Students Of Success

There are only two ways to make more sales with your Website. You can drive more visitors to the site using the latest traffic generating techniques or you can convert more of your existing visitors to customers which is known as “increasing the conversion rate”.

In this article I am going to show you how to increase the conversion rate (and profitability) of your web site by using Direct Response Techniques that have been around for many years. These methods do not rely on the temperamental search engines or the latest technology, they rely on something that never changes; Human Psychology.

Let’s say that you buy 1000 visitors to your site using a method such as pay per click and you are paying 20 cents per click. For those 1000 Visitors you would pay $200. Now let’s assume that you make $10 on each Sale. If you get 1 out of every 100 visitors to buy your products (1% Conversion Rate) you would make 10 Sales. You would make $100 in Gross Profit but you paid $200 for the visitors so you have as Net loss of $100!

But what if we can Increase the conversion Rate? What if we got 2 out of 100 customers to buy? Or 3 or 4 or 6? Well if you got a 2% Conversion rate you would get 20 Sales for a Gross Profit of $200 and a Net of “Break Even” If You got a 3% Conversion Rate you would Net $100, 4% would net you $200 and 6% would net you $400 .. all with the same amount of traffic!

Here are 5 Elements that will make your web site more profitable by increasing the conversion rate

1 - A Powerful and Gripping Headline

The Headline is without a doubt the most important part of any ad, sales letter or website. From the time a visitor get to your web site you have 7 Seconds to grab their attention before losing them forever. The best way to think of your headline is . “The Ad for Your Ad” . If your headline connects with the prospect they will read further . if not they will click away into cyberspace .. Never to be heard from again!

If you get nothing else out of this entire article make sure your site has a powerful and compelling headline. I go a lot into developing powerful headlines in my newsletter so feel free to subscribe to it on my website. A free tool for developing powerful attention grabbing headlines can be found at http://www.FreeHeadlineCreator.com

2 -Compelling Copy

The job of the headline is to stop your prospect in their tracks and get their attention; it’s the job of your copy to keep them interested and make the sale. Great copy will engage the prospect, get their interest, touch their hot buttons, and ask for the sale. A top notch copywriter may charge $10,000 or more to write a sales letter for your website, and they are well worth it . If you can’t afford $10,000 for a Sales Letter I might be able to help you..

Good Copy uses the AIDA formula

A - Attention (Get the prospects Attention, with a great headline!)
I - Interest (Get their interest with some great Copy)
D - Desire (Whip them up into as frenzy so that they DESIRE your product)
A - Action (Ask for the Sale!)

3 - Testimonials

There’s a phenomenon known as “Social Proof” which basically means “If it’s good enough for him its good for me”! By having testimonials on your website it shows your prospect that he is making a good decision to buy your product because “Everybody else is doing it” Testimonials are very powerful, the more the better!

When giving Testimonials the more details the better:

Bad Testimonial: “I loved the Product” J.R, Texas

Good Testimonial: “This Product is great!, I Lost 21 pounds in 30 days and I have a lot more energy” John Roberts, Police Officer, Houston Texas

4 - Defined Course of Action

You should have a course of action that you want to lead you prospect to … either to buy something, opt-in to your list or whatever . If you have a bunch of distracting links such as “About Us” , Our Staff” etc your just going to distract the prospect from your real purpose which is to get him to purchase your product or opt in to you list!

5- The Fortune is in The Follow-up!

No matter what you do it’s more likely than not that your prospect will not be in a “buying mood” when they come to your website. The worst thing that you can do is let them leave without even knowing that they have been there. Even if they don’t buy anything immediately you want to capture their information for later follow-up.

The best way to do that is to have them fill out a form that takes their information and puts it in an auto-responder. Once you have the information the auto-responder will do all the follow-up work for you automatically. This will free you up to do other things . like going to the bank to deposit money!

In order to induce your prospect to leave their information you will have to offer them something; it could be a free subscription to your newsletter, a free report or a free e- course. It must be something of value and it should have the same theme as your website.

For example, If you have a site that caters to dog owners you could offer a 7 part course on how to Groom your dog. You could set up 7 Lessons in advance and put them in your auto-responder. The auto responder I use is Aweber Systems. I have been using them for years and have been very happy with them. At the time I am writing this they have a Special where you can try the system risk free for 30 days, their web site is http://freetrial.aweber.com

I hope you enjoyed this article and put it to good use converting those visitors to cold hard cash
Copyright © Jack Bastide All rights Reserved

Jack Bastide specializes in helping you get more business! You can call him at 800-59-JACKB or visit http://www.JackBastide.com For more free marketing tips and tools http://www.JacksWebTips.com

It’s hard to find good help and especially if your planning to market your home or you have just purchased one that needs some updating. Complaints about home improvement contractors rank high on consumer agency lists. Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home offers do’s and don’ts for home buyers and sellers when planning to hire an outside contractor to repair or renovate their home.

