Take it away, Susanne!

Niche Marketing: Mission Impossible Style

by Susanne Myers

Let’s have a little fun with niche marketing and approach it “Mission Impossible” style. I don’t know what causes me to come up with these quirky topics and analogies when I’m writing for Nicole’s blog, but I sure hope you’re enjoying it. With that said let’s dive right in …

Your mission, should you accept it, is to connect your readers with the best solutions to help solve their problems. Let me introduce you to your team:

• WordPress Site With Awesome Content
• Redirected Affiliate Links
• Autoresponder Messages
• Niche Research Packs

Let’s start with some good news.

Building a profitable niche website is not an impossible mission. In fact, if you assemble your team and put it to good use following the steps I’m outlining below, it won’t take you long at all.

Let’s say you want to set up a new site over the summer to help pay for that new car you want to buy (I know you’re car shopping Nicole). I like doing that anytime we have a new purchase coming up or even to save up for a nice vacation or a new laptop.

Every good mission needs some sort of mission plan. Here’s yours:

Start With The End Goal In Mind

I find it helps to set some sort of goal for the site. This could be making an extra $200 a month to pay for an upcoming vacation, $50 to cover the phone bill or $2000 to make your mortgage payment each month. Without a goal, you don’t know what you’re working toward. Having the goal helps you figure out how hard you need to work, how fast you need to build your site, how much traffic you need and how big of a list you want.

Once you have your dollar amount, it’s time to find a suitable niche to work with.

Find A Problem And Solution

As I mentioned before, your job on this mission is to help people solve their problems and since we are in the US,  that often involves our wallets and credit cards. Of course some of the problems are going to be solved by sharing a quick tip or explaining and idea. But since we’re in it to make a living from niche marketing, you also want to find good products to promote.

Build Your Site

Let’s bring some of our team members into play.

Team member #1 is a site (or blog) built with the free WordPress software. It’s quick and easy to install, very customizable and most importantly it’s fast and simple to add content to it. Use this team member to its fullest advantage by learning more about using wordpress and the various plugins available. For example there are quite a few good ones out there to help your readers share your posts via social media. (see those Facebook and Twitter buttons on this page for example).

Team member #2 is Redirection. Redirection is a simple plugin that helps you to redirect your affiliate links from within the WordPress dashboard. Of course any other way to redirect your links will do – just make sure you get it done.

Built Your List

Team member #3 is your autoresponder. 

My favorite autoresponder to use is Aweber. (Both Nicole and I use it.)

Set it up right away and start creating autoresponder messages that send subscribers back to your niche website, share additional tips and of course make offers. Your list will be one of your biggest assets so get started here as early as possible.

Your Secret Weapon – Niche Research Packs
Last but not least, I would like to introduce you to a secret weapon – or an ace up your sleeve – Niche Research Packs. They help you set up niche websites on the fly with all the time-consuming research already done for you.

Nik says:  If you use Susanne's Niche Research Packs, it's a heck of a lot faster than doing it yourself and a heck of a lot cheaper than hiring someone!

In each niche pack, you get…

• Detailed niche description
• Who your target market for this niche is
• List of affiliate products available
• 100 domain name ideas (plus list of modifiers for hundreds more)
• Detailed keyword report for over 1000 keywords
• 100 article and blog post ideas
• 15 different author resource boxes
• 2 different detailed marketing plans (beginner and advanced) with action steps to get you up and running right away.
• List of available PLR products for this niche
• Recommended tools and resources

Here’s the link to check those out: Niche Research Packs

(NOTE: Use coupon  61414 – to save $20 off any niche pack)

Please show Susanne some love and comment below.

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

Want to see more posts from Susanne? Check these out…

• Online Success Interview: Susanne Myers
• How to Create Niche Products
• Reinvent Yourself
• What is Link Building and How Does it Impact SEO?
• Before Building One Way Links – 3 Things You Need To Have In Place First
• Link Building Frequently Asked Questions
• How to Declutter Your Online Business
• How to Create Passive Income and Summer Fun
• Affiliate Marketing Lessons That I Learned at The Bowling Alley
• Skip The Latest And Greatest Marketing Techniques and Stick With Stuff That Really Works

Since I just finished my taxes for last year, I thought it might be helpful if I shared where my money went. (Yes, I'll also share soon where it comes in from, too, but I'll save that for another day.)

This is where my money goes in my business… (I'll be updating this if I find more regular payments.)

I'll start with Recurring Payments for Tools that I Use.

Domains.

