At competitive levels of billiards, a scoreboard is essential for displaying the scores of each player. Electronic billiards scoreboards are the latest trend for displaying the scores in billiards. It is a fast, easy, and reliable way of displaying how much time the player has left for the shot or for pre-match warming up. The commendable feature of electronic billiards scoreboards is the accuracy of the displayed information.
Electronic billiards scoreboards have a housing comprising a scorekeeping display adapted for billiards. Digits are generally composed of seven-segment displays, large dot-matrix made of LEDs, incandescent bulbs, or other electromechanical flip segments. The display can add or subtract from scores automatically. There is a power switch for activating and deactivating the scoreboard display.
Electronic billiards scoreboards are mounted on the wall as they are the focal point throughout tournaments for players as well as viewers. The scorekeeping display gives you information such as player statistics, updated scores, average time, average score, winning percentage, important tournament information, and sponsor messages. It also gives information about the current game, and a list of all played games.
Most of these scoreboards come with voice announcer, game clock, control box, wall mounting devices, and laser sound effects. Automatic player change and handicapping options are other advantages. For accuracy and reliability, some of them use infrared puck sensors. Fixed and portable electronic billiards scoreboards are available. There are many companies that manufacture and sell the best scoreboard devices. Most companies offer warranties for their product. Online shopping is an ideal alternative to get quality electronic billiards scoreboards.
Billiards provides detailed information on Billiards, History of Billiards, Rules of Billiards, Billiards Supplies and more. Billiards is affiliated with Pool Tables for Sale .
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Tobey
Monday, September 24, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Antenna directivity and gain
Antennas (aerials) do not radiate equally in all directions. It is found that all realisable radio antennas radiate more in some directions than others. The actual pattern is dependent upon the type of antenna, its size, the environment and a variety of other factors.This directional pattern can be used to ensure that the power radiated is radiated in the desired directions.
It is normal to refer to the directional patterns and gain in terms of the transmitted signal. It is often easier to visualise the antenna is terms of its radiated power, however the antenna performs in an exactly equivalent manner for reception, having identical figures and specifications.
In order to visualise the way in which an antenna radiates a diagram known as a polar diagram is used. This is normally a two dimensional plot around an antenna showing the intensity of the radiation at each point for a particular plane. Normally the scale that is used is logarithmic so that the differences can be conveniently seen on the plot. Although the radiation pattern of the antenna varies in three dimensions, it is normal to make a plot in a particular plane, normally either horizontal or vertical as these are the two that are most used, and it simplifies the measurements and presentation. An example for a simple dipole antenna is shown below.
Polar diagram of a half wave dipole in free space
Antennas are often categorised by the type of polar diagram they exhibit. For example an omni-directional antenna is one which radiates equally (or approximately equally) in all directions in the plane of interest. An antenna that radiates equally in all directions in all planes is called an isotropic antenna. As already mentioned it is not possible to produce one of these in reality, but it is useful as a theoretical reference for some measurements. Other antennas exhibit highly directional patterns and these may be utilised in a number of applications. The Yagi antenna is an example of a directive antenna and possibly it is most widely used for television reception.
Polar diagram for a yagi antenna
There are a number of key features that can be seen from this polar diagram. The first is that there is a main beam or lobe and a number of minor lobes. It is often useful to define the beam-width of an antenna. This is taken to be angle between the two points where the power falls to half its maximum level, and as a result it is sometimes called the half power beam-width.
Antenna gain
An antenna radiates a given amount of power. This is the power dissipated in the radiation resistance of the antenna. An isotropic radiator will distribute this equally in all directions. For an antenna with a directional pattern, less power will be radiated in some directions and more in others. The fact that more power is radiated in given directions implies that it can be considered to have a gain.