Do’s

-Verify their insurance. Ask to see copies of liability insurance and amounts before signing a contract.

-Ask for references. Request a list of references from past and current clients. Call and discuss with them the pluses and minus’ of the contractor. Take the time to visit homes where work was done, check for timeliness and attention to detail on work sites.

-Request information on suppliers and subcontractors. Contractors are only as good as their support system. Vendors and subcontractors can share insight into the business practices of your potential contractor.

-Check with local Better Business Bureaus and with local building and planning officials. Most likely you’ll need building permits and certificates of occupancy from the local office that regulates renovation and building. These officials should be familiar with you contractor and their work.

-Get at least 3 estimates. You will be surprised at how different the costs can be for the same work. Have plans and specifications in writing to deliver to contractors who bid on work. A flat fee for a project is more cost effective than time and materials. Detail materials, paint colors by brand, appliance make and model and warranties.

-Draft a complete contract. Make sure it lays out who is doing what, when it should be done by and what happens if it is not done to your satisfaction. Include payment schedules and how changes to plans will affect costs and the contract. Options should be listed separate from the main contract.

-Address refusal to complete work. It’s not likely that your contractor will refuse to complete work or abandon the project, but it pays to include a course of action if these situations arise in any contract.

-On occasion provide food treats and beverages. On hot and humid summer days or below freezing winter ones, make the effort to provide chilled bottled water, steaming coffee and a quick pick-me-up to contractors.

-Be appreciative verbally. After a rough or long day at your home, I have found it always pays to let contractors know that you appreciate their extra efforts. Staying late to complete the plumbing to get a toilet running or leaving the job site broom clean without asking is worth a hearty thank-you.

Dont’s

-Ignore making scheduled payments on time. A sure bet to get slow follow-through from contractors. If the contractor is performing as stated in the contract, so should you.

-Forget patience. Delays by cabinet or door manufactures can be out of the contractors control. Don’t be afraid to double-check though if they have been ordered to meet job lead times.

-Make the contractor guess what you want. Start a clip file before you have a contractor over to review job. Pick up some home magazines and tear out colors, finishes, appliances and overall looks for a room that you like. Develop a list of dislikes, anything helps to eliminate and communicate your thoughts.

-Be cheap. Good work costs sometimes comes at a higher price. And buyers know chintzy materials and craftsmanship. Don’t nickel and dime your contractor, and pay for all change orders you request.

-Be unavailable for contractor questions. There are always a couple of items that sneak past the drawings and specifications or surprises that you run into in an older home. Make al your contact information to your contractor so if they need to reach you to make a decision that if you don’t could hold the job up.

-Forget that we don’t live in a perfect world. It’s difficult to have strangers in our homes and even more so when the inconvenience of a remodeling job interrupts our personal refuge. Contractors like to complete work in a timely manner, but they don’t control all the remodeling moons to align them perfectly on every project.

Mark Nash’s fourth real estate book, “1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home” (2005), and working as a real estate broker in Chicago are the foundation for his consumer-centric real estate perspective which has been featured on ABC-TV, CBS The Early Show, Bloomberg TV, CNN-TV, Chicago Sun Times & Tribune, Fidelity Investor’s Weekly, Dow Jones Market Watch, HGTVpro.com, MSNBC.com, The New York Times, Realty Times, Universal Press Syndicate and USA Today.

Most of us dream. But only a very small percentage of us understands that dreams hold much importance and opportunity for our self growth, improvement and self discovery. But many mystics of both Eastern and Western origins are aware of the fact that dreams hold a wealth of untapped knowledge. Because of its inherently vague nature, dreams and the art of interpreting them never entered mainstream sciences. Jungian psychology is the closest mainstream science that took dreams seriously.

This article is a concise description of the method of dream interpretation that I use. There are several points/guidelines to take note.

1. The dreams are often symbolic representations of what we are experiencing or are about to experience in the near future. I have found that my dreams often convey messages of occurrences that will most likely happen within a month or so.

2. Usually the people that we encounter in the dream symbolize the different aspects/characteristics of ourselves. For example: a woman may represent a feminine aspect of oneself even when one is male in the waking hours. Much of our repressed tendencies also tend to manifest themselves as characters in dreams as well.

Have you ever wondered why we sometimes appear and behave so differently in our dreams. Well, my take is that dreaming offers an outlet for us to be ’somebody else’ that we never had the opportunity to be during our waking hours.

3. Often how we feel and the emotion we felt during the dream reveals and conveys much about the meaning of the symbols.

Intuition and the willingness to examine ourselves with brutal honesty are two very important factors for successful analysis.

