Guest post by Terri Seymour

Ezine or newsletter publishing is an essential element of your online business.  Ezines allow you to keep in contact with your prospective customers and to build relationships of trust and respect.  Relationship building is the foundation of your online business and producing a quality ezine or newsletter can help you accomplish this.

Over the years I have been asked many questions about how to publish and ezine.  Below are many of the most common questions people have asked.

Q: What is an ezine?

An ezine is simply an electronic newsletter or magazine emailed periodically to a list of opt-in subscribers.  Opt-in means these subscribers have signed up for and given permission for you to send your ezine.

Q: To whom do I send my ezine?

You will need to build a list of subscribers by advertising and promoting your ezine.  There are several free ways to do this.

Ad Swaps – Running other publishers’ ads in exchange for running yours is a great way to get a lot of free exposure and to build your mailing list.

Writing Articles – When writing and submitting articles be sure to offer your free newsletter in the resource box.  If people like your articles they will probably sign up for your ezine.

SigTag – By adding an attention grabbing headline and your subscribe address to your email sigtag, you can substantially increase your mailing list.

Message Boards – Join message boards and discussion groups and add your subscribe address to your signature.  Join in the conversations and give advice, help and guidance.  This will help you build your list as well.

Social Sites – Be sure to post info and mention your ezine and/or newsletter on your social sites.  This is an excellent way to get people to sign up.

Joint Ventures – Contact other ezine publishers and work together to promote each other.  Exchange thank you page ads, participate in group pop-up windows, swap ads in your welcome email, etc.  Be creative with joint ventures and you can help each other get more subscribers.

Q: How can my ezine make money?

Your ezine is like a lifeline between your business and your readers.  Your readers will come to trust you and your reputation will grow along with your business.  You can also earn extra money by selling advertising space in your ezine.

Q: What do I put in my ezine?

Fill your ezine with resources, helpful information, some fun, motivational stories, original or guest articles, product and affiliate program reviews, freebies, webmaster tools, etc.  Put yourself in your ezine as well.  Let your readers get to know you and give your newsletter some personality.  Be sure to have your contact info readily available for your readers.  Write an editorial and talk to your readers.  Encourage them to interact with you.  Writing and publishing a quality ezine is fun so let your ideas flow for an interesting and unique ezine!

Q: How do I send out my ezine?

There are many options for emailing your ezine and many of them are free.  When I started my first ezine many years ago, I used Yahoo Groups for sending it out.  That worked out very well.  Other options include:

Autoresponder – A favorite of many publishers but can get costly.

Web Host mailing Feature – I have also used this option.  It is free and works out very well.

Mailing List Software – You can also purchase software to manage and send out your newsletter.

Keywords are a crucial part of your website’s SEO.   Keywords are what people use to search for sites and if you are not using them properly, your site will not get found.  Thus, you will lose sales and money. If keywords are done correctly it could mean substantial traffic and sales for your online business.  However, the process of finding and using keywords is much more involved than you might think.  Read the following to see if you are making any of these mistakes with your keyword research and usage.

1. Not Researching Your Keywords – To find the most successful and relevant keywords for your site, you must do some research.  Find out what keywords are used the most and for what people are searching.  Do not only take search numbers into consideration.  Use the most relevant keywords for your site.  You can find lots of free keyword research tools online.

2. High Keyword Density – The general rule for effective keyword density is no higher than 5%.  This means that of your total content the keyword should not be more than 5% of the total amount of words.  So, if your website page has 100 words, your keyword should only be mentioned no more than five times.  More than this could be considered spamming and could lower your rankings.

3. Not Placing Properly – Keywords need to be placed in certain areas for maximum effectiveness.  This includes your page title, headings and subheadings, and first and last paragraphs.  And you want to gently and naturally use your keywords throughout the content.

4. Not Reviewing Periodically – Many of us first make the mistake of thinking that once we get the proper keywords placed and in use, we never have to do it again.  Do not make this mistake.  You want to review and revamp your keywords about every few months or so.   Search patterns change, SEO methods change and you need to make sure your keywords are still effective.

5. Not Being Target Specific – Using generic keywords can bring you more traffic but you want targeted traffic that will actually make a purchase.  For example: If you sell golf equipment, do not use the generic golf as a keyword.  Use more targeted keywords such as titanium golf clubs and other target specific phrases.  This will bring in fewer people but these people will find what they are looking for and probably be ready to purchase.

6. Not Considering Your Competition – When choosing your keywords, you need to take into consideration the competition.  Check what websites have top ranking for your keywords.  Do you have a chance at beating these competitors?  Or are they monster sites that will easily stay on top?  If there is no way you can beat your competition with those specific keywords, they would be a waste of time.  Using longer keyword phrases with less competition might make you more money.

