Business Accounter

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Can Search Engine Submission Service Help Your Simple Work From Home Opportunity?

Are you new to the Internet and are trying to promote your work from home business website? Have you come across ads about search engine submission services that will dramatically increase your website traffic? Are you tempted to try this kind of service to see if this magic can happen to you? Read the following, understand the underlying principles of traffic creation, and then make an informed decision.

1. Methods of getting listed with search engines

Getting indexed by the search engines is the first step to getting traffic from search engines. Intuitively, if the search engines do not know your existence, as in the case of not being indexed by the search engines, there is no way they can tell their surfers that you have the answer to their searches.

One method to get listed with a search engine is by submitting a request to be listed by the particular search engine through an online form and then wait to be indexed. This process can take weeks, and the requesting site is completely at the mercy of the search engine’s processing style. This is also the type of submission service advertised by the typical SEO companies.

The other method is by way of creating unique content with a link pointing back to your web site at either a high authority site or through blogging.

Creating unique content at a site with higher page rank would involve typically the following:

- submitting an original article to a well-reputed article directory

- commenting on a blog post of the higher ranked site in your niche with a link back to your own web site (make sure it is a dofollow blog so that your )

- posting in the forum, if applicable, of the higher ranked site with a link back to your web site in your signature (make sure it is not a private forum and not password protected; otherwise, your link in your signature will not be picked up by the search engines).

By indexing the new content of the higher authority site, the search engines will also pick up any links imbedded in the content and index the web pages associated with the imbedded links. As such, getting indexed in a matter of hours would simply mean to submit an article to Ezinearticles and get it approved.

Creating your own blog is another effective way to get your web site home page indexed quickly by the search engines. Search engines love blogs as blogs tend to be more original in content by nature. Frequently updated blogs can be picked by search engines in a matter of minutes. Any links placed in the new blog posts will also be indexed by the search engines at the same time.

Empircally, it is actually quicker to get listed with major search engines by way of creating content at high authority sites or simply with a blog. These methods also create better quality links as they involve unique content surrounding the links. Furthermore, both methods are completely free. Comparatively, search engine submission service pales in terms of cost efficiency and the overall effectiveness.

2. How many search engines are out there?

An Internet newbie may be dazzled by the claim that search engine submission can reach tens of thousands of search engines that are secret silos somewhere with an abundance of potential traffic. That list of tens of thousands of search engines is usually their trade secret whose claim can never be verified by the average customer. The truth is no one knows for sure how many search engines are out there. What is public knowledge is that close to 95% of the search traffic comes from the top three search engines (Google, Yahoo, and MSN). Additionally, many smaller search engines use the results of these prominent search engines anyway. This makes submission to smaller search engines less important.

3. Getting listed with search engines is not enough to bring in traffic

Most newbies do not understand that being listed by a search engine is not enough to generate traffic. You have to get your web site to the top of the search results with your chosen keywords to get any significant traffic. To get to the top, there is a whole, possibly long, process of keyword research, web site optimization, online or offline, and unique content creation through article marketing and/or blogging. This tireless content creation process will build quality backlinks, which in turn raise one’s page rank as well as bringing in increasing organic traffic.

Content drives the traffic, not the search engine listing itself. It is hard to imagine that a web site will enjoy tons of traffic without any backlinks or unique content created in its network.

4. The merit of search engine submission service

Search engine submission still has merits. For those well established sites that are already enjoying good traffic from the prominent search engines, getting listed with more search engines means more exposure to web surfers, particularly, if those smaller search engines use the results of the top search engines anyway. For newbies, search engine submission is really not top priority in terms of web site promotion, let alone doing it at a cost.

Ironically, it is usually the newbies, who do not understand the principles underlying traffic creation who fall for the romantic vision of dramatic increase in web traffic. This is perhaps another reason why search engine submission service is in flourish.

About the Author

Ying Hong reviews quality, proven, simple work from home opportunity at http://www.HomeBizOnlineThatWorks.com Visit Ying's My Home Biz Journal at http://ying-pluginprofit.blogspot.com

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Sunday, January 11, 2009

How To Pitch To Investors

Companies preparing to meet with investors can improve their odds of raising capital by creating a compelling story and pitching that story to investors.The goal of the pitch is not what you might think.The goal is to peak the investor's interest to learn more.

Focus on the most important points on your business model for the time you have such as the problem, the solution, market size, customers, sales cycle, barriers to entry, IP protection, competition, partners, joint ventures, management, advisory board, financials, uses of funds, and the offer.Take your time to make sure you are clear and understandable to the investors.

Entrepreneurs messaging should articulate their unique value proposition about their target market on how the investor will get a "pay raise" by choosing to invest.The message should be tailored to the investment audience.