Below is a list of commonly encountered symbols. In my opinion, we should always take into consideration the fact that symbols hold certain semantics and meanings that are specific to individuals. Thus the interpretations of symbols are not generic and therefore there can be no hard and fast rules with regards to dream analysis.

Common dream symbolism

Water- associated with emotion.

Ocean or any large body of water - often represents the subconscious mind. The state of the sea often is an indication of the emotional state as well

Eating/digesting- Trying to understand an issue/situation

Walking- associated with learning and assimilating.

Path, road or pavement- symbolises life or spiritual Path/journey

House- symbolises our self. Within the house, the various rooms could represent the various aspects of self.

Snake- symbolises knowledge.

Tree and forest - subconscious feelings that governs our emotions

Bridge- a transitional phase or period of transformation / change

Below is an example of a dream and its interpretation.

Dream

Miss A was visiting a foreign country. She boarded a train that has a stop in a shopping complex that meanders through mountains and terrains. She remembered telling the train driver that she wanted to alight in the shopping centre so that she can find her way home.

Instead of alighting at the intended destination, she alighted at a strange place. She had difficulty getting to her destination. She contacted her partner (boyfriend). Though they communicated through the phone, she was still stuck and lost in that unfamiliar place. By this time, she was starting to get depressed. In the moment of depression, she woke up from the dream.

Symbolism involved

Foreign country- unknown knowledge, new experience
Train- accelerated learning and understanding
Through mountains and terrains- ups and downs
Find the way home- spiritual path
Train-in-charge - guiding aspect
Her partner - male/ mental aspect
Queen shopping center station - an intermediate stage that must be attained.

Interpretation

Miss A is currently experiencing and/or learning something that is still unknown to her. It is something that is rather difficult for her to grasp and apply. She is/will be experiencing some feelings of ups and downs. However, if understood, the newfound understanding and knowledge could significantly accelerate her self-growth and discovery. However, for the time being, it is something not within her experience yet (as symbolized by alighting at a strange place instead of the designated station). When she tried contacting her male partner (which symbolizes using her mental reasoning), she was still confused and thus became depressed.

Well, that’s all for a quick lesson in dream interpretation. I hope it is informative and beneficial.

Happy Dreaming…

The author is a guy living in the Far
East. He runs a self-growth resource site at
http://www.dreamdatum.com

You may have so many requirements which you cannot fulfill with your own source of income. So very often you need to borrow money for this reason or that. Now, it may be like that already you have some other loans to pay and it has become inevitable to make an improvement of your house.

It is not possible fir you to afford the fund you need to make the renovation of your house. So you need a loan. But already you have a burden of paying heavy interest. So this time you are looking for loan with as much less interest as possible. Alright, the option you are looking for is low cost home improvement loan.

A low cost home improvement loan, as suggested by the name, carries a low rate of interest. So you can do away with the burden of paying high interest. In addition to that it will provide you with a small monthly repayment and flexibility in the repayment terms.

Your chance of getting the loan will be higher if you can offer collateral. You may have to run the risk of keeping your property at stake. But you can enjoy some benefits also which are worth the risk you undertake. If you do not have collateral to offer then also you can avail a low rate home improvement loan.

Similarly your bad credit record will also not create a big problem on your way to get the loan you are looking for. It is true that there are lenders in the market who either do not offer loan to people with bad credit record or charge a high rate of interest.

But rising competition in the loan market led to the emergence of such lenders who do not bother the bad credit record of a person. It will not be so difficult to find out such lenders. They are available among the online lenders in good number.

You can not only find out the loan you are looking for through the online lenders but also can avail the loan in a quick and hassle free manner.

Author:
The author is a business writer specializing in finance and credit products and has written authoritative articles on the finance industry. He has done his masters in Business administration and is currently assisting unsecured-home-improvement-loans as a finance specialist.
For more information please visit: http://www.unsecured-home-improvement-loans.co.uk