The gain can be defined as a ratio of the signal transmitted in the "maximum" direction to that of a standard or reference antenna. This may sometimes be called the "forward gain". The figure that is obtained is then normally expressed in decibels (dB). In theory the standard antenna could be almost anything but two types are generally used. The most common type is a simple dipole as it is easily available and it is the basis of many other types of antenna. In this case the gain is often expressed as dBd i.e. gain expressed in decibels over a dipole. However a dipole does not radiated equally in all directions in all planes and so an isotropic source is sometimes used. In this case the gain may be specified in dBi i.e. gain in decibels over an isotropic source. The main drawback with using an isotropic source as a reference is that it is not possible to realise them in practice and so that figures using it can only be theoretical. However it is possible to relate the two gains as a dipole has a gain of 2.1 dB over an isotropic source i.e. 2.1 dBi. In other words, figures expressed as gain over an isotropic source will be 2.1 dB higher than those relative to a dipole. When choosing an antenna and looking at the gain specifications, be sure to check whether the gain is relative to a dipole or an isotropic source.
Apart from the forward gain of an antenna another parameter which is important is the front to back ratio. This is expressed in decibels and as the name implies it is the ratio of the maximum signal in the forward direction to the signal in the opposite direction. This figure is normally expressed in decibels. It is found that the design of an antenna can be adjusted to give either maximum forward gain of the optimum front to back ratio as the two do not normally coincide exactly. For most VHF and UHF operation the design is normally optimised for the optimum forward gain as this gives the maximum radiated signal in the required direction.
Gain / beamwidth balance
It may appear that maximising the gain of an antenna will optimise its performance in a system. This may not always be the case. By the very nature of gain and beamwidth, increasing the gain will result in a reduction in the beamwidth. This will make setting the direction of the antenna more critical. This may be quite acceptable in many applications, but not in others. This balance should be considered when designing and setting up a radio link.
http://kazus.info/articles/5.html
It is normal to refer to the directional patterns and gain in terms of the transmitted signal. It is often easier to visualise the antenna is terms of its radiated power, however the antenna performs in an exactly equivalent manner for reception, having identical figures and specifications.
In order to visualise the way in which an antenna radiates a diagram known as a polar diagram is used. This is normally a two dimensional plot around an antenna showing the intensity of the radiation at each point for a particular plane. Normally the scale that is used is logarithmic so that the differences can be conveniently seen on the plot. Although the radiation pattern of the antenna varies in three dimensions, it is normal to make a plot in a particular plane, normally either horizontal or vertical as these are the two that are most used, and it simplifies the measurements and presentation. An example for a simple dipole antenna is shown below.
Polar diagram of a half wave dipole in free space
Antennas are often categorised by the type of polar diagram they exhibit. For example an omni-directional antenna is one which radiates equally (or approximately equally) in all directions in the plane of interest. An antenna that radiates equally in all directions in all planes is called an isotropic antenna. As already mentioned it is not possible to produce one of these in reality, but it is useful as a theoretical reference for some measurements. Other antennas exhibit highly directional patterns and these may be utilised in a number of applications. The Yagi antenna is an example of a directive antenna and possibly it is most widely used for television reception.
Polar diagram for a yagi antenna
There are a number of key features that can be seen from this polar diagram. The first is that there is a main beam or lobe and a number of minor lobes. It is often useful to define the beam-width of an antenna. This is taken to be angle between the two points where the power falls to half its maximum level, and as a result it is sometimes called the half power beam-width.
Antenna gain
An antenna radiates a given amount of power. This is the power dissipated in the radiation resistance of the antenna. An isotropic radiator will distribute this equally in all directions. For an antenna with a directional pattern, less power will be radiated in some directions and more in others. The fact that more power is radiated in given directions implies that it can be considered to have a gain.