-Investors that are in the "business of investing" look for reasons not to invest so they can narrow down the deals they will examine if the company has:


-Incomplete financials and/or business plan


-Complex or confusing message on business model or investment opportunity


-Structure of the offering, relative to a high valuation, unclear exit or return to the investor


-Inexperience or incomplete management team and/or attitude of the management


-A specific industry focus or niche marketplace


Companies often have third parties review their business model documents like the business plan, financials, and offering to:


Identify and examine your market opportunity, your company's role in that market, your competitive and market analysis


- Evaluate your proof of concept and validation of your product or service


- Verify your business has clear business objectives and milestones for financial, sales, customer database, internal organization, and employees


- Identify your business strategies for growth, infrastructure, and development for financial accounting and human resources


- Check for any fatal flaws in your plan that would keep an investor from investing


- Appraise that your concepts are in clear and concise terms that an investor will understand


- Determine if your revenue and financial model makes sense for your business model


- Assess your plan from the investor's point of view, the ability to attract capital at the best value, and meet the expectations of professional investors and lenders.

Companies need a reality check when raising capital.It costs time and money to raise money.

Entrepreneurs must plan accordingly.You can spend a lot of time identifying, scheduling, meeting with each investor and following up and following through.This involves potentially hundreds of meetings and getting a lot of .It is very difficult to raise a lot of money, in a timely manner, and run and manage a fast growing early stage company.

Often entrepreneurs hire an investment banking firm, broker dealer, or professional services firm in that business to help them manage the investment raise process, which costs money.The seed round should be done on your own; with investors you know or have direct access to, without paying any fees.

Once you are beyond their seed round, you need to adopt strategies that will put you in front of hundreds of investors over a reasonable amount of time.This includes participating in business plan competitions, investor forums, and as many opportunities as possible to "pitch" to investors.

There are fees associated with putting these events on and therefore a cost should be anticipated and budgeted for in raising millions of dollars.Entrepreneurs should only pay to present to a group of investors after they have raised a seed round and need access to a new larger pool of potential investors that are savvy about high growth opportunities.

Whether you are seeking $100,000 or $1,000,000, a structured offering should be based on solid inputs from the business model to establish the value of the stock and how much investors will get for their investment.

Documents must be signed and entrepreneurs must establish a legal protocol for collecting the money.That protocol can include a Private Placement Memorandum (PPM), Subscription or Stockholder agreements.These documents explain the opportunity, the risks, and have an investor questionnaire to validate the investor has enough wealth to make the investment.


About the Author

"Where Qualified Investors and Capital Connect with Innovative Companies".

Network of Business Angels Investors (http://nbai.net), and NBAI Private Equity Investor Forums."How to Pitch to Investors" free webinars at http://findinvestorcapital.com and more info at www.launchfn.com


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Saturday, September 15, 2007

Define Your Target Marketing in 5 Easy Steps

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This report is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, independent contractors and anyone who needs to build relationships and develop leads or referrals in order to promote and increase their business.

The information in this report is given based on the assumption that YOU know your product and service inside and out and you have already defined your business goals and have somewhat of a business plan in order.

The next step would be to narrowly and clearly define your target market, your ideal prospect.

Some people believe that their products or services would be perfect for everyone. For example, Mary Kay Cosmetics - no offense to my MK friends or other people in the health industry who say 'anyone with skin' needs a facial or 'anyone who has stress need a massage. Then there are people in the home improvement industry who say, 'anyone with a house' needs my landscaping, my windows, my furniture or my loan, etc.

For most small businesses however (1-5 employees or even more), I don't believe this is the most effective way to try to generate new leads and customers. If you determine the right target market to fit your business, you figure out the best ways to reach them AND if you figure out the best message to reach them with you will be spending your marketing dollars wisely. Business owners who don't plan ahead to figure out who their target market is before they open their doors end up spending a whole lot more money trying to figure it out by trial and error and that's expensive.

Would you shell out $200 for a pair of shoes without trying them on? Plunge into a steaming bath without dipping a toe in first? Of course not-but people do the business equivalent every day. Many an entrepreneur has found out too late that nobody wants to buy hand-quilted Christmas stockings at $24.99 a pop, or that wealthy customers won't schlep to the unfashionable part of town for luxury stationery.

The irony: Conventional market research is expensive (corporations regularly budget tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for it), but no one needs it more than a startup entrepreneur. A couple of marketing blunders won't put a giant manufacturer out of business, but just one can sink an entrepreneur like a bolt of lightning.

Defining Your Target Market

Your "target customers" are those who are most likely to buy from you. Resist the temptation to be too general in the hopes of getting a larger slice of the market. Try to describe them with as much detail as you can, based on your knowledge of your product or service and how it will benefit them.

Step 1: Ask yourself some questions to get started

1. Are your target customers male or female?
Figure 75-80% of your target customers would be which? If it's split, narrow it down another way but more than likely you can narrow down the gender.

2. How old are they?
Give an age range of 10-20 years max, otherwise you might have two target markets. Remember, the marketing messages towards different age groups will be quite different most likely depending on your product or service.

