Industrial Marketing on the Internet: Leveling the Playing Field

Remember when the Internet was free? Small and large companies alike had the same chance of their web sites being found on the Internet. The playing field was level; money had no influence on search engine results. Over time capitalism crept in and search engines tried to find a way to become profitable, charging for favorable positioning in the form of ads or charging a fee for inclusion in their database.

Hitting your target audience Most major search engines attempt to index sites on every topic imaginable. Each time a user performs a search the engine relies on a ranking system to determine which sites have more relevancy and quality. Both relevancy and quality are important issues. Typically, the broader the search engine, the less relevant the search results will be. The search results pages tend to be cluttered with sites that have nothing to do with industry. They are also diluted with directories, trade publications, and associations that are able to maintain high rankings due to the massive size of their sites and linking schemes.

What about industrial directories? These directories do not operate like true search engines. A search engine can deliver results with one click of the mouse. Directories require the user to repeatedly select from a list of headings until arriving at the desired results page. Even if they have a search feature, it brings up a “sampling” of sites from various categories and the user then has to drill-down to find the complete listing of sites in the appropriate category. This usually means multiple steps for the user that can be both frustrating and a waste of time.

On top of the multiple-click issue, Industrial directories usually charge for representation in their database and sell preferred positioning or advertising at great expense. This means that many companies have to pick and choose the directories they can afford thus limiting the overall size of their database to those who can afford a listing.

Targeted advertising everyone can afford A new search engine has just arrived dedicated to serving only the industrial community: Industry2Industry.com. This is a free-to-list search engine specifically for industrial companies that provide products and services. By filtering out the non-industrial providers, directories, trade publications, and associations from the main search results, Industry2Industry.com delivers quality search results for industrial buyers. The results are not influenced by money; hence it is a level playing field for all companies in the database.

Industry2Industry.com offers industrial buyers a relevant platform to search for quality goods while providing an advertising medium free-of-charge for all industrial companies. Removing listing fees provides buyers with a more complete database and gives all industrial companies an opportunity to be represented, not just those with large budgets. In addition, the “recommend this vendor” feature and the rating system affords industrial buyers the opportunity to voice their satisfaction with specific companies. These tools provide buyers with valuable information when specifying products and gives valuable feedback to the site owner.

Managing your message With most search engines, the site owner cannot really control the message shown when his site is selected for a search query. The description under the title of the selected link may or may not come directly from his site or his meta description tag (a tag most site owners use to state what their page is about). With directories, the site owner may get a chance once-a-year or so to update his listings’ description, if at all. At Industry2Industry.com, however, a site owner can log into his site’s listing at any time and update the title and description displayed to users. It’s by controlling this information that the site owner can influence the terms that his site will appear in a search result. It is to the benefit of the site owner to enter specific and accurate terms that will bring buyers to his site. Industry2Industry.com recognizes that industrial site owners want relevant traffic and trust their judgment as to how to achieve that goal with the proper title and description. Unlike some Internet media that forbids the use of superlatives, at Industry2Industry.com there are no limits on how a site owner may describe his site except in the number of characters allotted for this purpose.

As a professional Internet marketer that specializes in promoting industrial websites on the Internet, we feel that Industry2Industry.com is a great way to get your site more exposure and a valuable tool for the Industrial buying community.

May 8th, 2009

Photographers Worldwide Unite to form their own Royalty Free Stock Photography Library

color="#666666" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> United
Independent Photographers from around the world unite to
form an affordable Royalty Free and Rights Managed Stock
Photography Library.

I and the library don’t take a penny or any commission from
sales. The payments go directly to the photographer, I get a
larger viewership as there’s more to see and hopefully broaden
my chances of actually selling some of my own photos!

I was sick of paying $200 for an image from stock
photo libraries and then as I went through the online form and
entering where the image was to be used and how many issues were
to be printed, the price soar to $1,500 or more!

20-40 images (40% discount): $46.00 / £24.00 /
€35.00 pi

The majority of stock photos are taken using slide /
positive film but where digital cameras have been used, only the
highest quality digital images have been accepted.

which is higher than the industry standard requirement of
300dpi but means that these images are crystal clear if used as
a front cover of a glossy magazine.