7. Using Plural Keywords – This is a simple fix.  Most people, when searching for something, will use the singular.  But be sure to check it out and make sure.  There are some words that are normally used as plural, such as shoes, so it would get more searches.  But in general, the singular form might get you more results.

8. Using Single Keywords – Using a single word will not necessarily bring the people you need to your site.  Plus, the competition is probably way too high for single words.  If you sell cars, using the word cars is much too broad.  You need to use phrases such as gas efficient Ford compact or other very specific phrases.

9. Obsessing with One Keyword or Phrase – Do not just use one word or phrase over and over.  Choose several targeted and relevant phrases to sprinkle about your site.  Try to create a balance between target specific and traffic drawing keywords.

10. Giving Up Proper Grammar for Keywords – Never, never add so many keywords to your content that the copy begins to lose proper grammar and sometimes does not even make sense.   Your copy has to be readable and professional.  The search engines are pretty good at passing over sites that do not use proper grammar. Make sure you are not one of them!

Keyword research and usage is not something to take lightly.  Learn all you can to find and properly use the most effective keywords for your business.  The rewards could be substantial!

About the Author:
Don’t be one of the 95% of people who fail at their online business.  Terri Seymour can help you make money online.  Find out how to increase your traffic and sales with her popular “How to Build Your Online Business” ebook for FREE at:  ==> http://www.SeymourProducts.com

With Email marketing, like with any type of marketing or lead nurturing services, it is important that you consider your audience. In fact, the hardest part in marketing is determining who exactly your target market is. How do you define a target market? If you define a target market, will you lose out on sales from other people? It is very common for a new business owner to believe that their target market is everyone. “My target market is all mothers!” “My target market is everyone!” These are common words from moms who are new to marketing.

The truth is, if you work hard on defining who your specific audience is, you will actually create a situation where you sell more. Defining your audience makes it easier to decide what type of content you will have, what types products you will have, and even the right color to use for your blog, websites, and newsletters. Remember, you can’t market to everyone. Someone is your ideal customer, client or reader. So, how do you determine who your target market is?

Make a list – You probably already have an idea what types of products or services you want to provide. You may even have a blog devoted to a topic you are passionate about. If you do, start there. Make a list that describes the people you are writing your blog for or creating products for, narrowing down your list to specifics. You should know what your ideal client wants, needs, fears and dreams about.

Research – For example, if you have a blog about breastfeeding mothers, your target market is not “all mothers”, it is “breastfeeding mothers”. Therefore, you can describe a lot of things about your client. She breast feeds, she’s a mother, she cares about nutrition, she cares about health, she’s more likely to eat organic food, and she probably does not smoke. You can surmise most of these things, but you can also look up research to make sure you have your facts straight.

Once you define a target in which to focus, it will be easier to create an enduring brand. It will be easier to create content that speaks to the type of person who desires your information. If you prefer to use software for email marketing or PLR content from places such as PLR Nook it also makes it easier to know which types of content packages will work well with your audience. If you don’t do your research, you can easily alienate the people that you want to trust, like you and eventually, buy from you. For instance, using our breastfeeding a mom example, it would be a mistake to offer free samples of the formula, or other advertising regarding formula, unless you want to make your main audience really mad.

Some people are scared of the networking process. More people than you think. In fact, everyone goes through bouts of shyness. If you are naturally shy and the idea of going to a business function, shaking hands with strangers and making small talk makes you quiver, don’t despair. You don’t have to go to an actual business event to network. There are opportunities to meet new people in everyday situations. The following are some tips to help you network, even if you are on the shy side.

Friends and Family
Many people hesitate to go to their friends and family when they need help with their business. They don’t want them to think they are unsuccessful or obligated to help. Chances are, your friends and family would love to help. Ask your friends and family to spread the word about your business and the services you offer. Let them know you are not expecting them to buy anything from you; just put in a good word about your business to others.

Neighbors
You may talk to you neighbors casually from time to time. If you have not told them about your business before, you may want to bring it up the next time you talk to them. They may know someone who is looking for your services.

People You Know Because of Your Children
If you have children, you have boundless networking opportunities. If you have an infant, you may want to consider joining an exercise group for new mothers. If your child is a bit older, you probably find yourself at the park several times a week. And if your child is in school, you are surrounded by other parents on a daily basis.