3. Where do they live?
Is geography a limiting factor for any reason? Can you narrow it down to specific zip codes or counties? The larger the geographical area you choose, the more people you will find but the less likely you'll be able to afford to market to all of them so narrow it down and expand out later.

4. What do they do for a living?
You can get a mailing list by industry or profession and specific title for example.

5. What does their specific profession say about their lifestyle?
Is it very busy with little time to shop? Would they be likely to be familiar with the internet for their shopping, researching, news and event information? Would they be commuting more in their car?

6. How much money do they make?
This is most significant if you're selling relatively expensive or luxury items. Most people can afford a latte. You can't say the same of custom murals. Narrow this down to a specific range also and high enough that you will weed some people out or again, you'll have way too many people to afford to market to.

7. Are there kids in the household?
What ages might they be? How many would there likely be? What does this say about their lifestyle - are they carpooling, or soccer parents where they are rarely home? Do they possibly eat out a lot or have less 'family' bonding time? Or are they empty nesters where they might spend more time at home watching television or reading?

Step 2: Get specific

What other aspects of their lives matter? Here are some examples to think about, see how your target market compares or how you can get more specific with them.

* If you're launching a roof-tiling service, your target customers probably own their homes. In addition, they probably own homes with older roofs like shake roofs; you can get a list of homes by their age.

* If you're a realtor, you might be interested in targeting first time homebuyers in which case you might find them to be likely to live in apartments or rentals of which you can get a list of those too.

* If you're selling your own individual artwork but you can't create multiple paintings with the same picture, you may have to sell the unique pieces at local art shows rather than selling them online.

* If you're planning to open a custom-tailoring shop and need busy executives to come for three fittings, you may need to limit it to your local area.

* If you're a direct jewelry consultant needing women to gather for parties in someone's home, you'll want to go where many women meet like mom's groups, women's professional organizations, day cares or grocery stores.

* If you're a business or life coach and want to coach only over the phone then you'll most likely want to do more online marketing and make sure to have a really top notch website since that's mostly what people are going to see for their first impression. You can network locally too but the more 'known' you are in person, the more people will want to do business with you in person. Step 3: Keep your mind open to any information

Keep a list of primary research questions handy, such as:

* Who influences your customers and how? Spouses, neighbors, peer groups, professional colleagues, children and the media can all affect buying decisions. Look for hints that one or more of these are a factor for you.

* Why do they buy? Distinguish between the features and the benefits your product or service offers. Features describe what it is; benefits are what your customers get out of it. The latter is why your customers pay you. Are they looking for a status symbol, a savings in time or energy, a personal treat or something else?

* Why should customers choose you and not your competition? What can you offer that the competition doesn't?

* How do your customers prefer to buy? Many businesses benefit from the broader market provided by the Internet and mail order, while others do better with a physical presence. Don't assume you fall into one category or the other; customers may surprise you.

Step 4: Identify Your Ideal or Favorite Client

Think about your favorite client - who are they, name them, write down everything you know about them, their family status, age, sex, marital status, where they live, where they work, possible income level, their shopping characteristics.

* Do they like to use coupons or shop on certain days? ? Do they call you at the last minute to get something from you?

* Do they value your service/product? ? Is that type of client the most profitable type you have or the most non-profitable and you just like them?

Step 5: Determine their profitability to your business

Which type of clients will make you the most money, bring you joy and refer you tons of business? These are the types of clients you ultimately want, now where are they?

Ask Yourself:

* Who is the most profitable type of client? The one who will make you the most amount of money the fastest and with the least effort - do you like working with them? If not, you won't be totally happy with only this type of person, maybe you need a combination of the two.

* How often will they be able to buy or consume your product or service? If they can only possibly purchase your services every 10-20 years (getting a new roof for example), do you never market to them again after the sale or do you heavily market to them after the sale by every means possible for at least 1 year to get all the referrals you could possibly get out of them in that time?

* How likely are they to know others like them they can refer to you? Normally, very likely, in which case following up with them before, during and after the sale is huge - and if you don't ask for referrals in each stage of the sale continuously then shame on you.

* What is really important to them when it comes to your product or service? Not what you think they should know or like, but actually what they care about, like, ask for, thrive on, are passionate about, etc. These are your target market's "Hot Buttons" and these are what you should be addressing in your headlines, letters and marketing efforts at all times because these are why the client would choose to buy.

Defining your business' target market is absolutely critical to any small business. Everything you do in your marketing, advertising, design, publicity and networking will depend on who your target market is and what matters to them. Making decisions on your marketing and advertising without fully defining your target market or knowing them in depth could be detrimental to your business and you could be making some costly mistakes!

About the Author: Katrina Sawa, Relationship Marketing Expert, helps entrepreneurs and independent consultants build their database of clients and prospects, determine the best ways to market their business to their target market, teach them how to network, develop follow up systems, marketing and advertising plans and find ways to get free or low cost publicity which all lead to more customers and increased sales! Visit her at http://www.ksawamarketing.com/.


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