There’s also a second option for web designers or
for those with low budgets so low they can’t even afford our low
rates, subscibing to our service for a low monthly or annual
rate and downloading almost an indefinite number of medium res’
photos high enough res’ to be used on printed material if
reduced in physical size but easily high enough res’ to be used
for in-house posters or on web pages.

I set out to provide excellent quality stock
photography at a very low and affordable price that would enable
graphic designers, web site designers, art directors, picture
desks and anybody else, to stretch their budgets further and not
choke every time they ordered a photograph from an stock
photography library…. I hope I have accomplished this in some
small way.

Anybody wishing to purchase our images can visit us
at the websites above and any keen photographers with quality
work wishing to submit their work can also find a
submissions page with further information on our website
also.

May 8th, 2009

Building Web Content for Your Site

Writers and editors have to maximize their markets if they want to survive. Freelancing is never easy, but it can get a lot more profitable if you think about including web content in your repertoire.

There are something like 36 million web sites out there, and that means there are a lot of people looking for good content. Whether your area of expertise is agriculture or Aquaman, there’s a site out there looking for just what you do.

If you are new to writing web content, it’s a good idea to get a copy of Developing Online Content: The Principles of Writing and Editing for the Web. The web is a lot looser in style than most reports or articles, and this book provides all the best practices for writing, editing, organizing and delivering effective web content. This book will also give you the inside scoop on what production managers, web designers and marketing specialists are looking for, and that can make you a lot of money!

Another area to consider, if you’re looking to sell your content online, includes white papers. For those who don’t know what that means, white papers are a lot how they sound — informational reports or how-to’s that appear on white paper and are easily downloadable from web sites. Internet marketing guru Perry Marshall has a free mini course on how to write a white paper. This, and all his products are really helpful in getting you to think about marketing your writing.

Ebooks are another great way to sell your content online. Many people are looking for products they can give away to their email subscribers as incentives, or to sell outright. These are usually very informational, and explain to the buyer how to do something, or do it better, such as how to perfect a baseball swing, how to make an eight-course dinner, or how to speak in public. Adobe Acrobat is crucial to turning your words into sellable ebooks. Get the software here, which comes with a free tutorial on how to format ebooks.

If the ideas aren’t flowing, and you’re not sure how to get started creating web content, ebooks or other sellable products, check out Marlon Sanders Creating Your Own Products. Marlon is amazing, and I don’t use that word lightly. He’s been around Internet marketing for over a decade, and his stuff is always packed with useable information that can make you serious money. No one’s gonna make it any easier for you, so ignore this at your peril! He’s even got a seven-part email course that teaches you how to create products people will be tripping over themselves to buy from you.

Because we all like a little attention sometimes, right?

Copyright 2006 GrammarGods.com

May 4th, 2009

What to Do When You Finish Scribbling or: “What’s an Editor For?”

Let’s take a look at both sides of the war that is prose. In one corner we have the Beleaguered Writer who has poured sweat, blood, and other agonies of creation onto the page and has thus wrought out of the raw material of life something Great (we hope). In the other corner we have the Bespectacled Editor whose wisdom and experience (and pride) knows no bounds, the very smallest movements of whose red pen cause trembling on the part of the opponent. But no, it isn’t all that bad! It’s collaboration, after all. We all want the best for this piece of writing, and surely we two rational people can come to an agreeable understanding in the name of that cause. And we do. Usually. When we don’t, it’s often because either

(a) the editor is a shameless tinkerer without regard for the authorial Voice or

(b) the writer is hapless.

“Hapless” is a word not used often enough these days, and so I use it here in honor of those writers whose work needs more than the usual trimming down and sprucing up, whose prose needs not a light dusting but a rather heavy buffing, preferably with industrial equipment that moves easily on wheels.