The gain can be defined as a ratio of the signal transmitted in the "maximum" direction to that of a standard or reference antenna. This may sometimes be called the "forward gain". The figure that is obtained is then normally expressed in decibels (dB). In theory the standard antenna could be almost anything but two types are generally used. The most common type is a simple dipole as it is easily available and it is the basis of many other types of antenna. In this case the gain is often expressed as dBd i.e. gain expressed in decibels over a dipole. However a dipole does not radiated equally in all directions in all planes and so an isotropic source is sometimes used. In this case the gain may be specified in dBi i.e. gain in decibels over an isotropic source. The main drawback with using an isotropic source as a reference is that it is not possible to realise them in practice and so that figures using it can only be theoretical. However it is possible to relate the two gains as a dipole has a gain of 2.1 dB over an isotropic source i.e. 2.1 dBi. In other words, figures expressed as gain over an isotropic source will be 2.1 dB higher than those relative to a dipole. When choosing an antenna and looking at the gain specifications, be sure to check whether the gain is relative to a dipole or an isotropic source.
Apart from the forward gain of an antenna another parameter which is important is the front to back ratio. This is expressed in decibels and as the name implies it is the ratio of the maximum signal in the forward direction to the signal in the opposite direction. This figure is normally expressed in decibels. It is found that the design of an antenna can be adjusted to give either maximum forward gain of the optimum front to back ratio as the two do not normally coincide exactly. For most VHF and UHF operation the design is normally optimised for the optimum forward gain as this gives the maximum radiated signal in the required direction.
Gain / beamwidth balance
It may appear that maximising the gain of an antenna will optimise its performance in a system. This may not always be the case. By the very nature of gain and beamwidth, increasing the gain will result in a reduction in the beamwidth. This will make setting the direction of the antenna more critical. This may be quite acceptable in many applications, but not in others. This balance should be considered when designing and setting up a radio link.
http://kazus.info/articles/5.html
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Outsourcing Data Entry: The Outsourcing Success Story
Although a company's data entry work is often among the most monotonous jobs imaginable, they require the skills of trained personnel. For all its tedium, data entry is essential to a company's survival, without being one of its core operations, and many companies have turned to outsourcing data entry work so that its employees can spend their time on more lucrative matters. The data entry tasks will be performed by competent contractors in developing nations like India, Malaysia, China, and Brazil, and for a much lower cost than it would require if it continued to be done in-house.
How Outsourcing Data Entry Works
Companies have been outsourcing data entry work almost as long as the global technological development has supported outsourcing. The outsourcing of data entry work requires a company to either mail hard copies of its data forms, or scan and email or fax, electronic images of them, to the outsource contractors who will complete the data entry job.
The data entry workers then input information into a database on a computer, and either store it on a magnetic medium for shipping or email it back to the sending company in encrypted form.
Because data entry jobs do not require and advanced degree of computer savvy, outsourcing data entry work is far less difficult than outsourcing more complex processes. Data entry work does not demand an ongoing communication between the outsourcing company and the data entry provider, and the outsourcing of data entry work to date entry firms in underdeveloped nations has for the most part been one of the big outsourcing success stories.
Freelance Data Entry Outsourcing
The Internet, of course, has played a huge part in the increase of data entry workers, in particular in poorer countries, who freelance their services. A simple Internet search will bring up dozens of sites shopping the services of data entry coders who work for what would be considered starvation wages in Europe or the US. For more info see http://www.1outsourcing.com/Articles/Security_Outsourcing.php on Security Outsourcing.
These data entry workers normally price their services according to both the sizes of the requested projects, and their own work histories. Outsourcing data entry work to these coders is usually a matter of posting the specifics of a job, and letting the various coders make bids on it. The going rate for data entry jobs can begin at less than $100, but there is no guarantee that the coder whose bid is accepted will actually complete the job as specified. While most of the reverse auction sites will return the money for an incomplete or substandard effort, the data entry still has not been finished, and business operations may fall behind until it is.
About the Author
You can also find more info on Outsourcing Solutions & Payroll Outsourcing. 1outsourcing.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Outsourcing.
How Outsourcing Data Entry Works
Companies have been outsourcing data entry work almost as long as the global technological development has supported outsourcing. The outsourcing of data entry work requires a company to either mail hard copies of its data forms, or scan and email or fax, electronic images of them, to the outsource contractors who will complete the data entry job.
The data entry workers then input information into a database on a computer, and either store it on a magnetic medium for shipping or email it back to the sending company in encrypted form.
