7 Ways to Increase Your Website Traffic

7 Ways to Increase Your Website Traffic 

Dear Friend and Subscriber,

 

Pssst, hey you . . . yea you! Come over here. Want some traffic? Good high quality, money in the bank website traffic? I’ve got some ways you can get it! And you’ll soon be smilin’ all the way to the bank.

 

Give these a try. You’ll be glad you did! Oh, by the way these ideas are not ranked in any particular order. You may find that by combining them will produce even better results.

 

1. Blogging- Are you a blogger? If not, you should be. Why? For starters it can be a great way to get traffic to your website. The key to a successful blog is to create valuable content. Give your readers something they can chew on, i.e. something that makes their life simpler, more profitable, saves them time and/or money. You get the picture, right? If your posts contain value you’ll get other bloggers to give you link overs. And this turns into good quality traffic.

 

2. Promote. Yea, that’s what you have to do. The old “build it and they will visit” thing doesn’t always apply here. Although it can if you do it right. Many low cost ways to promote your website exist: Article submission, SEO optimization, PPC, publicity releases, even old fashion snail mail promotions.  

 

3. SEO tactics. Get used to writing for 2 “readers”—(1.) A real live human being and (2.). A computer. The key is using search engine terms that the various search engines like. It takes a little extra time but you can have the best of both worlds where your high value content that is appealing to both your prospects like and the search engines.

 

3. Pay Per Click. Yes, you can buy traffic (think Google ad words). Yahoo and MSN has there flavors of this also. The key to effective PPC advertising is to think Headlines and squeeze pages. Write your headlines; build your squeeze pages that captures the prospects’ email address. Pretty simple, huh?  Invest some time in Google Ads Words and you’ll be a pro in no time.

 

4. Write articles. I’ve been hinting quite a bit about writing. The key is to have a content rich website or blog. Most of your traffic will come as a result of writing something so you may as well get comfortable with it. If you cringe at the thought of having to write-well anything go find yourself some who does love to write. Invite others to submit their articles to your blog or website. You’ll want to develop writers’ guidelines and give suggestions of what you want submitted.

 

5. The human factor. Here’s another writing tip. Make your writing come alive by infusing some personality into it. A great way to do this is by pretending you are talking to a real person sitting across your desk. Make it as human as possible and you’ll soon find your writer’s voice.

 

6. Snail Mail Promotions. This is not as talked about as many of the online promo strategies but still can be effective nevertheless. Use a post card to promote a free report, video, or web cast. The word “Free” still has power if used to promote what your prospects really want.

 

7. The House List. This is one of the most overlooked, under utilized methods there is. And that is your existing customer file. So what are you waiting for? Send them to your website. You have invested good money (and probably lots of it) to get them to buy your stuff in the first place! So don’t let them down by NOT inviting them to see what’s new on your blog or website. Again create high quality content that will enrich their lives.

 

Want more? Well, just say so . . .

 

Emette Massey invites small business owners to receive a free special report Click Here to Get my FREE REPORT that show’s 9 remarkable ways to increase your sales and profits! 

 

http://emettemassey.weebly.com/

Direct Mail Follies . . . Or How To Get Maximum Response From Your Direct Mail

Howdy Friend,

If you use direct mail and ever felt frustrated by a ZERO or next to zero response, then this article is written for you!

There have been times where direct mail got a black eye or two. Mostly because folks gave up to soon, there message to market match was off or they used the wrong media. Quite frankly, it's not fair. It's not fair because direct mail is one of the best, most affordable marketing tool you can use to grow your biz.

The other truth is most small business owners just don't know how to skilfully use direct mail so they throw their hands up in the air in absolute disgust. I'm about to help you fix this. 

When you finish reading this article, poor response will soon be a thing of the past and you will be able to tackle and create a direct mail campaign like a pro.

So, are you up for the challenge? OK . . . let's go!

Direct Mail Basics

Let's start with the basics. What is direct mail? Direct mail is a means of targeting prospects by sending them an offer directly to their mail boxes.  Direct mail is a personal medium thus you are speaking to 'one' person even though you might be sending hundreds of thousands of letters to their mail boxes. 

In direct mail there are three main parts: 1) the product; 2) the list; and 3) the promotion. The product could be nearly anything that you are selling. This also includes services as well. Over the years I've successfully sold lots and lots of different items through the mail. . .  appliances, dirt bikes, cars, houses, informational products, professional services, contracting services . . . and many, many more. So I know that marketing goods and services through the mail works. And it will work for you too.

The power of a list. By list I'm talking about a mailing list. The very best list you could possess is your own list of happy customers and prospects. And if you don't have such a list you need to immediately begin to build one. If you don't have a list you can rent one from a mailing list broker.

Keep in mind: the better the list, the more chance for success. This list is everything. Some gurus will say the sales copy is everything . . . while that is true to certain point, the list trumps copy. Think of it this way, if you're sending your offer to the wrong prospects, then it will fall on deaf ears. No matter how good your copy writing skills are. 

Want to know what the very best list is? I've strongly hinted but it's worth saying again . . . The absolute best list you can use is your very own in-house list of happy customers. Need I say more?

So, what's in a direct mail package? A direct mail package consists of an outer envelope (the carrier envelope), a letter, and sometimes a business reply card or envelope. Depending upon the type of package it is, you'll sometimes find a brochure included too.

The Letter. There's no doubt that the letter is the workhorse of your direct mail package. Again, there's no  substitute for using the right list. It  can make or break the success of your mailing. But on the same note, never under estimate your letter either. The letter is the message you communicate to your prospect.

Tip: No matter what the medium, these secrets equally apply. In other words, if you learn the secrets of direct response marketing, you'll be able to apply them to print, radio, Internet or any other medium you choose!

