There's a new service out there aimed at Twitter users who want to shrink their long URLs for their tweets... But its not limited to Twitter!
At Shortweet.com anyone can shorten their URLs and affiliate links and make them more managable. Need more than just a standard short link? Check out the additional features...
If you register for a free account, you get the ability to delete and edit your URLs. There are also some basic tracking features to show where your clicks are coming from. If you are posting your link to several sites, you can see which ones are bringing you the most visitors.
If you use safelists and/or traffic exchanges you can see which are the most effective. Not only will this site track what site the link came from, but also the IP address of the user who viewed it. So if a site sends you 100 visitors but they all originated from 5 different IPs and another sent you 25 visitors from 25 different IPs, then you would know that the second site (even though it sent you fewer total visitors) would probably be a better place for unique page views.
Seeing your total versus unique visitors is a great way to determine which sites to put more emphasis on. If a site is sending you tons of hits but they are coming from very few people, you probably should be advertising less there and concentrating your efforts on the ones that bring you the unique views.
Check out Shortweet.com! Its free to sign-up for and use!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Marlon Sander's 21-Step Cheat Sheet to Profiting from Twitter
by Marlon Sanders
In this article I’m sharing my cheat sheet for profiting
from Twitter.
I want to share with you how to obtain joint ventures,
meet people you can produce products with, get people to
promote your products and jump start your business — all
without forking over even a dime.
And you can do all of this starting 60 minutes from now –
even if you don’t know anyone to start, even if you don’t
have any sort of list to begin with, even if you’re a
newbie, even if you’re a Mac user, even if you can’t
attend seminars, even if ….
You get the idea.
By using Twitter, you will:
* Meet people who have lists and can promote your product.
* Meet people who have the know how to move your business
forward.
* Connect with people like you, so you don’t have that
feeling you’re in this all alone.
* Avoid the bickering, arguing junk that goes on in forums.
One thing I hate about forums is a few people post all the time
and become power brokers — even if they’re obnoxious, don’t
have any clue what they’re doing and so forth.
Forums also attract a lot of negativity.
Twitter is a totally different and refreshing experience.
I’ve officially been on Twitter hard core for a few weeks now.
I still have lots to learn. But let me share the amazing things
I HAVE discovered about it that can benefit you greatly and almost
immediately.
==> You’ll meet and connect with wonderful people
I’ve met some really neat people I normally would have never
connected with.
==> You’ll get to discuss things with people you might not
know about them in other venues.
==> You can interact with a lot of people quickly.
==> Your Twitter list builds virally
People will retweet (explained below) things you say. This
virally spreads your info through other people’s networks.
This is the most powerful aspect of Twitter.
Now, here are my best tips on getting the most out of
Twitter.
1. Sign up at Twitter.com
That’s step one, of course. It’ll take you about 30 seconds.
2. Download Tweetdeck
It’s a freebie download for pc’s and Macs from Tweetdeck.com.
Tweetdeck will make your tweeting an unbelievable experience.
3. Keep the negative junk off Twitter
Don’t use Twitter to try to get that refund or resolve disputes.
The purpose is marketing. Use it to bring positive energy and
meet people.
People have asked me, “Marlon, why can’t I publish info if
someone rips me off?”
The reason is because the PURPOSE of being on Twitter is to
network with people who can promote your products for you.
When you complain about other people, it REPELS positive
people, exactly the ones you are hoping to ATTRACT.
4. Follow people who are in your niche.
Go to Twitter.com. Click on “find people.” Type in names of
people who write blogs in your niche, who have affiliate
products and who are influencers.
Click the “follow” link under their photo. This will let you
see their tweets with other people.
5. Make friends
Do NOT go onto Twitter pitching people. Make friends. Be a
sociable person.
6. Learn the art of the RT
RT stands for “retweet”. There’s a little icon that says RT.
When you retweet someone’s messsage, you’re passing it on so
the people on your list can see it.
This is the ultimate form of sharing. You give before you
get.
Even if you only have 10 people on your list, use the RT.