Terribly Important Advice to Writers and Editors
In the case of (a), the writer must gird himself with the warrior’s courage that allowed him to write the work in question in the first place, and defend it against editorial violation. One must be fierce. Polite, but fierce. It may help to remember that this poor editor is probably a writer as well (or was once, back when giant lizards roamed the earth, and now, instead of answering the longing to return to her own work, has begun fiddling with yours until–alas–she is Making Stuff Up rather than Editing. Be firm, but kind. Conversely, if you are the editor, and a writer suddenly rises up in your path with bear-like ferocity, do not make any sudden moves. Holster
your red pen and slowly back away from the manuscript.

In the case of (b) the writer has two choices: to find a wonderful ghostwriter and be exceedingly nice to her, or humbly accept the obvious. Unfortunately, the obvious is not readily evident to everyone. If you are the editor working with a hapless writer, it is best to be patient and kind. The writer may discover that writing is not his strong suit, oralas again–attempt to blame your ineptitude for his syntactical errors. There is no cure for this malady but humility, and not everyone enjoys the good fortune of wisdom and humility in great abundance. And so, as my favorite aunt always said, we must be charitable.

Imagine This, Writers!
Your writing has returned covered with commentary and besieged with suggestions. Do you weep? Wring your hands and feet? Or calmly walk into the sea? No, none of the above! You examine the evidence, and consider the source. Be circumspect as only the author of Your Original Work can be. Ask one question only, and then give yourself at least a week to answer it: “Will this change better serve the reader?” Yep. That’s what it’s all about (that and the Hokey Pokey).

Ceci Miller is the author of Sacred Visitations: Gifts of Grace that Transform the Heart and Awaken the Soul, endorsed by Chicken Soup Author Marci Shimoff, Mars/Venus author John Gray, and bestselling author John Bradshaw. The book’s touching, often magical, stories guide readers beyond mere memoir into the profoundly personal world of their own sacred experiences. Ceci’s workshops teach the 5 Steps of Sacred Awareness. A student of meditation since 1976, Ceci’s heartfelt stories of spiritual experience and contemplation–shared in articles, books, and public talks–have inspired meditators and seekers throughout the world. She is the author of two children’s books and has co-authored and edited numerous books for adults. To hear Ceci read an excerpt from Sacred Visitations, or to hear her interviews with people about their spiritual experiences on the Sacred Visitations Podcast, go to http://www.sacredvisitations.com/

May 3rd, 2009

Top Online Article Author Stat; Can You Beat That?

On the top online article submission website on the Internet we seem to have the top three most prolific writers on the Internet. In fact in all the research I can come up with it appears that we have the top online article writer in the history of the Internet, as well as the second two. Now then let us look at these authors for a moment and compare what they have been doing online and take a look at their very hard to beat stats.

You see when comparing stats we much be careful that we compare apples and oranges. For instance the top online article author in the World has written 6500 articles and done so in 15.2 months and has an average article view of 265, with over 1,685,000 total article views.

Now let’s look at another author; Carrie Reeder has more average article views with 410, but also considers she has stopped for two months before she resumes again. This means that her new articles are not competing against her old articles for article views.

Next let us look at 10-Internet Businessman; Mr. Michael Russell, who has increased his article posts to 500 plus per month recently and this month is on pace to break 800 articles for June 2006. Now then because he has a large percentage of his total articles, which are new, without time to grow, his average article view is less than the other two, yet he is a fast mover and is now the second most prolific online article writer that is known anywhere on the Internet.

Yet, judging by his titles and careful chosen subjects he is in fact using the system to the best of its purpose and he has indeed figured out the game. Clearly Michael Russell is a strong player in the Online Article Sector. Consider all this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

May 3rd, 2009

Use the Hero’s Journey Structure for Step-outlines, Treatments and Story Development

[From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk and our isolation and identification of more than 188 stages of the Hero's Journey that you need to know about...]

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

The Hero’s Capabilities [extract]

Once we meet the hero, we learn of his capabilities. Often hero’s have supernatural abilities, which in the modern day translates into them being exceptional at something.

In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is excellent at his job – which we know by the way he sensitively handles the load he is lifting at work.

