One of the most frequently used marketing tools is the “Sales Page” or “Squeeze Page”. Most webpreneurs use WordPress to power their sites and until now there has been very few options for having the ability to create Sales or Squeeze pages within WordPress.

Check out this simple, yet powerful marketing system for creating sales pages within your wordpress site.

Click Here to Learn More…

I have been so busy lately, so I apologize for the late and infrequent postings. I think you’ll forgive me after this post.

I have something really special for you today. I know this sounds icky at first, but bare with me for a sec, okay?

The most successful people online are… contagious that is. They have mastered the art of catching a brilliant idea and spreading it like a virus  to a successful end.

While the rest of us follow the trends they are out there making them. Seth Godin is a perfect example of this phenomenon. So, much so that as an experiment for his book, “The Idea Virus”, he posted it on the web for folks to download and print for FREE. That’s right, FREE! And- he insists that we share it with others freely as well.

Even after his book has hit the best seller’s list, it’s still there for you and for me. How bold, audacious and provocative.

SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET YOUR COPY HERE NOW: w w w.ideavirus.com

What does this show us? I think that it shows us not to be afraid to be contagious. That means when we are crafting our offerings, we should be creative and open to trying new things, even if conventional wisdom tells us that its not profitable. We can’t be afraid to give it away. If you believe in the law of reciprocity, then let it go and watch it come back to you ten, twenty…even one hundred fold.

Ideas are fluid so aim to be the first bold, audacious, provocative and contagious leader and experience success like you have never dreamed of.

I hope you enjoy this juicy nugget!

Warm wishes for success…

Looking Good Online means starting from the inside out!

There is much that can be said about running an online business. It’s great to work from home, set your own schedule make lots of money and on and on. But, what about the quieter side? What about the side no one dares talk about? What happens when life, family and business collide?

The fact is that growing an online business requires just as much time, energy and focus as starting an offline endeavor. And, when problems arise in your personal life, it can be even more difficult to navigate since it is happening where you work and live. There is no going to work or going to a building to break the strain of it all when your office is a few steps from your bed.

If you are someone who has been blessed enough to just have to deal with the challenges of growing your business and not be affected by “life” issues, know that your strength of focus may be a great asset to those who are trying to keep their family life healthy and their business ambitions alive.

As a military wife, mother of two young boys and tireless business owner, I know well the life “stuff” that can creep up and threaten the life we dream for ourselves. So, as someone who has been on the front lines, I felt it important to bring this issue to the fore front. I wanted to share with you some of the things that have kept me going in the face of some pretty trying times.

How do you keep moving in your business when you are facing challenges and distractions in your personal life?

Keep GOD FIRST!
As a Christian Woman, I believe that having God as your reference and source provides you with an infinite arsenal of strength and resources to overcome ANY obstacle that comes before us!

Get out of the House!
I had to learn this the hard way! It is important to carve out time to get out and meet and mingle in the flesh or just get some fresh air. It doesn’t matter what you do, just getting some sunshine can do wonders for your focus and spirit.

“Confide in a Coach or Therapist or Church Leadership”
I can’t stress this enough. It is soooo important to seek the guidance of a professional or expert outside of your circle of friends. Now, friends are a source of strength too. However, we all have problems and sometimes it can feel like we are burdening our friends and family with our woes and hold things in that we really need to work through. So, take a serious look at reaching out to people who have a passion and calling for helping you.

Don’t Give Up!
Many times when things get difficult in our lives to the point where it affects our careers, those gremlins creep up to try and dissuade us from moving forward. They say things like “you can’t do this with all this going on” or “How can I help other people when I am going through this? Believe that this too will pass. You will come out on the other side of this. Adversity is part of the process. Think of all of the millionaires who fought through “rock bottom” circumstances to become the success they are today! You too can have that story.

