Although I’ve been a medical professional for many years, I’m not talking about medical emergencies here.  Let’s put all of those into the hands of the skilled and fine emergency room physicians.

However, I do want to talk about what you can do to put a band-aid on your business in case of a solo entrepreneur emergency.

If you’re brand new to the internet, you’ll want to keep a big box of these band-aids on hand.

You’ll need a smaller supply if you’re a seasoned solo professional and you experience only an occasional cut or scrape.

Whether you’ve been a solo pro for years or you’re just getting your internet biz off the ground …

You need affiliate marketing band-aids!

You’ve been a “promotion and recommendation” expert since kindergarten.

When you got a new toy for your birthday, you shared it and showed it off to your friends.  And when you put on a spiffy new pair of Keds sneakers, you instantly became a walking advertisement – literally and figuratively!

In this series, I’ll be talking about how you can rely on affiliate marketing to create streams of income or heal a drop in sales.

To begin this journey with me, grab a FREE copy of Affiliate Classroom Magazine and read the comparison of different affiliate marketing business models.  No, I am not an affiliate for this magazine.

Choose a business model that fits your goals and your personality.

See you for Part 2!

Prefer to listen to this post?

There’s a little parrot that sits on my shoulder that criticizes me ALL the time.

Okay, I’ll admit it.  I’m neurotic.  I’m a perfectionist.  So what?  There’s got to be at least ONE other person like me on the planet!

I take my writing (blogging) seriously.  Is there something wrong with that?  I know I’m not writing a novel, an essay, or a resume.  Oh, darn, there goes that pesky parrot sounding off again …

“Maybe you’re just not cut out for this blogging thing.”

Wrong.  You’re dead wringer wrong.  I AM cut out for this blogging thing.

I just happen to think that proofreading, editing, and re-writing makes for a better blog post.  I might add that proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling count in my book, too.

So is THAT a sin?!

Uh-Oh.  I really wish I hadn’t asked that question.  Too late.  Here comes an unwelcomed remark from that blinking bird …

“Oh for the love of God! It’s just a blog post.”

I’ve been listening to this parrot forever and when I sit down to start blogging, I’d like to shove an old dirty sock in its mouth!

Oh, brother.  I knew it.  I could feel it coming.  As always, the parrot’s got to have the last word …

“You can’t be serious.  You’re not going to publish THAT, are you?”

Do you have a parrot sitting on your shoulder?  An inner critic?  Or am I the only one?

Do you remember that old saying from your younger years?

When I was in elementary school, we used to say, “I’m rubber.  You’re glue.  Whatever bounces off me sticks to you.”

Your version may be a little different, but the meaning still holds true.

As I march along through this 30-day blogging challenge I entered, I’m noticing something interesting taking place.  Everyone is learning from everyone else.  What a concept, huh?

Every member of this challenge has a unique writing style and a unique message to convey.  No two bloggers or blogs are alike.  So many amazing individuals and possibilities for enrichment!

So how does this rubber/glue theory come into play?

As members of this event get better acquainted, we are …

• Bouncing ideas off one another
• Becoming better storytellers
• Establishing joint ventures
• Gathering new business building tips and resources
• Offering encouragement and support
• Sharing talents and expertise
• Honing copywriting skills
• Creating friendships
• Planning future get-togethers
  
• And having tons of fun!

The benefits and rewards of joining this blogging challenge will “stick” with me forever.

The 30-day blogging challenge is sponsored by Connie Ragen Green. If you’ve never had the joy of participating in the challenge, here’s a GREAT place to start and learn more about Connie:  “5 Pronged Approach to Online Writing Success”.

I was reading the Viva Visibility Blog from Nancy Marmolejo this past week and she suggested a really intriguing 20-minute exercise for online marketers to create “teachable moments” for your target audience.

It’s very simple.  Actually, it’s fun!  Just look around your immediate environment and see what objects, knickknacks, or items you discover that you could transform into good marketing tips or lessons for prospects, subscribers, or colleagues in your niche.

This is what I took notice of on my desk that I can transform into teachable moments:

1) Large ceramic mug overflowing with pencils, pens, markers, etc.  I don’t use or need half of these writing implements.

Teachable moment: Clean up your act, get organized, and declutter your office space for better concentration and less distraction.

2) Intricately designed wrought iron napkin holder.  I use this to hold my mail.

Teachable moment: “Recycle” your posts, articles, podcasts, teleseminars, videos, etc. into info products or programs you can sell.