Because data entry jobs do not require and advanced degree of computer savvy, outsourcing data entry work is far less difficult than outsourcing more complex processes. Data entry work does not demand an ongoing communication between the outsourcing company and the data entry provider, and the outsourcing of data entry work to date entry firms in underdeveloped nations has for the most part been one of the big outsourcing success stories.
Freelance Data Entry Outsourcing
The Internet, of course, has played a huge part in the increase of data entry workers, in particular in poorer countries, who freelance their services. A simple Internet search will bring up dozens of sites shopping the services of data entry coders who work for what would be considered starvation wages in Europe or the US. For more info see http://www.1outsourcing.com/Articles/Security_Outsourcing.php on Security Outsourcing.
These data entry workers normally price their services according to both the sizes of the requested projects, and their own work histories. Outsourcing data entry work to these coders is usually a matter of posting the specifics of a job, and letting the various coders make bids on it. The going rate for data entry jobs can begin at less than $100, but there is no guarantee that the coder whose bid is accepted will actually complete the job as specified. While most of the reverse auction sites will return the money for an incomplete or substandard effort, the data entry still has not been finished, and business operations may fall behind until it is.
About the Author
You can also find more info on Outsourcing Solutions & Payroll Outsourcing. 1outsourcing.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Outsourcing.
How To Create Information Products At Lightning Speed
This is going to be a fast, short article - one that teaches you how to create information products at lightning speed. Fasten your seat belt and get ready to take off!
Select Your Subject
Make sure it is something you know enough to create a short report, a valuable ebook or an informative audio recording about.
Also confirm that it is something others will find useful and profitable enough for them to dig in and spend money to buy it.
If you can tie it in to a current trend, a hot topic, a timely news item or event, and in this way get some buzz going, it will boost your sales and profit.
Research Your Topic
If you are already an expert on this topic, you'll save time. If you're just starting out studying it, be prepared to spend the most time on this step. Take advantage of the power and reach of the Internet to carry out your research at warp speed.
Draft An Outline
Don't waste too much time on this, but make sure your outline covers all aspects of the topic of your information product.
When you set out to create information products, the most important step is to decide what problem it will solve or what questions it will answer. Be sure all of that is covered - but don't go overboard loading it with too many 'incidentals'.
Create Information Products
There are many ways to do this. You can write or type it out. You can dictate it into a recorder and have it either published as an audio course, or transcribed into a text document. You can get on the phone and interview an expert. You could pull out your video camera and record yourself explaining something.
Package Your Information Product
This is important in adding perceived value to your offering. An ebook cover adds a touch of class to your electronic report. A nicely designed CD cover makes your audio recording look more attractive. Plus, you get name and business branding through the imagery, logo and graphics.
Plan Multiple Formats
Once you create information products, don't stop with one version. If you write an ebook, think about having it published as a print book, recorded on audio as a CD, even converted into a video presentation. If you did an audio book, have it transcribed into short reports, turned into a set of articles for your blog, even converted into an article to be published in magazines.
Infopreneuring is about getting maximum leverage from content you create, and developing multiple income streams from your one-time intensive effort. Study the intricate steps involved in becoming a masterful infopreneur and you can build your information product empire far and wide, and create information products at lightning speed - for massive profits.
About the Author
Internet infopreneur Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian has helped hundreds of business owners build online information empires. He shares powerful tips, ideas and secrets about achieving success and building massive wealth from information products in his "Internet Infopreneur Tips" ezine. Register for free at InfoProfitz - http://www.InfoProfitz.com/ga.htm - or send any email to infopre-tips@aweber.com
Select Your Subject
Make sure it is something you know enough to create a short report, a valuable ebook or an informative audio recording about.
Also confirm that it is something others will find useful and profitable enough for them to dig in and spend money to buy it.
If you can tie it in to a current trend, a hot topic, a timely news item or event, and in this way get some buzz going, it will boost your sales and profit.
Research Your Topic
If you are already an expert on this topic, you'll save time. If you're just starting out studying it, be prepared to spend the most time on this step. Take advantage of the power and reach of the Internet to carry out your research at warp speed.