Introduce yourself to the other parents. You can make small talk about the weather, a store that is having a sale on children’s clothing, or anything else. Eventually, the conversation will turn to what you do for a living. Briefly explain what you do; but try not to turn the conversation into a commercial about your business. The next time these parents need someone who offers the type of services you offer, they will think of you.

Volunteer Groups
Volunteering will make you feel good, and it can also help grow your business. You will be meeting lots of people; again, the conversations you have with these people may bring up the topic of what you do for a living. The more people that know about your business, the more referrals you can receive.

On the other hand, the organization may recommend you to other organizations and groups who are willing to pay for your services.

While it may seem unnatural at first to bring up your business in these types of conversations, it will become easier. You can always ask the other person what they do first. If you already know what they do, ask how their business is doing. This will lead them to ask you the same type of questions.

More on Networking.. Networking All-in-One For Dummies.

There are many women who have the desire to become work at home mothers (WAHMs). The great news is that due to the current economy and the need for many employers to cut costs, there are many opportunities for women to become work at home moms. Below are a few business ideas and strategies for those wishing to become work at home moms.

Work as a Freelancer: If you have a special interest or talent, consider using that to your advantage and become a work at home mom as a freelancer. You can do a number of things as a freelancer including website design, writing, editing, marketing and more! However, to become a successful freelancer (in any field), you will need to learn how to effectively market your skills and business in order to snag the clients you need.

How about Telecommuting: Telecommuting is similar to working as a freelancer in the fact that you are providing clients with services and working from your home. However, there are some differences with the main one being that you are still spending some time at “the office” of your clients, hence the word “telecommuting.” A few of the most popular types of telecommuting jobs include secretarial jobs, writing jobs, transcription jobs, travel agency jobs.

Fortunately, all of the above jobs can primarily be done from home, but do require some in-person contact with the clients. The key to working a telecommuting job is to find something you are experienced at and begin offering these services to professionals you believe will benefit from your services.

How about starting a Business: Another great option for becoming a work at home mom is to start up your own professional business from home. Consider nonprofit careers. When starting a new business career, all you need is a home office or space to work. Of course, you will be responsible for marketing and finding your clients, as with freelancing and telecommuting jobs. However, where freelance and telecommuting jobs are somewhat limited, there are many home-based businesses you can do. These include affiliate marketing, consulting, coaching, tutoring, dog grooming, babysitting and many more.

Strategizing Tips

Make a Plan: Working from home is great and has a lot of benefits, but in order to be successful you should create a daily business plan in advance. There are a lot of interruptions when working from home, which mean a lot of opportunities to lose time. To reduce the amount of productive time lost, make a list of the things you need to accomplish each day as far as your business goes. This will help you keep your business on track and profitable as you accomplish your goals.

Market Yourself: When you begin to work from home, your profit and success will be a direct reflection of your efforts – this includes your marketing efforts. Taking advantage of social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, will help tremendously with getting your name out there. Just be careful that you don’t go overboard and begin spamming people. You can also advertise your business by getting out there and joining social groups/clubs and meeting new people. Once you get to know new people and join in on conversations, you will be able to market your business to them in a casual non-spammy way. Then, they will tell their friends about you, and so on.

You may also find it beneficial to pay someone to take care of marketing your business for you. If you are able to find another work at home mom who specializes in this, you may be able to work out a “trade of services” which will benefit you both. Just be mindful of your budget when you begin to consider paid marketing services.

Article Image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos @ www.123rf.com

Every month you sit down to pay the bills and every month you wonder how in the world you’re spending so much. This is a common scenario for most families. The good news is there are a few things you can do to cut your monthly bills down.

Shop Around – Always shop around. Utility companies are in fierce competition with each other, use it to your advantage and shop around for the best savings. Don’t think you have to stick with a supplier you’re not happy with.

Leave the Car at Home – Don’t pay the outrageous fees for gas. If possible try to walk, you can also consider taking the bus or carpooling. When filling up the car, shop around for competitive rates.

Lower Your Thermostat – If it’s cold in the house don’t just automatically switch the heating to high. Put on an extra sweater and pair of socks instead.

Avoid Using Your Dryer – Dryers waste a lot of electricity which means higher bills for you. Try to hang up your clothes instead. This not only saves you money on electricity but will help some of your clothes last longer as well.

Make Sure It’s Full – Don’t use your washing machine or dishwasher when it’s half empty. Play around with the temperature settings to see if a lower temperature will do the job just as well as the pricier higher one.

Turn Off the Lights – Your father was right. Turn off the lights you’re not using to save electricity. If you’re just relaxing try lighting candles instead, this will save money and create a nice atmosphere (make sure you follow all safety guidelines).