I'm down to about 90 domains. (I used to be a domain junky, but am streamlining much better now.) Obviously that can get expensive, especially if you're adding any privacy or extras to each domain you register. I get a discount on my domains since I'm considered a high-end user, but still pay around $7/year.

• I use GoDaddy.

Website Hosting.

I have several hosting accounts. I don't like to have all of my eggs in any one basket.

• Mom Webs is where I refer people who are totally new to online business. I've been a customer – and am co-owner of Mom Webs and have been for years. They're used to handling support from scared new online business owners. Highly recommend.
  
• Host Gator is the other company I use. They're solid and I've been a customer of their for years, too. I like that they're a Green Hosting company.
  

You can't go wrong with either choice.

Autoresponder.

Your autoresponder will maintain your lists for you, and help you to actually earn cash when you need it.

• Aweber – The service I’ve used since 2005 to manage most of my newsletters, ecourses, and ezines. (If you get emails from me, they probably come through this list managing service.)

Shopping Cart.

If you want to have affiliates promote your products then you'll need a shopping cart of some sort.

I use a few.

• 1ShoppingCart – this is the cart I use to run EasyPLR.com. It IS 1shoppingcart. Just a reseller name. I’ve had an account with since 2009 and love the flexibility.
• Clickbank – Clickbank’s Publisher Program. (This is the easiest option.)
  Plus: Easy Click Mate – If you use clickbank, this is a really great tool to create an affiliate center. I use both for my YummyPLR.com site and my JustAddSweat.com site.

Project Management.

If you work with service providers, this tool can be very helpful to manage your team.

• Basecamp – Allows me to track projects and who is working on each one.

Computer Backups.

You NEED offsite computer backups if you're running a business. Backing up to CDs or DVDs or an external drive is not enough.

• Mozy – Keeps my computer (and therefore, my income) safe. (Try it free.)

Audio Recording for My Podcast & Storage.

I record all of my podcasts on the telephone. You can record using Skype, but I just prefer using the phone so I can walk around and handle things while I'm doing interviews. (Like letting the dogs out, checking on the kids, etc.

• Record Audio (the simple non-techie way) – Quick and easy way to record audio from your microphone or telephone and put it on your computer. No techie stuff involved. This is what I use to record my podcasts.

Telephone.

I don't have a separate business line yet, but will be soon. However, I did find super-cheap phone service that I've been using for a few months and I like it.

• My Phone Service. It's like Vonage but much (much) cheaper.

Here are the One-Time Payments for Software and Tools.

Password Protection.

I highly recommend you use unique passwords for everything. Don't use the same password for your email as you do for Twitter and your autoresponder. I suggest using different ones for everything – and I personally do that. How? Glad you asked.

• Password Manager Program – Keeps track of all of my logins, usernames and passwords, so I don’t have to. (Try it free.)

Where Else Does My Money Go?

Other Software.

I'll oftentimes find a plugin or new piece of software that I'll grab to test it out. If I like it, you hear about it. If not, you don't. (Most, you don't because it's just not worth the learning curve.)

Partners.

I love to partner with other business owners who have strengths different than mine. In fact, I taught a course on the topic a few years ago. www.EasyPartnerships.com Good stuff.

So, I send money to my partners each month based upon our profits.

Affiliates.

Of course, I pay my affiliates each month. That's a payment I'm thrilled to pay. It means I made more money than I would have alone!

Outsource Expenses.

I hire Virtual Assistants, Graphic Designers, and Writers for my business. And I have an Accountant. So, obviously I pay them each month.

Travel.

I make more money EVERY single time I go to a live event, whether I'm speaking or just going there to hang out. Want to meet up with me? Here's where I'll be next. (Coming soon.)

Advertising.

I've started to advertise more. Obviously the goal of advertising is for it not to end up as an expense, but it does require initial output so I'll leave it in the expenses.

Learning.

I'm always learning. (And, yes, I invest in courses, too.) One of my favorites right now is this Private Newsletter.

I hope that snapshot helps you get an idea of what I consider important in my business.

Warmly,
Nicole

PS. Yes, of course, there are affiliate links in this list.

A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said:

“You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?”

So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said:

“See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides.”

So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other:

“Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along.”

Well, the Man didn't know what to do, but at last he took his Boy up before him on the Donkey.

By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said:

“Aren't you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey of yours and your hulking son?”

The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey's feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to Market Bridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the Boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned.

“That will teach you,” said an old man who had followed them:

“Please all, and you will please none.”