Draft An Outline
Don't waste too much time on this, but make sure your outline covers all aspects of the topic of your information product.
When you set out to create information products, the most important step is to decide what problem it will solve or what questions it will answer. Be sure all of that is covered - but don't go overboard loading it with too many 'incidentals'.
Create Information Products
There are many ways to do this. You can write or type it out. You can dictate it into a recorder and have it either published as an audio course, or transcribed into a text document. You can get on the phone and interview an expert. You could pull out your video camera and record yourself explaining something.
Package Your Information Product
This is important in adding perceived value to your offering. An ebook cover adds a touch of class to your electronic report. A nicely designed CD cover makes your audio recording look more attractive. Plus, you get name and business branding through the imagery, logo and graphics.
Plan Multiple Formats
Once you create information products, don't stop with one version. If you write an ebook, think about having it published as a print book, recorded on audio as a CD, even converted into a video presentation. If you did an audio book, have it transcribed into short reports, turned into a set of articles for your blog, even converted into an article to be published in magazines.
Infopreneuring is about getting maximum leverage from content you create, and developing multiple income streams from your one-time intensive effort. Study the intricate steps involved in becoming a masterful infopreneur and you can build your information product empire far and wide, and create information products at lightning speed - for massive profits.
About the Author
Internet infopreneur Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian has helped hundreds of business owners build online information empires. He shares powerful tips, ideas and secrets about achieving success and building massive wealth from information products in his "Internet Infopreneur Tips" ezine. Register for free at InfoProfitz - http://www.InfoProfitz.com/ga.htm - or send any email to infopre-tips@aweber.com
Ebook Projects
I have spent years researching books and have chosen only the best E-books for this site, no scam E-books or false promises or get rich quick schemes. Ebooks are electronic versions of books that can be viewed on a computer screen. You will see the eBook as page spreads: the two pages seen when a book is open; you can read, print and magnify page images to examine minute details using the tools of Adobe Acrobat Reader: the free software distributed by Adobe necessary to read PDF files - the widely distributed technology on which our eBooks are based - in this way you can read them on any computer running Microsoft® Windows® or Mac OS software. People read magazines and news articles and Ebooks on their computer daily (20% on a monthly basis), 85% accessed the Internet on a daily basis, and 84% read Ebooks daily on their computer. In regards to eBooks, 95% reported they were familiar with the term electronic books; 61% had read an article on eBooks; and 58% had watched a television news report or heard a radio news report on eBooks. 85% had read an eBook on their computer; 26% had read an eBook on a handheld organizer, laptop, or personal digital assistant; and 90% had purchased an eBook. http://www.ebookprojects.com
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=613033
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=613033
7 Steps to Make Your Website Your Client Attraction Magnet
When I started my online business in 1999, I had a website, but did very little with it, as it seemed impossible to get noticed by the search engines. My website simply served as my online brochure and I had no plan in place to drive any traffic there. Fast forward to 2007, and now almost all of my clients come to me from my website. In fact, my website has brought 5 clients to my door in the past week.
My website and my Internet marketing strategies do such a good job of promoting my business that when clients contact me, it's usually to say, "I've been to your site and I've been reading the great info you provide. I know you're the one to help me. When can we get started?" Consequently, I'm rarely in the position of having to "sell" someone on the benefits they'll gain by working with me, as my website takes care of most of that for me. I think that's very cool, as I absolutely hate trying to sell myself.
What can you do to make your website your client attraction magnet? There's so much information out there about online marketing and so many directions from which to choose that it's easy to become overwhelmed and confused Whether you have a website and have been online for awhile or are just getting started on creating your Internet presence, here are the most important first 7 steps you can take to get more clients from Internet marketing and create your own client attraction magnet:
1. Domain that reflects your brand. The domain name from which you transact all of your online business should reflect your brand in some way. You can accomplish this by purchasing a .com version of a domain name that is the same as the name of your business or by buying a domain containing keywords relevant to your business. Before buying your business domain, make a list of keywords that someone might use to find you online. This list could include your industry, your target market or niche, a problem your target market has, or a solution that you can offer. If you've been in business for awhile, it may make most sense to simply stick with the business name you have been using rather than trying to rebrand your business online. I highly recommend GoDaddy.com for all domain name purchases.