The rainy day made for a wonderful chance for the three of us to finally spend some quiet time together. Faith and Elissa climbed into my bed and snuggled up to me, at the same time taking all but a corner of my blanket from my prying hands. It was only 9:00, who wakes up this early, especially in the summer time? I slowly opened my eyes, and suddenly it hit me. My girls were here, here in my home. In our home! Finally, I had my babies, only they weren’t babies anymore.
My wife was no longer part of our lives. She had long since lost control of her life. Her drug addiction had seen to that. I pray for her every night, that she might surrender and seek help, but it was out of my control. If and when, she decides to ask for help, I will be the first one there for her.
So now, I was all my angels had, as far as someone to care for them, nurture them, and provide for them as they deserved.
A man could never understand how much time and energy goes into being a mother. I for one, never thought it to be such a big job, afterall I was the one out there everyday working a job I hated and putting the food on the table, as well as paying all the bills. That was how I thought before. I now a new respect for motherhood and it seemed to me at the time that I was way over my head.
At that time, the girls were preparing to start at a new school. Elissa was starting kindergarten and she needed uniforms for school. So off we went on our first shopping excursion. Three hours and 2 advils later, we finally made it back home.
It was getting close to dinner and I decided to take the easy way out and go thru the fast food window, which seemed to please them just fine. And then it started to get a little tricky. Do they take showers? Do they take baths. Do they bathe together.
As the weeks passed by, I began to understand their needs, as well as their schedules. I was on my way. I was beginning to make the journey towards motherhood. I cooked them dinner, dressed them for school, drove them to soccer practice, and yes, believe it or not, I even joined the p.t.a, along with the other mothers.
Two years have passed, the children have become little ladies. They are helping me in so many ways. I understand my role as a father and I have learned that i can never replace the special relationship a young girl has with her mother. I have no control over that and I accept it. I can only do what ever it takes to be the best parent possible for my girls. God knows, I love them more than life itself, and we shall all live happily ever after. God Bless our children.

About the Author

Jay Bartels Is a single work at home dad bringing up two lovely daughters, Faith, who is 11, and Elissa who is 7. The 3 of them live in Boca Raton, Florida and are quite inseperable.

Have you ever sat and watch a child struggle with a blank page? Have you ever wondered why some children just seem to detest anything to do with writing? Have you seem them just give up in frustration and walk away angry and distraught? Well you are not alone. Every one possesses the capability to write stories, plays, poems or journal writings. There is something that belongs to you and nobody else - something that you can always keep a secret. There is something so special that it is priceless, and yet it costs you nothing. This is something that can never be taken away from you, but is yours to share with as many people as you choose. This is something you can keep for a lifetime and use anytime. Do you know what it is? Do you give up? This is your imagination.

Poets and artisans of ancient Greece attributed their inspiration to playful whispers from Muses. Eventually, they recognized the mystic murmurings to be their own imaginations. Einstein claimed that imagination was more important than knowledge. Knowledge was limited, he said, whereas imagination could “embrace the entire world stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”

As co-author/facilitator of a literacy program in Ontario, ‘The Muse Program’ Debbie has had a unique opportunity to observe children at work and see the methods that work best. The hesitation comes for some as they sit facing a blank page. Even with a vivid imagination, without the tools to utilize it, it becomes a stumbling block for many children.

Debbie has peppered her books with practical questions easily understood by children of any background. Their answers to those leading questions will provide a strong basis for a story. There is a broad comfort zone, because she leads them through familiar territory so that they can write about what they know best.

Using techniques she has developed with her own children to stretch their imaginations and her artistic background, she is able to conjure up images in their minds that are more easily transformed into words on that intimidating blank page.

The first in the series, ‘Short Stories with Imagination’ is designed to encourage the use of imagination and to help foster a child’s self-image, opening up a whole new world to explore. Based on real-life childhood memories, these stories promote the idea that anything is possible. With a little help from our imaginations, an ordinary day can become one filled with adventure - sailing with pirates, running a race, or experiencing the thrill of a plane ride for the first time.

‘Storybuilding with Imagination’, the second in the Imagination Series, uses the proven techniques Debbie has developed and helps walk the child through the general principals of story writing. Following her lead helps the child untangle the confusing trail of mazes, and feel the pride of a job well done. ‘Storybuilding with Imagination’ is written simply, visually and interactively, so that children can follow along, regardless of reading and writing capabilities.

Kid’s Writing Place could be called an Internet learning room where children are mused and/or become the muse to others, helping to spark children’s imaginations and promote writing skills. Encouraging the use of imagination helps a child build strength and courage, thus fostering a child’s self-image. At Kid’s Writing Place, children that are intimidated by that blank page can come and get story beginning ideas, or those that are full of ideas but just can’t seem to finish the ending can get help with their ideas. Those that are well on their way to becoming the next generation of authors can have their work read and critiqued by others. This not only enhances skill improvement but promotes interaction between others.

The goals of Kid’s Writing Place are to Foster Literacy through the Imagination. This is achieved through the interaction, cooperation and brainstorming of the children working together and learning how to build on their ideas. This on-line forum was inspired by a writer’s fascination with the ability to motivate the creative process within children using their imagination. Visit www.designsbydebbie.ca/kidswritingplace and join in the fun of letting your own imagination soar and be amazed at the places that it can take you.

“The kids of today are our future”, says Designs by Debbie founder, “I believe that we are all capable of helping to improve our children’s futures, starting with their own imaginations.”

Debbie is co-author of ‘The Muse Program’ a literacy program for children. Musing children has been a life-time goal of Debbie’s, helping children reach their full potenital - http://www.designsbydebbie.ca.

For additional information contact:
Debbie Long
debbie@designsbydebbie.ca