Know You Are Not Alone
Growing an online business can be a lonely experience. If you work it from home, it can feel really isolating. Add to that, some sort of drama in the household and it can feel like you are lost at sea; a million miles away from shore. However, trust that you are not the only one in this situation. Many times we can look at someone’s website and Facebook posts and think “How do they do it?” You never know what is behind the curtain of someone’s online show. Which brings me to my next point…

Don’t Compare Your Life or Situation to Others
This is dangerous because we often don’t positively compare ourselves to Oprah or Donald Trump. We often look at what we perceive to be our inadequacies compared to our peers and counterparts. You are not defined by your obstacles, but rather how you choose to move through them. So, be brave and bold and confident that your adversity will usher you into a position that is even more advantageous and blessings filled.

And most importantly TAKE CARE OF YOU!
This is one of those points that is a work in progress for me. However, I have come to understand that if we don’t take care of ourselves then nothing else can work…not our business, not our family, not our mind….nothing! So take care of you always and in the midst of adversity…OVER DO IT!

I hope this helps. If so, let me know by dropping me your comments on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Virtual-Genie/139319461960?v=app_10442206389

Until Next Time…

Warm Wishes For Success,

Has it ever irked you to hear one of those successful people on Oprah or some other network show explain how they got rich almost by accident? I mean, you and I know how difficult it is to get even the greatest of ideas off to a running and profitable start.

However, if we really take a step back, our story is just one heavenly opportunity away from being as real as those people we have “professional crushes” on.

My story is one that some of you have already read on my profiles around the web. If not, you can check out the poetic version here.

From as far back as I can remember, I’ve had entrepreneurship in my blood. Even when I worked a regular 9-5, I was always either dreaming up a new idea, a melodic tune or practicing dance moves in my head. So, when I found myself married to a military man and expecting my first child. I looked for opportunities to work from home found a program that trained you to start a virtual administrative support practice from home and the rest is history! I was hooked.

Most non-entrepreneurial minded people would say “look at everything you tried that never materialized. You should just get a job its more secure”(I don’t think too many folks feel secure in their jobs these days). However, my mind always worked like “look at all the things I’ve learned that I can apply to the next project to make it successful”. I’d always dreamed of being in business for myself. But, how often do people really get to fulfill the desire of doing what they love? The answer is too few, but many.

I wrote this poem to capture the moment we entrepreneurs realized that what we did was just as an acceptable as the career path of, say, a doctor or lawyer. It’s a special path that too few dare travel yet many have traveled with success. Please let me know what you think of my poetic debut.

Oops… I Am An Entrepreneur!

Poem by Kenya Halliburton

I woke up this morning and found to my surprise

The dream that lived within me had really come alive

All the twists and turns of life had made me start to doubt

That there was any hope of living what I’m all about

Oh the joy to know my passions, talents, gifts and purpose weren’t given me in vain

And now I must press on to help others just the same

It seems that all those stops and starts were just God moving things around

So that I could sew the gifts he gave me here on fertile ground

So although it seems serendipitous to have finally met my scene

I know my steps were ordered for I’m living out his dream

Oops I’m an entrepreneur, I’ll trivialize no more

For I have all that I need to succeed, too powerful to ignore

Yes, I am an entrepreneur I am not ashamed

To share my dreams with the world then dream and dream again

JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK TO DISCUSS MORE…

Until next time…

Warm Wishes for Success,

Download larger chart

Social Media Fatigue and internet marketing burnout are just a few of the common symptoms experienced by webpreneurs; it is the sign of our digital times. So, naturally when my friend and fellow Online Business Manager, Cindy Morus, showed me this graphic, I just knew that I had to write this article.

There seems to be a lot of excitement and confusion around the idea of hiring an online business manager. I have found that some business owners often confuse an OBM with a Virtual Assistant or expect an OBM to be their coach, copywriter, internet marketing genius and every other expert you can imagine. However, while an OBM has killer skills in a variety of areas, it is important that you as the business owner understand the matrix of support that your business needs to be successful. So, I wanted to write this post to help you wrap your mind around the online business management concept.

Online Business Manager:

Online Business Managers are a very powerful asset to your team and you will at some point need to hire one for your online operations. An OBM is charged with managing all the moving pieces of your operations, while keeping an eye on profits.  While some OBMs may enjoy or be skilled at performing certain functions, a common misconception is that the OBM “does” it all. The fact is, while we do have extensive knowledge of building online business, we work with clients in a variety of industries. So we’re talking a myriad of different, technologies, systems and work styles that are impossible to know how to do it all. Instead we are trained to know how to “get it done”. This means finding cost effective solutions (i.e. outsourcing, web technologies, vendors…etc).