But watch how others do it first. Don’t just jump in.
7. Observe for a week
Spend a week or so just watching others and learning what
happens on Twitter before you jump in head over heels.
8. Anything and I do mean anything you say can and will be
retweeted.
It’s crazy. People RT things you wouldn’t think they would.
So be aware that anything you say can be spread. So be
very cautious about saying anything negative about anyone.
9. Share your positive energy
I said this before. But I’m going to repeat. Positive energy
attracts other positive people.
10. Give first
Do NOT ask people to promote you or your product. GIVE first.
Offer to promote THEM!
How? I don’t know. Be creative. Think of something. Anything.
Even if it’s just republishing their article on your blog. Or
retweeting them.
Let me repeat — give first. Offer to promote others first.
By law of reciprocity many will give back to you.
The #1 mistake people make is to ASK before they give.
11. If someone really annoys you, you can go to twitter.com,
find their name and on the right side is link where you can
block them.
12. Go to associateprograms.com and search for affiliate
programs in your niche market. Find the names of the product
creators and look ‘em up on Twitter.
People who have products with affiliate programs also have
lists. Make friends with ‘em. Do something to promote
their product and tell ‘em about it. That WILL get a response
in most cases.
13. Offer viral ebooks and reports on Twitter.
Instead of blatantly promoting your product, it’s better
to offer a little report or ebook with a decent chance
of others retweeting it.
Use Twitter to PULL more than to PUSH. This is PULL
marketing.
14. When you run across a cool web site or resource tweet
it to your list.
15. Do NOT send a lot of messages without the @ symbol.
You want to send most of your messages to individuals
using the @ symbol.
16. Go out of your way to promote others to your Twitter
list. They’ll reciprocate some time in some way.
17. When you find a good blog post on someone’s blog,
pass it along to your Twitter list.
This endears you to the blog owner. Even if they aren’t
on your Twitter list, there’s a decent chance word will
spread back to ‘em.
This IS the age of instant communication.
18. Learn to Twitter on your iPhone or cell. Yes,
you can do that too.
19. Understand that in the big picture your goal is to
find people who have lists and can promote your products
then make friends with ‘em.
That’s your ultimate objective. But you don’t get there
by ramming your product down people’s throats. You get
there by being an ATTRACTIVE PERSONALITY that others
gravitate to.
It helps if you pass along cool resources and on
occasion say things that are profound or retweetable.
20. Inspire others to go for it and pursue what they
know they should pursue but don’t have the courage
to do it.
Be a cheerleader for people’s highest and best
interests.
21. Use Twitter strategically to meet and network
with list owners.
Do NOT end up twittering away time you really should
be using to create products or do other promotions.
Use Twitter. Don’t let it use you.
Please pass this cheat sheet along to others with the
resource box below. And then hit me with your feedback
and comments on my blog.
Let me know if this helped or inspired you:
http://www.marlonsnews.com/?p=197
------------------------------------------
I don't necessarily agree with everything that Marlon has said here, this is a great starting point for those of you who are just getting started on Twitter. If you've been following my blog entries, I'm sure you realize that I am very high on using Twitter to increase build your marketing list. Its an awesome way to connect with new people who you wouldn't have otherwise.
-G
In this article I’m sharing my cheat sheet for profiting
from Twitter.
I want to share with you how to obtain joint ventures,
meet people you can produce products with, get people to
promote your products and jump start your business — all
without forking over even a dime.
And you can do all of this starting 60 minutes from now –
even if you don’t know anyone to start, even if you don’t
have any sort of list to begin with, even if you’re a
newbie, even if you’re a Mac user, even if you can’t
attend seminars, even if ….
You get the idea.
By using Twitter, you will:
* Meet people who have lists and can promote your product.
* Meet people who have the know how to move your business
forward.
* Connect with people like you, so you don’t have that
feeling you’re in this all alone.
* Avoid the bickering, arguing junk that goes on in forums.
One thing I hate about forums is a few people post all the time
and become power brokers — even if they’re obnoxious, don’t
have any clue what they’re doing and so forth.
