk about themselves so give them a chance to do it. So don’t just take the card and put it away, try and make that mental connection, if you don’t then it is unlikely that you will actually follow up.

Step Three – Try and remember everything in your head.
When you are at a conference you are going to meet so many people and trying to keep everyone straight in your head is an incredibly futile task. After you meet someone and take their business card you should make some notes for yourself. Make a few notes directly on their card. This will give you reminders as to who the person is when it comes time to follow up.

Step Four – Go home, put the cards in a box and hide it away. You’ll get to them in a few weeks. Really, you will.
If you stick everything into a box and leave it there waiting for a the right moment to hit you to follow up then you will never do it. The box above has three years of cards that I was going to follow up on in a couple weeks. As you can see that never happened.

So How Do You effectively Follow Up?
When you get home take a stack of 5 -10 cards, open up your e-mail program and enter all the card info into a new contact. Also write in the notes that you made about the conversation that you had with the person. Then write them a follow up email reminding them about the conversation that you had and how much you enjoyed it. Repeat until your giant stack of business cards are gone. Do this within 2 weeks of the conference just not the first day you are back unless you can schedule the e-mail to go out a day or two after the conference. Many people are dealing with their own thing and playing catch up the moment that they return from a conference so don’t get lost in the shuffle.

Additional Tips.
When you add the new person as a contact put them in a group for that conference so you can pull up everyone that you met at a specific conference. Make sure that you add in notes that you want to remember about that person, likes, dislikes and the like.

Hopefully your conference experience will be a fruitful place to make meaningful connections with great new people.

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