Don’t get tempted to devalue an OBM ‘s services because they don’t have real experience in every area of your business. Odds are there will be some areas that are unique to your business that your OBM may not be familiar with.

Business Coach:

Many life and business coaches are familiar with the OBM concept. However, while a Certified OBM is trained to some degree of coaching, it is important that you, the business owner, also look for specialized coach or guidance in moving your vision forward.

This is helpful for a couple reasons:

a). An OBM has limited training in the area of coaching and is not always equipped to move you through some of the deeper “stuck” issues you may be experiencing in your life or business.

b). A Coach, Mentor or Mastermind group can help you zero in on those meat and potato issues that have you stuck.

For example, your OBM may suggest raising your prices on your membership program. You may resist this fearing you may lose paying members. Through your coach, you may discover that your resistance not only encompassed a fear of losing money, but the fear of next level success and being able to sustain it. After your breakthrough, you work through your resistance to green light your OBM’s recommendation and experience next level success that is superbly managed by your OBM, of course!

Blog Specialist:

Content roars and is the king of this virtual jungle. If you or your OBM don’t write or even like to, then the smart thing to do is to hire someone who can and does. For this piece, it can be an intern, someone you know or a freelancer. Whatever your choice it is important to have this piece in place as a log serves as your headquarters for information and inspiration of product creation (gettin’ a little poetic on ya!).

Virtual Assistant:

The biggest difference between an OBM and a VA is the mindset. While there are VA’s who are driven to help you grow, an OBM is fueled by the bigger picture. The OBM operates from a marketing mind set. That is, every task that is mapped out and executed is done with the “How will this make money” question in mind. For an apples to apples comparison, check out this OBM vs. VA Comparison Chart.

VAs are great at supporting sustainability. You know, the essential routine and administrative (behind the curtain stuff) that keeps your business’s engine running smoothly. Often times, you may want an OBM but need a VA.  A good VA can help you to move your business forward, even to a level where an OBM can step in and manage more effectively. The more foundational stuff you have done the faster and easier your business can grow.

Product Launch Specialist:

This is a very key area of your business and while your OBM has fundamental understanding on how this process works, it may not be an area that they themselves have the time to efficiently implement with all the other pieces of your business they are managing.

1. There are at least a few of ways an OBM may approach Product Launch Project:Do it themselves
2. Outsource to a specialist
3. Hire a team of VA’s (or delegate elements to your existing team) and oversee/track effectiveness.

Copywriter:

It can be difficult to express your product service or idea in compelling words. Sometimes, it is best to hire someone who has a gift for writing. Copywriters can be expensive, worth it, but expensive, especially if you are still in the building stages. It is important to consider how you will accommodate your content creation needs. Your content is what sells your products and services. It’s what draws raving customers and prospects to you. So, you really can’t afford to skimp on this piece. At the very least, you and your OBM should commit to creating a 12 month content plan to execute and hire a copywriter when you need “ninja” word power!

Financial Specialist:

Now it goes without saying that you need to have someone to preside over your financial picture. Now, while your OBM can track sales and analyze your numbers. There is no substitution for a certified accountant of financial professional.

Joint Venture/Affiliate Marketing Specialist:

JVs and affiliate marketing tools are great ways to jump start your growth. Your OBM can help connect and manage JV relationships. You know the ones that are just too scary to approach? They can also help you implement an affiliate program to help your products and services depending on your OBM’s comfort level, they may decide to take on this piece, outsource to a specialist or delegate to a VA on your team.

Marketing Specialist:

Your OBM is a ninja genius. They will come at you with ideas and strategies that will have your relieved and your business smiling. However, it is important to understand that they may suggest bringing on a marketing specialist to consult or advise in areas that may have you stuck. Remember, we don’t have all the answers, but we know where to find them.