Forums also attract a lot of negativity.
Twitter is a totally different and refreshing experience.
I’ve officially been on Twitter hard core for a few weeks now.
I still have lots to learn. But let me share the amazing things
I HAVE discovered about it that can benefit you greatly and almost
immediately.
==> You’ll meet and connect with wonderful people
I’ve met some really neat people I normally would have never
connected with.
==> You’ll get to discuss things with people you might not
know about them in other venues.
==> You can interact with a lot of people quickly.
==> Your Twitter list builds virally
People will retweet (explained below) things you say. This
virally spreads your info through other people’s networks.
This is the most powerful aspect of Twitter.
Now, here are my best tips on getting the most out of
Twitter.
1. Sign up at Twitter.com
That’s step one, of course. It’ll take you about 30 seconds.
2. Download Tweetdeck
It’s a freebie download for pc’s and Macs from Tweetdeck.com.
Tweetdeck will make your tweeting an unbelievable experience.
3. Keep the negative junk off Twitter
Don’t use Twitter to try to get that refund or resolve disputes.
The purpose is marketing. Use it to bring positive energy and
meet people.
People have asked me, “Marlon, why can’t I publish info if
someone rips me off?”
The reason is because the PURPOSE of being on Twitter is to
network with people who can promote your products for you.
When you complain about other people, it REPELS positive
people, exactly the ones you are hoping to ATTRACT.
4. Follow people who are in your niche.
Go to Twitter.com. Click on “find people.” Type in names of
people who write blogs in your niche, who have affiliate
products and who are influencers.
Click the “follow” link under their photo. This will let you
see their tweets with other people.
5. Make friends
Do NOT go onto Twitter pitching people. Make friends. Be a
sociable person.
6. Learn the art of the RT
RT stands for “retweet”. There’s a little icon that says RT.
When you retweet someone’s messsage, you’re passing it on so
the people on your list can see it.
This is the ultimate form of sharing. You give before you
get.
Even if you only have 10 people on your list, use the RT.
But watch how others do it first. Don’t just jump in.
7. Observe for a week
Spend a week or so just watching others and learning what
happens on Twitter before you jump in head over heels.
8. Anything and I do mean anything you say can and will be
retweeted.
It’s crazy. People RT things you wouldn’t think they would.
So be aware that anything you say can be spread. So be
very cautious about saying anything negative about anyone.
9. Share your positive energy
I said this before. But I’m going to repeat. Positive energy
attracts other positive people.
10. Give first
Do NOT ask people to promote you or your product. GIVE first.
Offer to promote THEM!
How? I don’t know. Be creative. Think of something. Anything.
Even if it’s just republishing their article on your blog. Or
retweeting them.
Let me repeat — give first. Offer to promote others first.
By law of reciprocity many will give back to you.
The #1 mistake people make is to ASK before they give.
11. If someone really annoys you, you can go to twitter.com,
find their name and on the right side is link where you can
block them.
12. Go to associateprograms.com and search for affiliate
programs in your niche market. Find the names of the product
creators and look ‘em up on Twitter.
People who have products with affiliate programs also have
lists. Make friends with ‘em. Do something to promote
their product and tell ‘em about it. That WILL get a response
in most cases.
13. Offer viral ebooks and reports on Twitter.
Instead of blatantly promoting your product, it’s better
to offer a little report or ebook with a decent chance
of others retweeting it.
Use Twitter to PULL more than to PUSH. This is PULL
marketing.
14. When you run across a cool web site or resource tweet
it to your list.
15. Do NOT send a lot of messages without the @ symbol.
You want to send most of your messages to individuals
using the @ symbol.
16. Go out of your way to promote others to your Twitter
list. They’ll reciprocate some time in some way.
17. When you find a good blog post on someone’s blog,
pass it along to your Twitter list.
This endears you to the blog owner. Even if they aren’t
on your Twitter list, there’s a decent chance word will
spread back to ‘em.
This IS the age of instant communication.
18. Learn to Twitter on your iPhone or cell. Yes,
you can do that too.