2. Basic website. In order to have a website and email addresses from your chosen domain, you need to purchase a reliable hosting account for your website. At a minimum, the services that you'll want in your hosting/design package include: hosting for 1 domain, 5 GB of space, 200 GB of monthly transfer volume (tied to how many visitors your site has), 10 email accounts, 10 MB storage per email account, 24/7 support, and basic website statistics. Resource: I highly recommend Aaces.com, HostMySite.com, and iPowerWeb.com for website hosting.
A very basic and attractive initial website of roughly 5 pages can be created by a web designer for as little as $350. Or, if you prefer to do it yourself, you can purchase Frontpage, Dreamweaver , or download a free HTML editor, Nvu, at Nvu.com and either build your site from scratch or customize a pre-made template. Another option is to use a hosting service that provides an online interface for website design, creation, and updates. This type of service enables anyone who's familiar with Microsoft Word to log in and create content, add images, and add pages to their very own website. The major providers of this type of service include GoDaddy.com, Yahoo Small Business, and 1and1 Web Hosting.
As you think about your site design and navigation, determine the look and feel you want to convey on your site, and make your content persuasive. Remember, people visit websites because they have a problem to solve. Visitors to your website will decide to hang around and browse through your site based on how well you answer the following:
* Who am I and why am I qualified to do what I do?
* Who is my target market? What are their problems?
* Do I fully understand and offer solutions to those problems?
You've got less than 10 seconds to capture a visitor's attention. So, it's imperative that your site speaks directly to your target market and that they get a good sense of who you are and what you offer so that they can get to know, like, and trust you and eventually buy from you. If you're not clear and confuse them, they'll be leave, so don't let them be distracted by pretty bells and whistles on your site. It's the content, call to action, and ease of navigation that ultimately matters in site design.
3. Call to action. Present a clear call to action that is clearly shown on every page of your site. Your primary call to action should be getting the visitor's name and primary email address by asking him subscribe to your ezine or by giving him access to a free information product like an ecourse, special report, audio/video recording, or ebook. In order to do this, you need to purchase and learn to use email marketing software that helps you capture visitor contact information. I highly recommend aWeber.com for this task, as it enables you to build, develop, and manage your online contact database.
4. Client-capturing device. The best way to obtain contact info from a visitor is to create an information product in which the content is so compelling that the visitor gladly parts with his/her name and primary email address to obtain the free giveaway. By giving you their contact information, they have become a warm lead and you can start to develop a relationship with them and begin to market to them.
The easiest way to create a client-capturing device is to simply make an electronic recording of you talking about a topic that helps your target market solve a problem, have the recording transcribed, edit it for readability and continuity, create a cover, save it as a PDF file, and you now have a client-capturing device you can give away.
5. Stay-in-touch mechanism. A regularly published ezine, or email newsletter, is one of the most effective ways you can keep in touch with your prospects. For the greatest success, publish your ezine consistently on a weekly basis.
Since you're developing a relationship with your prospects, the best way for them to get to know you is to let your "voice" permeate your newsletter. Demonstrate your expertise in your ezine by writing articles addressing relevant issues of your target market and how they can resolve the issues. Keep your newsletter short and to the point and create 3 columns for each issue -- a personal welcome and insight from you, a main article that provides useful information for your readers, and an invitation to buy a product, buy your services, or attend an event.
6. Your first product There are any number of types of information products you can sell online. The ones that are easiest to create and require little investment (other than your time to create them) are those sold as an electronic download. The quicker you can develop your first product, the closer you are developing both an effective marketing funnel and multiple streams of income for your business.