Webmaster:

Depending on your site structure, this may be a real site designer or a Virtual Assistant. These days many people have blog based or sites with CMS built in so it is easy to update without paying mucho dinero for small updates and additions. More than likely, if you don’t have this in place, your OBM would suggest that you move to a more flexible platform. (IT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY).

This piece is better delegated to a specialty VA that will be overseen by your OBM.

Writer/Editor:

This piece is similar to the copywriting piece except this is more of an ongoing need. Copywriters are typically called in for those special “store window” pieces (i.e. sales pages, promo materials, even targeted articles. However, you need to identify who will be charged with creating and proof reading the content. Your OBM may enjoy writing. However, it is important to note that content is the meat of your operation. So, while you may need to get creative with the resources you have in the beginning, you need to remember that your OBM has limits and a lot of other aspects of your operation to manage.
Check out this very illuminating slide share presentation about creating a web content strategy.

So, there you have it! I hope I have given you a greater understanding and perspective of what having an Online Business Manager on your team really means to your success and how the different pieces all work together.  There are a lot of moving pieces to your e-vision and it takes strategy and perseverance to achieve success.

As you look for ways to get out of your own way and stop trying to do it all, you’ll find that there are a multitude of ways to promote, grow and manage a multiple streamed business online as long as you understand what goes into it and move smart with the right support in place.

JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK TO DISCUSS MORE…

Let me know if you enjoyed this article. Until next time…

Warm Wishes for Success,

As you know, you can find oodles of information on the above topics all around the we. The problem is, most of it is just infocrap’ and doesn’t really tell you much beyond what you already know. Well, I have happened upon a really great resource for you( which does not require opt-in, sweet!).

Check out The Launch Coach Library: http://www.thelaunchcoach.com/thelibrary

Hurry, though, I am not sure how long this information will be free.  Enjoy!

Referrals are an important part of any successful business. They’re a great way to keep building your customer base, year after year, without having to go out and explicitly advertise… Instead, you use the power of your current happy customers to help you continue to grow.

There are many reasons why referrals are so ‘golden’. For one thing, in this time-crunched age where everyone’s so busy, people are more willing to depend on the advice of trusted contacts. It saves them from spending more time in research.

Referrals also produce a ‘snowball’ effect. Happy customers tend to have a good idea of which one of their friends would appreciate your product or service. They refer people similar to themselves … who also refer people they know… and so on.

But one of the best things about referrals is that they’re easier to convert into customers! It’s fine for YOU to say that you provide a great product or service — but when someone else says it, it instantly has more impact … especially when it comes from a trusted friend or contact. Your credibility and expertise have been established by the referrer.

However, many business owners assume that just because you do a good job, referrals will happen automatically. This isn’t true; people often need a little encouragement to send referrals your way. It’s up to you to take a more active role in making them happen.

Go ahead and tell your customers that you’ll do your best to make sure they’re happy. Then let them know that you would welcome any referrals — in other words, simply ASK for new referrals. Encourage them by offering referral incentives.

For example, offer a referral bonus or discount. Offer free gifts, extra entries into a contest, whatever is appropriate for your business. And ALWAYS send a thank- you note and possibly even a small gift to the referrer … regardless of whether or not the person he referred becomes a customer. This will show that you appreciate him thinking of you. Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and he’ll be more likely to continue to send referrals your way. You never know — someone he refers in the future might very well become a customer!

Another example is simply writing articles and distributing them around the Internet. Once again, if you get published you instantly have more credibility — you build an “expert” status, so to speak. Many article syndication sites offer a feature that allows the reader to email the article to a friend… and articles are often passed around from person to person through email.

In both of the above cases, your business automatically has more “clout” than, say, if a prospect were to simply visit your website. The prospect has already been at least partially influenced by his or her friend or contact … which makes your job of converting him to a paying customer that much easier!

A referral-friendly business is one which can continue to send you new customers day after day, year after year. Encourage it and reward it!

The Online Business Basics website offers free marketing tips and articles for beginners to the ‘net. Visit www.onlinebusinessbasics.com for more tips on how to effectively market your business on a limited budget.

Originally published in 2001