Lower Your Water Bill – Try to take showers instead of baths. Turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth. Collect rain water and recycle it to water the plants. Make sure your faucets aren’t dripping. Use a bowl full of water when doing the dishes instead of leaving the tap running.

Change the Setting – Set your thermostats a couple of degrees lower in the winter and a couple of degrees higher in the summer for a big savings on your utility bills.

Filter Your Water – Investing in a good water filtering system can save you money on buying bottled water. It will also help you save money by making your appliances last longer due to lower lime scale buildup in hard water areas. You can even use less detergent when washing clothes or using the dishwasher.

Don’t Buy Disposable – Try to cut back on your shopping bills by not buying disposable items such as paper towels, use a clean dish cloth instead. Try to reuse your aluminum foil or sandwich bag containers or better yet buy plastic containers you can wash and reuse.

By following these tips, you can make a significant dent on your monthly bills. As an added bonus, you’ll also be contributing towards a healthier environment for your children and grandchildren to enjoy.

Article Image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos @ www.123rf.com

How to avoid consumerism and excessive over spending

From when you wake up in the morning, to when you go to sleep at night, you are overloaded with hundreds of advertisements, flashy products, and other more subtle marketing techniques. When you’re trying to live on a budget, these things are your enemy.

Here are some tips to avoid the urge to overspend.

Make a list. Stick to the list. Many times when we intend to make a shopping list, we end up getting in a rush and running out the door. And we also end up buying a lot of stuff we didn’t intend to and probably don’t need. The easiest way to write a list is to keep a notepad in your house and write and item down when you run out or realize you need it. Then, when you get to the store, only buy what’s on the list. If you want to try new things, search for freebies online to find out if you need it without paying for it.

Never shop hungry, or sad, or angry. We’ve all heard that you shouldn’t shop hungry. And if you’ve ever decided to hold off eating to go food shopping, you know why. But hunger isn’t the only thing that can alter your spending habits. Many people are more likely to spend money when they are emotional as a compensation to make themselves feel better. While you can’t always control when you need to go shopping, try to hold off on your trip if you’re having a really bad day or are just really emotional. And always remember to eat a snack before heading into the grocery store.

Never buy a product simply because it’s on sale. If you can get virtually the same product for a lower price tag, go ahead and do it. But if you never buy frozen dinners, don’t buy one just because it’s on sale. You end up leaving with a lot more than you meant and increase your spending.

Buy only what you need, especially if it’s perishable. Often, stores offer sales only if you buy larger amounts of a product. Sure you get each one cheaper, but you end up spending more money in the end. And if the item is perishable, it may end up going to waste. If the item isn’t perishable, you still need to look at how the extra purchase will affect your budget. Saving a few dollars may not be worth it if you have to go without something else you really need or overdraft your checking account.

Also, take a closer look at the policies of the stores you shop at. Look for department store savings and coupons at your favorite stores. Stores like Wal-mart may put up at “2 for $10”, but if you only buy one, you still get the $5 price tag.

Prioritize. Occasionally, even people on a budget can spoil themselves with little treats or even a large splurge, the key is not doing it all the time so you can stay within your budget. Make a list of all your expenses and prioritize them based on your wants and needs. Take care of each need in order. If you have money to spoil yourself when you get near the bottom of the list, then you know you can afford an extra purchase. Just remember to include a savings account near the top of your list in case of emergencies.

By watching yourself and using a little control, you can keep yourself from going overboard.

Article Image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos @ www.123rf.com

It seems almost absurd for baby boomers to think about retirement as the next stop in their long and eventful lives. But the absurd has become a reality. As the baby boomer generation moves into their mid fifties and sixties, that specter of retirement looms ever closer. So it’s natural and appropriate to sit back and review exactly what that means to each of us.

For many, the traditional attitude toward retirement has been one of joy. The concept of laying down your worries and bringing your work life to a comfortable end is something to look forward to. The image of a life of sleeping late, golfing as much as you wish, taking up two or three hobbies and living a life of leisure is an idyllic vision in our minds for sure.

But the reality of retirement can also be a source of anxiety and fear. If the baby boomer who approaches that threshold is not financially prepared or the affairs and concerns of their work lives are not ready to be set aside, the idea of having go retire simply due to age seems to be a harsh and an unpleasant prospect. In both of these visions of a future retirement, we are probably working under as much myth as we are reality about what it will be like to retire. But one thing baby boomers are good at is debunking myths and defying conventional wisdom and defining each era of their lives in their own terms.