So, what's the lesson in regard to business?

Well, you can't possibly make everyone happy. There's NO way – no matter how hard you try. And, no matter how many times people say “I love what you're doing, and thank you so much!” There will always be some who aren't happy. No matter how much you second-guess yourself and try to offer value – someone will not appreciate what you're doing.

This is applicable in all areas of business, but nowhere will you feel it more than with your mailing list.

To mail or not to mail? That is the question. And, what the HECK should you mail?

Awhile back, I posted about List Building Lessons – and we touched on this topic. (That's a great blog post. Read it if you haven't yet. One of my favorites.)

After that, I started experimenting a bit. I knew that I had people on my list who wanted to hear from me more frequently, but also that I'd lose some people if I tried.

Added to that dilemma is the fact that my lists are in several places (between Aweber and my shopping carts) so there is some overlap there – people may get multiple emails.

And, to add a little more confusion is that I have autoresponder messages set to go out weekly with tips and special deals in most of my lists. So, they might get a double email from me without me sending two – just because of that autoresponder message.

So… how do you manage all of that?

Well, by offering value, I guess. And, in knowing that the people who love you want more from you. I have asked for feedback on several occasions from friends, customers, affiliates and normally I get 99%  of this…

“Yes, keep the good stuff coming!”

“I love it!”

“Nicole, I trust everything you send.”

And, then I get the ONE… well, who in no uncertain terms said that he or she would rather not hear from me as often and how DARE I send so many emails? 

So, what do you do when that happens?

Two things –

1. You look at the numbers.

For me, mailing more often caused my open rates for emails to increase while my unsubscribes actually decreased. Why? Well, I'm guessing that people started to get to know me better and/or look for my emails to come.

2. You learn that you can't please everyone.

After you stop feeling like you've been kicked in the stomach. (Yes, it always feels like that – even when it shouldn't.) Then, you objectively look at what you're doing. And, if your goal is to provide value and you see that you are — and the numbers also say that your readers, customers, affiliates — enjoy your content, then ignore the ones who you will never please.

After all, you're no donkey. lol.

Big hugs and thank you for being part of my day!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

PS. This story also has a huge moral in being UNIQUE and not trying to please everyone because then it's harder to stand out. But, I'll save that for another day.

Actually, that's not so much the case as there are a TON of different ways to make money with affiliate marketing. The hard part is choosing the easy one for you.

I just found this video from my friend, Liz Tomey, and by “my friend” yes, I've known her for a few years. No, we don't vacation together or paint each other's toenails, but I know and like her.

I also enjoy chatting it up with her hubby Jamie Bing (who happens to also be her affiliate manager), too.

So, back to the point of this blog post, Liz created a wonderfully simple video and I really enjoyed it.

BUT, that's not the reason why I'm posting it here. I'm sharing it because I think it can really help a lot of you to see through the fuzz and come up with a course of action.

Kind of like those Claritin commercials where they pull the plastic off the screen to show everything crystal clear? Like that.

So, quit reading this and click play right now! Geez. Bossy, aren't I.

If you're ready to rock and roll with one of Liz's ideas,
you can Grab the Tax Man PLR Blowout Package here.

Now some info that Liz gave me to help explain what's going on here.

Easy Affiliate Marketing: Do This and Repeat Every Week – And Profit!

Private label rights has been a hot topic over the last several years and for a good reason.

When you get private label rights to a product, you can take that product and turn it into your own content or your own product.

Imagine all the time you will save NOT having to create all the content…

As affiliate marketers though sometimes we are overlooked on the private label rights front, so today I wanted to dedicate this post to helping you learn how to use private label rights content to explode your affiliate marketing…

First off…

Affiliate marketing should always start with building a list in your chosen niche. This is key…

Simply setup a squeeze page giving something of great value away for free in exchange for the visitors name and email address. (I use this autoresponder.)

Videos are awesome to use in your marketing because of the conversions that they can produce. Anytime you can get private label rights to videos you need to snatch them up!

Side Note: Liz Tomey has just released a huge package of private label rights products that include video workshops, video product, video reviews and so much more. This will help you a ton in your affiliate marketing and you can get the entire package PLUS personal coaching from Liz at here:  PLR Package

Now once you start building a list, you basically have a license to print money.

You simply find a (edited to add: GREAT) product related to your niche and send an email to your list about it. They buy, are happy, and you make money.

It really is that simple…

Now once you have your list, you can also do other things to profit from it.