In Gladiator (2000), we discover that Maximus is an excellent swordsman in battle.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

May 2nd, 2009

Tackling New Writing Projects

From time to time an opportunity to take on new assignments comes forward. In actuality, I am asked on a regular basis to accept various projects, but I generally turn them down especially if I am in the midst of a long term assignment as I have been for most of this calendar year.

Still, it is kind of nice to be wanted [smile] and there are times when a project is small enough and interesting enough to bid on. Just recently, I accepted two new assignments and one of them has already been completed and forwarded to the client. I might add that my new customer was delighted with my work and will be using me again shortly.

I have created a certain rhythm that has helped me successfully complete assignments fast and accurately. First of all, if there is any area that is unclear concerning the accepted assignment, I always contact the client to ask additional questions before beginning to write. What I have learned to ask will vary, but generally this will include the following questions: What is the target audience for a particular article? Is there a certain keyword that needs to be emphasized? Do you require paragraph headers? Do you need an introductory paragraph?

Second of all, I write out a rough outline featuring the following: a topic sentence, 3-4 bulleted points for the body of the article, and a concluding sentence. I don’t always write this information down on paper; depending on just how familiar the topic is to me, I can have these points “written out” in my head. I simply “flesh out” each point as I go along.

Finally, once I have written the article I reread it to make whatever changes are necessary. Then, I put the article to the side and go to my next article. Later, when my mind is fresh I return to the original article and make whatever additional changes that I feel may be needed.

Typically, this pattern has worked extremely well for me. Rarely do I have to rewrite anything that I submit to a customer as I have found that by taking time and separating the writing and editing segments works wonders for me. I like the rhythm that I have created as it is a beat that flows nicely for me and has been warmly welcomed by my clients, new and old.

Copyright 2006 - For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.

April 30th, 2009

Better Speaking By Using the Follow Through

Have you ever played golf? or tennis? or baseball? Any body who has played a sport that involves a swing, has heard of the importance of the follow through. Basically you can’t swing part way. You have to keep going.

A similar idea can help you improve your public speaking ability. Most people make too much use of so called “filler words” when they speak. These words can include “um,” “like,” “so” and many others. Really it includes any word that does not have a specific job to do in your speech.

Why do we use such words? Its quite simple really. Such words creep into our speech when we are trying to think of what it is we were going to say.

This is where the concept of the follow through comes in handy! I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Nobody knows what word you meant to use. Its not the specific word you had in mind that is important. What matters is getting your message across! Practice trying to spot when you are struggling to remember a word. The pause you create at this instant, is where filler words creep in. Filler words cut into the creditability of your presentation.

So once you can spot yourself searching for a word, in the middle of your speech try this. Use any word that can get the job done. Keep your speech going at its natural pace. In other words follow through. Since nobody knows the word you meant to use, make your message the important thing, and keep going. Most words have synonyms, use them! Granted the word you had in mind may be perfect for what you are trying to say. However filler words tend to be distracting. They make you look unprepared, and unprofessional. Don’t fall too much in love with your own words. Like I said before, the message is what matters. The increased fluidity, and creditability in your speech will more than make up for the substitution of words.

So remember, don’t get hung up on your own words. If you start to struggle use any word that will get the job done. Think of the follow through, and keep your speech moving.

Robert A. Crutchfield is president of Kingdom Relationship Ministries. He is a minister, public speaker, and success/ relationships coach. He holds the Competent leader Award from Toastmasters International, and is a Brainbench Certified Trainer. Visit him at http://www.kingdomrelationships.org

April 24th, 2009

Article Writing: Can It Help My Online Store?

Question: My online store can’t make money unless I get traffic, but I can’t afford to keep buying advertising. What can I do? I feel so discouraged.

Signed, Lonely in my Store

Dear Lonely in my Store,
First of all, you are NOT doing anything wrong. Online businesses take time and can get frustrating, especially in the first year.

If your online store is lonely, and you’re watching the dust balls collect, waiting for traffic to come and buy, it’s easy to get discouraged. As soon as the advertising ends, so does your traffic – if you’re even getting any results from your advertising at all.