19. Understand that in the big picture your goal is to
find people who have lists and can promote your products
then make friends with ‘em.
That’s your ultimate objective. But you don’t get there
by ramming your product down people’s throats. You get
there by being an ATTRACTIVE PERSONALITY that others
gravitate to.
It helps if you pass along cool resources and on
occasion say things that are profound or retweetable.
20. Inspire others to go for it and pursue what they
know they should pursue but don’t have the courage
to do it.
Be a cheerleader for people’s highest and best
interests.
21. Use Twitter strategically to meet and network
with list owners.
Do NOT end up twittering away time you really should
be using to create products or do other promotions.
Use Twitter. Don’t let it use you.
Please pass this cheat sheet along to others with the
resource box below. And then hit me with your feedback
and comments on my blog.
Let me know if this helped or inspired you:
http://www.marlonsnews.com/?p=197
------------------------------------------
I don't necessarily agree with everything that Marlon has said here, this is a great starting point for those of you who are just getting started on Twitter. If you've been following my blog entries, I'm sure you realize that I am very high on using Twitter to increase build your marketing list. Its an awesome way to connect with new people who you wouldn't have otherwise.
-G
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Free Viral Twitter Following System, No Optin Required!
If you are using twitter, you will definitely want to use the free following system out.
It costs nothing ever, and even comes with 3 free gifts just for using it. It will grow your followers on twitter automatically for you once you start the system.
Its free, its cool, and it works.
It costs nothing ever, and even comes with 3 free gifts just for using it. It will grow your followers on twitter automatically for you once you start the system.
Its free, its cool, and it works.
Free Twitter Following System
|
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
How to Get Targeted Traffic From Traffic Exchanges
If you are using traffic exchanges to drive traffic to your site, you're probably going about it all the wrong way. It's OK! Most people who use them make the same mistakes.
If you're just starting out in internet marketing traffic exchanges are usually the first sites that you try to send traffic to your site or affiliate link. Sending these people directly to your page is a huge mistake! You should be using splash pages, banners and text ads to drive your traffic.
People who visit your site through the surf console are not targeted visitors! The only reason they are viewing your page is to earn credits so they can make the same mistakes in showing their pages to you and the other members.
The timer is short and they are trying to view as many pages as quickly as they can, so the page you are showing them to has to have something to catch their eye and make them stop for a moment. Not too much text, because they won't take the time to read it. A picture, a couple of lines of text and a link to click that opens in a new tab (or window). This is a splash page.
Think of your splash page as an oversized banner for the site you are promoting. It should fit completely withing the surf window. If its too large and the surfer has to scroll down to read or click the link, it will not work! Surfers usually won't take the time to scroll down and see the whole page.
OK, I'm driving untargeted traffic to a splash page; now what?
Every person that clicks the link on your splash page is visiting your main page because they want more information. This is a targeted visitor! And we all know that targeted visitors convert better than random ones.
There will be many who visit your site and buy your item or sign-up for your program that would have never even noticed it had you been advertising your main page because they would have never taken the time to read it!
Optimize your credit usage at traffic exchanges.
At many exchanges, I get a better response from banner and text ads than I do from my splash pages. I convert unused traffic credits to banner and text credits (usually anywhere from 10 to 100 impressions per traffic credit). If I'm getting 30 banner imps for every traffic credit and I convert 200 credits I end up with 6000 banner views.
Many exchanges give you surf bonuses of free banner and text credits if you surf a certain number of sites. They usually have a tiered formula that gives you another block of credits for each level you attain, so the more you surf, the more impressions you'll earn.
Why do banner and text ads work better at some exchanges than splash pages?
The first problem is that most surfers are viewing multiple exchanges and switching between tabs with every click. They get a very small glimpse, at the most, of your splash page, but the one thing they look at is the surf bar.
They have to look at the surf bar to know where to click to move on to the next page. And what ads are on the surf bar? BANNER AND TEXT ADS!!! Usually your banner and text ads get more eyeballs on them than the actual pages being rotated.