How to get better results from your letters (and all of your advertising).

Talk directly to your reader. This will improve your advertising at least 50%.  Think of being in the same room with your prospect and having a causal, relaxed conversation. You telling her about some new cool widget you've just brought and you're excited about sharing it with her. Remember, your prospects don't care about you, your business or anything to do with you. All they care about is their needs, their wants, and their problems.

Be personal. As mentioned above, before you begin writing your next sales letter, close your eyes and visualize your prospect. Think about he conversation the two would have. Think about how you can help them fix their problems.

Write like you talk. Use words that are common to your prospect. Use simple words that can be easily understood. You want to "speak their language." If you have a choice between using a big fancy word and a common, simple word then by all means use the simple word. You job is to communicate not impress.

Prove it. Always include proof elements in your ad copy. We've all been burned at least once in our life. Think about the last time you felt cheated. It didn't feel good did it? And you swore you would never do business with that guy again! You can't trust anyone. So address this natural skepticism and provide strong proof to backup your claims. Proof can come from many sources including testimonials, statements that support your point from major publications like the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, etc.

Be specific. That's just good writing and makes for good reading. My mentor Clayton Makepeace says this, "Every generality n your text is a land mine. That will kill you." For example, instead of saying "you'll save money," tell your prospect exactly how much he'll save. Don't say "Buy today and save!" Say, "You'll save $79 by calling in the next 15 minutes."

Rules of the road. Know this my friend that the road is like a long serpentine filled with booby trap and surprises along the way. Be care, keep your open and your hands upon the wheel. Be open to learning and trying new marketing ideas. "Steal" what works from the best and be willing to fail and shrug it off. It's just part of the learning process. 

Warmly,

Emette E. Massey

P.S. Want more? Why not put your business in hyper drive by getting my FREE REPORT that shows 9 remarkable way to increase your sales and profits. Just click here to get it!




 
 

Confessions of a Frustrated Direct Response Marketer

Howdy Friend,

Can you believe it? I’m alive and still kickin’! I know that it’s been quite a while since you’ve seen anything new posted on this blog. Heck, it’s been a busy year and lots of stuff falls between the cracks of life.

Thank God, nothing really bad and lots of good stuff.

I’ll catch you up on a few items in the marketing world of Emette Massey.

Here’s what I’ve learned  . . . or should I say re-learned.

First and foremost: Know your market. Understand what’s paining your prospects and customers. You should be the answer to their problems. I’m embarrassed to admit that sometimes (for my anyway) the obvious isn’t so damn obvious.

Case in point. If you’re trying to sell golf products, go to where golfers tend to hang out. Not where stamp collectors hang out. It’s really pretty simple when you think about it.

Not sure to how to reach your market? Start with the Standard Rate and Data Service (SRDS). Get their Direct Marketing List Source. You can find tons of mailing lists available to suit nearly any savvy direct marketer.

Remember in direct marketing, your list IS your market. Take the time to research your marketplace. And if you use a list broker make sure he does his job and gets you the very list possible. After all, that’s what he’s paid to do.

For the past year or so, I’ve taken on a client who happens to be a good friend. We’ve been buds for a long, long time.

He’s got no marketing money, no concept or appreciation for direct response marketing and a small bit of ambition to grow his business. I’ve tried to “enlighten” him with proven, sound direct marketing advice.

To say that it’s frustrating would be an understatement. Nevertheless, I’ve not completely given up on him “seeing the light.”

Now for the record, my frustration is NOT aimed at my bud, the friend . . . it’s aimed at my bud, the marketer.

To be completely fair, he has implemented a few pieces of advice that I’ve suggested but otherwise it’s been pretty much a nightmare.

He fights me and complains about my using direct response “long copy” . . . that actually gains the prospect’s attention, addresses the prospect’s problems, offers a solution,   provides testimonials, and asks for the order (or some other action like call for a free quote, visit the store, etc.).

Rather he wants me to create short, useless image type advertising that doesn’t have a prayer of a chance for success.

Like so many biz owners, he’s been conditioned to believe Madison Avenue knows everything about advertising and is the greatest thing since white bread. Even worse, they believe that this type of advertising actually brings in sales.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

In case you don’t’ know what I mean about “Madison Avenue” basically it’s typically short, cute artsy ads featuring beautiful full color pictures and music playing in the background. Most of all, it’s a big damn waste of money for most businesses.

Oh my God . . . I could write a friggin’ book on this topic. But I hope you get the point.

But just in case you don’t get it . . .

Madison Avenue a.k.a. institutional advertising talks more about the company paying for the ad . . . how long they have been in business; how old they are; how many square foot they facility is and other foolishness.

Institutional advertising does not direct, compel the prospect, viewer, or listener to any buying decision.

By contrast, direct response advertising is designed to evoke an immediate action . . . to call, visit your store or website, or make a purchase.

Direct response advertising that, if done correctly, pays you rather than cost you. It’s traceable, so you know with scientific certainty if the ad produces results or not. It presents a complete case for your company, product or service.

Direct response advertising tells a complete sales story, presents all the facts, gives reasons why they should buy from you instead of the competitor, gives a money back guarantee and asks for the order . . . just like any good salesperson would do.

Certain basic marketing essentials are forever present in companies that use direct response in their marketing bag ‘or tricks . . . such as developing a backend service, understanding the concept of lifetime value of a customer.  . . . and on and on.

Remember this: Your customers, clients, or prospects do not care one single bit about your motives, your agenda, or what YOU want . . . all they care about is what benefit your product or service will give them.

Ok . . . that’s all for this edition. See you next time.

Peace,

Emette Massey

P.S. Here’s Your Prize for showing up . . . Click Here to Get my FREE REPORT that show’s 9 remarkable ways to increase your sales and profits!