Stuff like…

Adding bonuses for buying through your links
Review products and sending the reviews to your list
Create products that you own and sell to your list

And so so so much more!

So here's the plan step-by-step…

1. Create a squeeze page that gives something away for free to start building your list

Note: You can use PLR content to create your free offer.

2. Review a product and create a message to send to your list that has a link to the review. You can then load this into your autoresponder and each person who joins your list will automatically get it.

Note: In Liz Tomey's Tax Man PLR Blowout package she gives you 25 video reviews of 25 different products that you can send to your list. You can get these by clicking here -> Tax Man PLR Package.

3. Find a product to promote to your list, and create a bonus to give to people who buy through your link. Create a message to send to your list that has a link to your bonus offer. You can then load this into your autoresponder and each person who joins your list will automatically get it.

Note: You can use PLR content to create your bonus product. You can get incredible PLR content to create your bonus with by clicking here -> Tax Man PLR Package.

4. Find good PLR content and use it to create your own product.  Create a message to send to your list that has a link to your product in it. You can then load this into your autoresponder and each person who joins your list will automatically get it.

5. Rinse and repeat steps 2, 3, and 4….

This is the best way to create an autopilot income hands down!

If you actually DO this, then ALL you have to concentrate on is driving traffic to your squeeze page.

So, there you go. There's an entire plan using PLR content as an affiliate marketer!

Now where do you get all this private label content from?

I recommend that you check out Liz Tomey's Tax Man PLR Package.

In this package you'll get private label rights to video reviews, entire workshop and coaching programs, products, and more that are ALL personally created by Liz Tomey…

Not only that, but Liz is also offering personal coaching showing you how to use all the content too!

Now there are only 500 of these packages that will be sold, so make sure you go and grab one if you want it right now.

Remember, you can get an extra $50 in PLR from EasyPLR.com as a special bonus.

So, here’s what to do if you’re interested in this package:

1. Check out Liz Tomey’s amazing offer by clicking here: Grab the Tax Man Blowout Here!

2. If you decide to purchase, go ahead and order.

3. Be sure to check out the additional offer. I grabbed that one, too.

4. After you order, look around at EasyPLR.com and pick out the article packs that you’d like (max. $50).

5. Send your receipt to helper@easyplr.com along with the names of the PLR packs that you’d like as your bonuses.

6. Start downloading like crazy! And, get ready for Liz’s coaching.

7. Apply and profit. 

Warmly,
Nicole

Here are the tools I recommend to get started:

Tools for Running Your Affiliate Program:

Clickbank – Clickbank's Publisher Program. (This is the easiest option.)

Note: Easy Click Mate – If you use clickbank, this is a really great tool to create an affiliate center.

WahmCart.com/special – An affordable shopping cart for digital (downloadable products) if you'd prefer to have something more flexible than clickbank (or have more control).

Tools for Keeping in Touch with Affiliates:

Aweber.com – An online autoresponder to communicate with your affiliates (customers, leads, etc.).

Send Out Cards – An “offline autoresponder” that allows you to send real greeting cards in the mail to your affiliates (even with gift cards if you'd like). This is great for contests, rewards, or just a “we appreciate you” email to your top affiliates.

Have a wonderful day!

Nicole

“I *heart* my autoresponder”

Do you think that's too geeky?

I am a woman in love with my autoresponder and I want the world to know!

Ok, I'm joking a little. But all joking aside, an autoresponder is an invaluable tool. I know my business would suffer without mine.

What is an autoresponder?
An autoresponder is a business partner. It sends your messages out automatically easy as pie — whether you are at your computer or not.

Some examples:
* My newsletter gets delivered to you through my autoresponder.
* If you signed up for my ecourse, you received it through my autoresponder, automatically, whether I was at my computer or playing Whack-a-Mole at Chuck E Cheese.
* If you've ever ordered anything online, you probably received a confirmation email automatically through … you guessed it – an autoresponder.

If you are in Direct Sales, you might be wondering what this has to do with you. Well, my friend Annette wrote a great article that ran in last month's issue of the WC citing several ways to make your Direct Sales business more efficient and more effective by using an autoresponder.

You see, Annette is a busy lady.
She successfully runs her Direct Sales business. She homeschools. AND she does all the other important stuff that we WAHMs juggle every day. How's she do it? Well, I'll let her tell you about it in her article.
click HERE to read Annette's article
Her autoresponder even trained her downline and followed up with her leads while she was on a company cruise. You can't beat that!

If you own an online business not related to Direct Sales, your business could also benefit from an autoresponder. You can automate your contests, write ecourses, manage all your newsletters in one place (even family ones), follow-up with customers and more.