A good example of this happened to me today. I put a new text link on an exchange (one only) for a site that I had been promoting heavily but had not had a sign up for in a couple of weeks. Within an hour of posting that 26 character text ad, I had received 4 clicks and 2 sign-ups from it!
Not all work that well, but it gives you an idea of how powerful they can be.
Try to keep your text links original. Don't use the same words as someone else unless you know that their ad has been converting like crazy...Then by all means: COPY IT!!! You can also custom tailor your ad for each exchange.
i.e. You are promoting an exchange that gives you cash for surfing and doesn't limit the number of pages that you can surf in a day. You want to place an ad on another site that gives cash bonuses for surfing but limits the number of pages you can surf each day and say something like this: Surf 225 Earn 10c No Limit
The above link is the exact link that I posted on Revolutionary Traffic this morning that brought me two sign-ups for Hover Traffic in an hour!
The thing to remember is to make your splash pages, text links and banners so that they make the viewer want to click and find out more. Keep them truthful (false promises only piss people off). When they sign-up or buy from you; over deliver and keep them happy and you'll develop a customer for life.
If you're just starting out in internet marketing traffic exchanges are usually the first sites that you try to send traffic to your site or affiliate link. Sending these people directly to your page is a huge mistake! You should be using splash pages, banners and text ads to drive your traffic.
People who visit your site through the surf console are not targeted visitors! The only reason they are viewing your page is to earn credits so they can make the same mistakes in showing their pages to you and the other members.
The timer is short and they are trying to view as many pages as quickly as they can, so the page you are showing them to has to have something to catch their eye and make them stop for a moment. Not too much text, because they won't take the time to read it. A picture, a couple of lines of text and a link to click that opens in a new tab (or window). This is a splash page.
Think of your splash page as an oversized banner for the site you are promoting. It should fit completely withing the surf window. If its too large and the surfer has to scroll down to read or click the link, it will not work! Surfers usually won't take the time to scroll down and see the whole page.
OK, I'm driving untargeted traffic to a splash page; now what?
Every person that clicks the link on your splash page is visiting your main page because they want more information. This is a targeted visitor! And we all know that targeted visitors convert better than random ones.
There will be many who visit your site and buy your item or sign-up for your program that would have never even noticed it had you been advertising your main page because they would have never taken the time to read it!
Optimize your credit usage at traffic exchanges.
At many exchanges, I get a better response from banner and text ads than I do from my splash pages. I convert unused traffic credits to banner and text credits (usually anywhere from 10 to 100 impressions per traffic credit). If I'm getting 30 banner imps for every traffic credit and I convert 200 credits I end up with 6000 banner views.
Many exchanges give you surf bonuses of free banner and text credits if you surf a certain number of sites. They usually have a tiered formula that gives you another block of credits for each level you attain, so the more you surf, the more impressions you'll earn.
Why do banner and text ads work better at some exchanges than splash pages?
The first problem is that most surfers are viewing multiple exchanges and switching between tabs with every click. They get a very small glimpse, at the most, of your splash page, but the one thing they look at is the surf bar.
They have to look at the surf bar to know where to click to move on to the next page. And what ads are on the surf bar? BANNER AND TEXT ADS!!! Usually your banner and text ads get more eyeballs on them than the actual pages being rotated.
A good example of this happened to me today. I put a new text link on an exchange (one only) for a site that I had been promoting heavily but had not had a sign up for in a couple of weeks. Within an hour of posting that 26 character text ad, I had received 4 clicks and 2 sign-ups from it!
Not all work that well, but it gives you an idea of how powerful they can be.
Try to keep your text links original. Don't use the same words as someone else unless you know that their ad has been converting like crazy...Then by all means: COPY IT!!! You can also custom tailor your ad for each exchange.
i.e. You are promoting an exchange that gives you cash for surfing and doesn't limit the number of pages that you can surf in a day. You want to place an ad on another site that gives cash bonuses for surfing but limits the number of pages you can surf each day and say something like this: Surf 225 Earn 10c No Limit
The above link is the exact link that I posted on Revolutionary Traffic this morning that brought me two sign-ups for Hover Traffic in an hour!