3) Hat box that’s imprinted with pictures of beach-y and exotic vacation locales.  I keep business cards, postage stamps, my calculator, etc. in this box.

Teachable moment: Rest and relaxation, a much needed break, or even a vacation from work is essential for your well being and your success as an independent business owner.

Getting the idea?  Now look around your home, office, or even your back porch and see what you can use as teachable moments.

Have some fun with this exercise!

No, not the rain gutter on your house or the gutter at your local bowling alley!

I’m talking about the gutter/s on your website or blog – the left and/or right hand columns that flank your content.

What items with juicy benefits are you positioning in this prime time piece of real estate? Or are you ignoring this space or maybe just throwing any old stuff in your gutter you happen to have the html code for?

I constantly hear online marketers comment that buttons, badges, and banners in the gutter are insignificant and ineffective.  I don’t go along with that train of thought.  Whenever I land on a site, my eyes will definitely scan down the gutters and see if anything pops out at me.

I’ve met the neatest people, found the coolest resources, and grabbed a number of dynamite freebies by taking a few minutes to see what’s in someone’s gutter.

Take a few minutes today and take inventory of your gutter.  Maybe it’s time to do a little gutter clean up!

Post by Jessica Swanson, The Shoestring Marketer

As a small business owner, at one time or another, you will need to create a compelling ad. It doesn’t matter if your ad is a sales brochure, email announcement or a newspaper ad, ultimately, your ad-copy must grab your prospect’s attention, produce a desired emotional response that urges them to take action.

Here Are 7 Key Points To Keep In Mind, When Writing Ad-Copy:

1. Choose Your Words Carefully

There are over 175,000 words in the English language and, if used wisely, have the power to sway people’s thinking, change their perspective and even motivate them to take action.

Selecting your words thoughtfully and with precision will create an enormous difference in the quality and performance of your ads.

- Words that create a feeling of safety: peace, relaxed, serene, secure, warm

- Words that create a sense of control: confidence, mastery, balance, self-assured, composure

- Words that create excitement: edgy, exhilarating, explosive, juicy, sensational

2. Focus On Benefits

Many small business owners make the mistake of focusing on the features of their product or service. Unfortunately, your prospect isn’t interested in mere features; they are only interested in how your product or service will improve their life.

Therefore, eliminate focusing on the mundane characteristics of your product and service and instead concentrate on how it will benefit your prospect’s life. Will it make them thinner? Happier? Richer?

If you are able to effectively portray how your product will change lives, your battle is half-done.

3. Establish Trust

One of the jobs of your ad-copy is to establish trust between you and your buyers. People will never do business with companies that they don’t feel confident about. Therefore, you need to put their anxieties to rest and convince them that their fears are unsubstantiated.

There are various ways to establish credibility:

- Use statements that are truthful and original;

- Offer free product samples or free services;

- Include your name and contact information in your ad-copy;

- Use testimonials from satisfied clients/customers;

- Avoid generalizations and include specifics.

4. Create One Clear Objective

Every single piece of ad-copy that you produce (whether it is a Google Adword campaign or a piece of direct mail) should be deliberately simple.

You should have only one, crystal clear objective in your ad. Either you want your prospect to visit a website, call a 1-800 number or take out their wallet and make a purchase. If  your ad contains multiple objectives, your prospect will only become confused and overwhelmed.

As the saying goes, “Keep It Simple Stupid!” This applies to your ad-copy as well.

5. Differentiate Your Company

One of the main ingredients in successful ad-copy is to convince your prospects that you are different and unique from your competition. Your ad should always convey at least one reason why you are different.

Do you offer superior customer service? Are you the fastest? Do you produce the highest quality materials?

Discover what main attributes motivate your particular target market and make this attribute the focal point when differentiating yourself.

6. Pack Your Headlines With Power

There are dozens of research studies that suggest that your headline is the most important part of your entire ad.  In fact, you only have three seconds to capture your prospect’s interest, so your headline needs to be packed with as much power as possible.

You should always use “power words” in your headline such as:

Amazing
Announcing
Advice To
At Last
Bargains
Breakthrough
Discover
Do You
Enormous
Facts
Finally
Free
Great News
Guaranteed
Here
How Much
Inside Secrets Of…
Innovative
Love
Only
Proven
Sale
This
Which
Yes

7. Create An Emotional Response

Ultimately, your ad should produce a desired emotion in your prospect. It’s simply not enough that your prospect relates to your company in a logical manner. There needs to be an emotional connection as well.