Here's a free trial for the autoresponder that I *heart* –
CLICK HERE to try the autoresponder I recommend If you sign up and have any questions, just let me know and I'll give you a hand.

So now you know why I love my autoresponder.

Speaking of love, I just posted a picture from my vow renewal this summer. See the post below.

Maybe I'll get a “I (heart) my hubby” bumper sticker instead.

Have a great day!
Nicole

PS. If you'd like to get more amazing articles like Annette's, then be sure to
subscribe to the WC here.

PPS. Stop by Annette's blog to sign up for her training and learn more about her business opportunity. She's a great lady!

There are several ways to set up passive or residual income streams.

Start a website – Set up your own money-maker. I've compiled some Web Hosting Site Reviews for my favorite hosting plans.

Join free affiliate programs for Work at Home Moms (WAHMs): There are many great affiliate programs out there selling anything from books to bras. You can make money by selling them on your website or blog.

Make your own products and get affiliates to sell for you:
If you're selling an electronic product (ebooks or audio product), I just found this great new marketplace to list your ebooks. Getyour free account now… http://www.showmomthemoney.com/paydotcom.htm

Set up an autoresponder, so your messages are going out whether you are home or not! (ecourses, staying in touch with past customers,your affiliates, or your team, getting repeat sales – all running at the same time, automatically)

And, of course, visit our Direct Sales Resource if you are in a Direct Sales business. Build your customer base and your team and you'll have residual income, too.

Are you making money when you are not working? If not, my challenge to you is to do one thing to get you on the road to making passive residual income today!

That's my thought for the day. I hope you have a fantastic week.
Nicole

PS. You are welcome to try the autoresponder that I love (30 days free): http://www.showmomthemoney.com/autoresponder.htm

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Need a chat room?
We now have chat rooms available free. Schedule your online chat today by emailing me. I'll set you up. No passwords required. Use the rooms for online parties, team meetings, training session, or family get-togethers!
The only rules are – Be kind, Be smart, Be safe and Have Fun!

Question #1 – How to get Customer Loyalty?
Question: I started my food business in September of last year. What has been hard for me is that everyone loves the products, BUT I just need to get them in the mood to buy regularly. I mailed out flyers and have sent e-mails but I did not get a huge response. I want to advertise and keep in touch with my clients but I do not want to be spending all my money on that with little to no return. I have some clients that use the products everyday and have made it part of their grocery lists, and some that only use them on special occasions. I need to get more of the first clients….
Read our expert's response.

Question #2 – How can I save time and make more money with my email efforts? How do I organize my team training materials? And, what IS an auto responder?
Question: How can I organize my training and emails to my team and customers? I'm spending too much time emailing and am not getting the results I need. Plus, I can't keep up with who's gotten what information. HELP!
Response from Nicole … You may not know it, but you can get automated follow up AND a mailing list combined in an Auto-Responder. I can't believe how easy it is to set up training courses for my teams with this program. Just add a bunch of emails starting with your “Welcome to (comany's name)” and tell the program how often to send the series of messages. Then, when you get a new recruit or customer, enter their information into the autoresponder and your recruit will receive the first message and automatically get the entire series in order without your having to do anything! And, a good auto-responder will check the messages to see if they'll be blocked by spam filters. Plus, it will allow you to send mass newsletters to your customer lists. No more juggling email lists. Never be accused of S P A M. I'll be moving this newsletter list over to auto-responder since it's made everything else in my life so much easier. I already have 5 mailing lists set up in my one autoresponder account and intend to move much more over there. You'll see what I have in store…

Try the free demo.
Less Work – More SalesSound good? AWeber's unlimited follow up autoresponders increase sales, lower costs, build lasting customer relationships, and increase your profits!Find out how with Unlimited Autoresponders.

F r e e Advertising Tips from WAHMs
From Suzanne Burgess, Owner/Webmaster, http://www.fairyannas.com/:
I started a business card exchange with some people I have met. We are sending each other business cards to enclose in our packages.That way when our customers receive their goodies they are also getting business cards from other work at home Moms and hopefully driving business to them.

From Donna K. Brown, http://bfree.momexecs.com/ :
I am a Christian, homeschooling mom. We check out numerous books at the library. While my children are reading the books they use my business cards as a book mark. When we return the books to the library we leave my business cards in the library books.
Submit your WAHM Tip and have it included here – and archived on ShowMomTheMoney.com

Referrals
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