The thing to remember is to make your splash pages, text links and banners so that they make the viewer want to click and find out more. Keep them truthful (false promises only piss people off). When they sign-up or buy from you; over deliver and keep them happy and you'll develop a customer for life.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Twitter Experiment Update
Well, its 48 hours into my Twitter Experiment. Things aren't going exactly how I had imagined...They're even BETTER!
In the first 24 hours I started following around 60 people. 45 or so of those are big name internet marketers. I was pleasantly surprised at how many followed me too. It seems that people look at those "Gurus" and see who they are following and follow those people, so I'm getting tons of followers without even trying now.
I've spent a total of 2 hours working (mainly just following my new legion of followers and sending them a direct message with a link to one of my sites in it) on Twitter and have 190 followers already. I'm not using any specialized software or viral add sites. These people are just seeing me on someone elses page and looking me up.
My main purpose is to see what I can do in a week and then a month. I'm documenting it all (link clicks, sales, subscriptions) with screenshots and plenty of notes so that I can share it all later. There's a lot of Twitter stuff out there right now, but one more won't hurt...
Most of those who follow me, I'll follow back. Hell, they're just trying to find contacts and if I can help them or perhaps, them me; then its all the better. You never know who you might find in your list that would make a good partner for a project or two.
I've quit looking people up to follow for now. I have plenty of new followers coming in. If the flow starts to subside, I'll tag along someone else and see how things go. But for now, its all good and working on autopilot.
I log in a couple of times a day and send out a Tweet, then go through my new followers and send them a direct message with a link to one of my sites and follow most of them. It takes me about 30 minutes or less to get it all done.
I have my Direct Messages with links in a notepad file saved to my desktop, so all I have to do is copy and paste. I usually will add their first name.
Example:
My link may be Thanks for following me. I'll be following you also. Check my blog: http://twitpwr.com/6np/ , which takes them to this site.
I'll insert their firstname like this: Thanks for following me, Tom. I'll be following you also. Check my blog: http://twitpwr.com/6np/
Adding their name makes it seem more personal and your replies and link clicks will go way up.
Thats all for tonight. Look for more Twitter Updates soon. OHHH!!! FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!
In the first 24 hours I started following around 60 people. 45 or so of those are big name internet marketers. I was pleasantly surprised at how many followed me too. It seems that people look at those "Gurus" and see who they are following and follow those people, so I'm getting tons of followers without even trying now.
I've spent a total of 2 hours working (mainly just following my new legion of followers and sending them a direct message with a link to one of my sites in it) on Twitter and have 190 followers already. I'm not using any specialized software or viral add sites. These people are just seeing me on someone elses page and looking me up.
My main purpose is to see what I can do in a week and then a month. I'm documenting it all (link clicks, sales, subscriptions) with screenshots and plenty of notes so that I can share it all later. There's a lot of Twitter stuff out there right now, but one more won't hurt...
Most of those who follow me, I'll follow back. Hell, they're just trying to find contacts and if I can help them or perhaps, them me; then its all the better. You never know who you might find in your list that would make a good partner for a project or two.
I've quit looking people up to follow for now. I have plenty of new followers coming in. If the flow starts to subside, I'll tag along someone else and see how things go. But for now, its all good and working on autopilot.
I log in a couple of times a day and send out a Tweet, then go through my new followers and send them a direct message with a link to one of my sites and follow most of them. It takes me about 30 minutes or less to get it all done.
I have my Direct Messages with links in a notepad file saved to my desktop, so all I have to do is copy and paste. I usually will add their first name.
Example:
My link may be Thanks for following me. I'll be following you also. Check my blog: http://twitpwr.com/6np/ , which takes them to this site.
I'll insert their firstname like this: Thanks for following me, Tom. I'll be following you also. Check my blog: http://twitpwr.com/6np/
Adding their name makes it seem more personal and your replies and link clicks will go way up.
Thats all for tonight. Look for more Twitter Updates soon. OHHH!!! FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!
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