Use words that bring about the emotions that you want your customer or client to feel: love, fear, desire, power, more control, etc.

If your prospect relates to you on both an emotional and logical level, you are engaging them in a fuller manner and they are more likely to connect with you and your company.

Although writing solid ad-copy isn’t child’s play, it can be learned through practice, patience and perseverance.

The difference between producing a mediocre ad and producing an irresistible ad that motivates your prospect to take action could literally mean thousands of dollars in extra sales, customers and clients.

Jessica Swanson, “The Shoestring Marketer”, has helped entrepreneurs, all over the world, explode their businesses using cutting-edge, proven and completely free marketing strategies. To receive your FREE Shoestring Marketing Kit, which has helped thousands of entrepreneurs, just like you, learn the exact techniques for marketing their businesses for no-cost, visit: Free Shoestring Marketing Kit

Growing really tired of attending rubber chicken luncheons, paying for ineffective classified ads, mailing out postcards that bring no results, and spending countless hours doing cold calling? Then you’ll want to learn about the important benefits of marketing your business online.

The internet provides you with a slam dunk opportunity for massive visibility. Handing someone a business card is fine, but creating your big “electronic” business card through online marketing will get you and your services in front of hundreds of thousands of eyes.  I’d say that beats the heck out of walking around parking lots putting flyers on windshields, wouldn’t you?

As a Solo Mompreneur, marketing your business online will allow you to:

1) Showcase Your Expertise – Put yourself in the spotlight and toot your own horn. Authentically tell your story and reassure your prospects that you work with people just like them.  People don’t want processes, they want solutions. Add results-oriented testimonials to your marketing strategy and allow your current clients to sell for you.

2) Stand Out From The Crowd – As strange as it sounds, you really have no competition when you promote yourself and your business online.  After all, there is only one YOU in this world. Take this prime time opportunity to demonstrate your unique juicy benefits and what differentiates you from everyone else.  Each of us has our very own special character, style, and persona. Let it shine! Be yourself, be creative, and have fun.

3) Save Lots Of Money – There are so many different internet marketing platforms to choose from and the majority of them are FREE. You can build your business online very cost-effectively through blogging, video, podcasting, article marketing, social media, teleseminars, and webinars. You can even host your own internet radio show or T.V. show.  Cost?  Zero dollars.

Give potential clients the chance to know, like, and trust you. Whether you are most comfortable using your voice, writing, or being in front of a camera, marketing your business online will help you build visibility and credibility and establish you as the go-to expert in your field.

Do you Tweet? I’d like to invite you to Follow me on Twitter.

Nicole Dean’s Easy PLR packets are written by brilliant ghostwriters.

As independent business owners, we all get bogged down once in a while with essential daily care and management tasks. That means we may not always have the necessary quality time to write blog posts and/or articles. Top notch, well-written articles from Easy PLR is the solution!

Note* I am a proud EasyPLR affiliate and I have used MANY of Nicole Dean’s PLR article packets in my own business and wholeheartedly recommend her products.

Or are you getting served bland and tasteless cafeteria food?

If you’re like me, you subscribe to about a gazillion blogs, ecourses, podcasts, white papers, reports, and newsletters. And I bet every time you sign up, you’re expecting some meat and potatoes to land in your inbox – something hearty, palatable, and filling.  Doesn’t always turn out that way, does it?

I’ve been in the “unsubscribe” mode lately and for good reason.  There’s only so much any one of us can digest in one sitting. I’ve been trying to weed through so many email subscriptions every day that I’m starting to develop heartburn and indigestion!

So today I’m starting with a newsletter purge.  I’m going to plow through my entire list of subscriptions, take one final quick peek at the contents and focus of each one, and narrow it down to five.  That’s it.  And trust me, the ezines I hang on to will be ones that serve me best – the ones with all the scrumptious meat and potatoes.

Without question, one ezine a team of wild horses couldn’t get me to say goodbye to is Online Success News by Dr. Jeanette Cates. It’s like a staple in my kitchen cupboard – can’t do without it.  Not only does it provide meat and potatoes, it comes with lots of gravy, too.  The articles really draw me in and I’ve never failed to read every issue, cover to cover.

Okay, that leaves me to find just four other newsletters to keep. In a future post, I’ll let you know my final  “meaty” choices.

Do  you have an all time favorite newsletter you’d never part with? Post it in the comment box and share why it’s so valuable to you.