7. Traffic generating strategies. Once you've built it, will they come? Only if you start to implement some traffic generating strategies. My favorite traffic generating strategy is article marketing, in which I write a new article each week and submit it to online article directories through my article submission service, SubmitYourArticle.com . I've had my articles reprinted on blogs, in ezines, in professional association newsletters, and in print magazines. After reading my article from one of these sources, the reader goes to my website, signs up for my client-capturing device, and then receives my weekly ezine that I use to develop a relationship with that reader, who has now become a prospective client/customer.
Other effective traffic generating strategies include pay-per-click advertising, being a guest on someone's teleseminar, submitting online press releases, or creating a blog or a podcast. You don't have to do them all. Just pick one and implement it consistently.
Follow and work this 7-step plan and experience first-hand the joy of getting more clients online.
About the Author
Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FREE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at http://www.OnlineBizU.com . Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at http://www.AskDonnaGunter.com .
My website and my Internet marketing strategies do such a good job of promoting my business that when clients contact me, it's usually to say, "I've been to your site and I've been reading the great info you provide. I know you're the one to help me. When can we get started?" Consequently, I'm rarely in the position of having to "sell" someone on the benefits they'll gain by working with me, as my website takes care of most of that for me. I think that's very cool, as I absolutely hate trying to sell myself.
What can you do to make your website your client attraction magnet? There's so much information out there about online marketing and so many directions from which to choose that it's easy to become overwhelmed and confused Whether you have a website and have been online for awhile or are just getting started on creating your Internet presence, here are the most important first 7 steps you can take to get more clients from Internet marketing and create your own client attraction magnet:
1. Domain that reflects your brand. The domain name from which you transact all of your online business should reflect your brand in some way. You can accomplish this by purchasing a .com version of a domain name that is the same as the name of your business or by buying a domain containing keywords relevant to your business. Before buying your business domain, make a list of keywords that someone might use to find you online. This list could include your industry, your target market or niche, a problem your target market has, or a solution that you can offer. If you've been in business for awhile, it may make most sense to simply stick with the business name you have been using rather than trying to rebrand your business online. I highly recommend GoDaddy.com for all domain name purchases.
2. Basic website. In order to have a website and email addresses from your chosen domain, you need to purchase a reliable hosting account for your website. At a minimum, the services that you'll want in your hosting/design package include: hosting for 1 domain, 5 GB of space, 200 GB of monthly transfer volume (tied to how many visitors your site has), 10 email accounts, 10 MB storage per email account, 24/7 support, and basic website statistics. Resource: I highly recommend Aaces.com, HostMySite.com, and iPowerWeb.com for website hosting.
A very basic and attractive initial website of roughly 5 pages can be created by a web designer for as little as $350. Or, if you prefer to do it yourself, you can purchase Frontpage, Dreamweaver , or download a free HTML editor, Nvu, at Nvu.com and either build your site from scratch or customize a pre-made template. Another option is to use a hosting service that provides an online interface for website design, creation, and updates. This type of service enables anyone who's familiar with Microsoft Word to log in and create content, add images, and add pages to their very own website. The major providers of this type of service include GoDaddy.com, Yahoo Small Business, and 1and1 Web Hosting.
As you think about your site design and navigation, determine the look and feel you want to convey on your site, and make your content persuasive. Remember, people visit websites because they have a problem to solve. Visitors to your website will decide to hang around and browse through your site based on how well you answer the following:
* Who am I and why am I qualified to do what I do?
* Who is my target market? What are their problems?
* Do I fully understand and offer solutions to those problems?
You've got less than 10 seconds to capture a visitor's attention. So, it's imperative that your site speaks directly to your target market and that they get a good sense of who you are and what you offer so that they can get to know, like, and trust you and eventually buy from you. If you're not clear and confuse them, they'll be leave, so don't let them be distracted by pretty bells and whistles on your site. It's the content, call to action, and ease of navigation that ultimately matters in site design.