What if you could get visitors to your website – free? And, not only that, but the visitors keep coming for years? One of the best methods of generating traffic to your website is by writing and sharing articles. This is not ‘get rich quick’ and it’s not a scam. It’s just plain old fashioned marketing with a twist.

Now, even if you aren’t a writer, you can use this method of getting traffic. It doesn’t take a degree in Literature to succeed in article marketing. All it takes is a little time and energy. If you have that – you can get traffic to your website.

So, how does it work? Well, it’s working right now. Look at the bottom of this article and you’ll see … me. I didn’t pay for this advertising, but you’ll see a link to my website right there, plain as day, just for writing and sharing this article with website publishers.

It’s actually quite simple, and it is underused, especially in work at home mom businesses.

All you need to do is write a short, simple, helpful article about something related to your online store. If you sell makeup, then write an article about how to choose a foundation color, or how to care for your skin during the winter. Then, after you’ve written your article, you submit it to the article directories.

Article directories are libraries of free articles. They are collections of articles that website and blog owners can use on their sites for free. The only stipulation is that everyone who publishes your article must include your author bio at the end which is where you include your website URL and some fascinating information about your wonderful online store.

So, now that you see how simple this free method of generating traffic is, I hope you give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose and much to gain.

Nicole Dean doesn’t pay for advertising – ever. Sign up for her free web traffic course at http://www.WebTrafficBasics.com to find out more. If you’re ready to get started using article marketing to increase your traffic and sales, check out http://www.EasyArticleMarketing.com

April 24th, 2009

Practice Your Presentations — Four Suggestions of Ways to Do It

I always stress the importance of “practice, practice, practice.” But, where do I find places to practice?” Good question. Some start by practicing in front of a mirror, but I have always found this to be unsettling and not at all the same as speaking to a group. So, I suggest speaking to a live audience and in this article, I share where to find some live audiences while you are perfecting your presentation skills.

Join a Toastmasters International Club. Attend and take part regularly. Toastmasters’ groups across the world have given members a chance to become excellent and comfortable speakers. You receive a well written manual to work from, positive reinforcement from the group, and a chance to speak in one capacity or another every week. I found the people involved to be some of the finest people I’ve ever met — always willing to help each other improve. There are leadership clubs for the advanced speaker and opportunities to present at conferences (see the next section).

Propose a workshop and/or presentation for your group’s upcoming conference and/or convention. Most organizations and associations have local conferences, regional conferences, and national conventions. I find that most are looking for good workshops for these events, and many are pleased to use members for the presentations. I started by proposing and giving workshops at our Toastmasters’ District conferences. This was a great learning experience and a way to become known as a presenter.

Next, I proposed and presented at several Regional Conferences, so became more comfortable and even better known. Finally, I was asked to present one of the workshops that had been a winner at both the district and regional conferences at the International Convention. By the time I got to this level, I had ironed out the kinks and felt confident about my performance. Since that time, I have given a similar workshop at other group’s conferences.

Volunteer to become a member of a Speakers’ Bureau. I am not referring here to the type of Speakers’ Bureaus that place speakers for a fee. I am referring to group speakers’ bureaus that serve a community purpose. For example, there are speakers with bureaus who share information about an organization, a region, a college and/or college topics, and causes. For example, I volunteered to become a speaker for the Cleveland Growth Association. We auditioned and then, when chosen, were given assignments.

One talk involved a slide presentation about all of the great places to visit in Cleveland with a running dialogue including interesting information about those places. Rather than using and reading the script, I did research and created my own presentation of the slides.

So, get out there and start practicing.

Chris King is a professional speaker, storyteller, writer, website creator / designer, free agent, and fitness instructor. Sign up for her eclectic E-newsletter, Portfolio Potpourri, at http://www.PowerfulPresentations.net You will find her information-packed E-book How to Leave Your Audiences Begging for MORE! at http://www.OutrageouslyPowerfulPresenter.com and her business website at http://www.CreativeKeys.biz

April 18th, 2009