We can expect the same as baby boomers move into retirement. This is a generation that did not have the benefit of employers who were loyal to employees and kept the same staff from college through their retirement party and from whom they could expect a hefty retirement package. But boomers are not the kind of generation that lets things sneak up on them. Working with such excellent organizations as AARP, there are resources and options baby boomers can tap into to create a secure financial future despite the lack of participation by past employers.

But as with all other phases of life however, financial security is not what makes life worthwhile all by itself. Planning ahead for and senior insurance and funeral insurance are very important, and as baby boomers see retirement coming at their next stop, another myth that has to go is that retirement is the end of the productive part of life. This image of living a life of leisure, never working and letting others take care of us is not necessarily a healthy approach to retirement any more than it would be at any other phase of life.

Human beings are at their best when they are useful, creative, productive and pursuing a dream. It has been shown time and time again that when a senior citizen can no longer be part of something larger than themselves and see themselves as productive in life, their will to live declines with the inevitable result of an end of life that is earlier than it has to be. So the financial demand that some baby boomers face that they may have to work on into what is considered to be the “retirement years” may have a hidden blessing of extending their lives in a healthy way because these will the baby boomers who know they must stay fit and active because, just like always, they have to get up and go to work.

For those who do lay down their labors at retirement age, second careers are often a great way for aging baby boomers to not only create a second revenue stream but to pursue a career path that had always been a dream in life. Another alternative as well for staying active and useful in retirement is to become passionate about a cause in life that has always been important to you.

Baby boomers have always been a people driven by causes. So what better way for baby boomers to use their retirement than to become activists to make a difference in the world, just as they did in youth when they did so much to make a difference? The world will be a better place for their involvement and the retired baby boomer will live a happier senior life as well.

Article Image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos @ www.123rf.com

One of the great things about starting a business from home is that many of these jobs can be started with a small budget. Of course, there are some work at home jobs that take less money to start than others. If you are a mom who has a small budget, but would like to work from home then keep reading. Below are a few low-cost ideas for work at home businesses.

First Things First: Get a Website – The first thing you need for any work at home job is to get a website up and running. This is how you will promote yourself to many of your clients. When prospective clients visit your website, they will not only learn more about yourself and your credentials, but they’ll also get your contact information.

There are a couple of options for starting a business website. The first is to start a free blog to establish yourself and your business. Or, you can create a traditional website and pay approximately $10 for your domain name. Both are inexpensive and easy to do.

Job Idea #1 – Virtual Assistant: If you are one who enjoys doing secretarial work and/or administrative duties, then becoming a virtual assistant may be the job for you. Virtual assistants do a wide variety of things such as transcription, translation work, preparation of mailing, technical support, designing website, marketing, scheduling flights and much more. Virtual assistants are masters at using the internet and telephone to get things done.

You may or may not need to take a course before you start a Virtual Assistant business. Your success has a lot to do with the services you offer and the hours you are willing to dedicate to your job.

Job Idea #2 – Consulting: If you have a lot of knowledge about something that many people find valuable, then start a home consulting business sharing your knowledge. A great way to start a consulting business is to tell your family and friends what you are going to be doing. Also, start telling others in your field of expertise and word will get around quickly.

While you can be a consultant on practically anything, there are many fields that have proven to be successful. These include: green living, nutrition, marketing, natural lifestyles, education and more. The great thing about consulting is that this is a job where uniqueness pays off. If you know a lot about something that many others do not, then you may have just found a niche that will pay off!

Job Idea #3 – Freelance Writing: Freelance writers are in great demand because of the power of the internet. Almost every business has a website and needs content for it. In addition to this type of content, there are many people who have affiliate marketing business who need content promoting various products. There are also people out there who need information on a regular basis for their blogs, etc. Freelance writing can be a great work at home job for those who enjoy researching and writing!

Job Idea #4 – Childcare Services: There are always going to be children who need somewhere to go before they start school while their parents work. And, there are always parents who don’t want their children to be put in a large daycare with tons of other children. So, if you enjoy children and are looking for a job you can do from home, consider starting an in-home daycare.

The Author of this post is Velma Baird

I am all about simplifying things as much as possible. Whether it’s getting all of my groceries at one place or one skillet meals, I like to take as few steps as possible. It’s not laziness; it’s self-preservation! With four kids there just aren’t enough hours in the day. To make paying bills easier, I’ve tried to bundle as many services as possible so I have fewer bills to pay out. When it was time to renew my television and internet service I signed up for direct tv internet. One bill to pay both is just one step to making life easier, but every little step saves me time. That time adds up over the month and gives me a break occasionally! I don’t so much with it. Sometimes it’s just half an hour to sit and read or watch a program that isn’t animated, but the downtime does me a world of good and I am grateful for every second of it!