3. Call to action. Present a clear call to action that is clearly shown on every page of your site. Your primary call to action should be getting the visitor's name and primary email address by asking him subscribe to your ezine or by giving him access to a free information product like an ecourse, special report, audio/video recording, or ebook. In order to do this, you need to purchase and learn to use email marketing software that helps you capture visitor contact information. I highly recommend aWeber.com for this task, as it enables you to build, develop, and manage your online contact database.
4. Client-capturing device. The best way to obtain contact info from a visitor is to create an information product in which the content is so compelling that the visitor gladly parts with his/her name and primary email address to obtain the free giveaway. By giving you their contact information, they have become a warm lead and you can start to develop a relationship with them and begin to market to them.
The easiest way to create a client-capturing device is to simply make an electronic recording of you talking about a topic that helps your target market solve a problem, have the recording transcribed, edit it for readability and continuity, create a cover, save it as a PDF file, and you now have a client-capturing device you can give away.
5. Stay-in-touch mechanism. A regularly published ezine, or email newsletter, is one of the most effective ways you can keep in touch with your prospects. For the greatest success, publish your ezine consistently on a weekly basis.
Since you're developing a relationship with your prospects, the best way for them to get to know you is to let your "voice" permeate your newsletter. Demonstrate your expertise in your ezine by writing articles addressing relevant issues of your target market and how they can resolve the issues. Keep your newsletter short and to the point and create 3 columns for each issue -- a personal welcome and insight from you, a main article that provides useful information for your readers, and an invitation to buy a product, buy your services, or attend an event.
6. Your first product There are any number of types of information products you can sell online. The ones that are easiest to create and require little investment (other than your time to create them) are those sold as an electronic download. The quicker you can develop your first product, the closer you are developing both an effective marketing funnel and multiple streams of income for your business.
7. Traffic generating strategies. Once you've built it, will they come? Only if you start to implement some traffic generating strategies. My favorite traffic generating strategy is article marketing, in which I write a new article each week and submit it to online article directories through my article submission service, SubmitYourArticle.com . I've had my articles reprinted on blogs, in ezines, in professional association newsletters, and in print magazines. After reading my article from one of these sources, the reader goes to my website, signs up for my client-capturing device, and then receives my weekly ezine that I use to develop a relationship with that reader, who has now become a prospective client/customer.
Other effective traffic generating strategies include pay-per-click advertising, being a guest on someone's teleseminar, submitting online press releases, or creating a blog or a podcast. You don't have to do them all. Just pick one and implement it consistently.
Follow and work this 7-step plan and experience first-hand the joy of getting more clients online.
About the Author
Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FREE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at http://www.OnlineBizU.com . Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at http://www.AskDonnaGunter.com .
Viral Marketing, Do You Really Know What It Is?
Viral marketing is more powerful than third-party advertising because it conveys an implied endorsement from a friend. It is simply utilizing pre-existing social networks to produce increases in brand awareness. Viral marketing is not about wasting people's time, it is instead about giving someone something that want to spend time learning, reading, watching, etc. Viral marketing is only as effective as others say it is if it is be done properly.
In reference to internet marketing, I describe viral as something that is shared with your friends, family, etc. Viral marketing describes any strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, creating the potential for exponential growth in the message's exposure and influence. Viral marketing is a technique that uses word of mouth or email to reach and affect an audience. Viral Marketing is so powerful because it is like a train building up speed. Viral marketing sometimes refers to Internet-based stealth marketing campaigns, including the use of blogs, web sites, and other forms of astro-turfing, designed to create word of mouth for a new product or service.
Viral Marketing includes using legitimate techniques like viral opt-in ezines, viral reprint articles, viral eCources, videos, and many more. I've explained some of the methods below.
Viral Opt-in Ezines are another great Viral Marketing technique that uses a very powerful combination. Ezines are a fun way to build a home based internet business, and all you need is some software and know how to create and promote a website. Offering your subscribers an Ezine is the quickest and easiest ways to drive tons of targeted traffic to any website. Ezines are sent out to subscribers who have requested to receive information on a specific topic on a consistent basis. Ezines are content-rich and informational online publications that are delivered to subscribers with permission through email.
Viral Reprint Articles are short articles that you allow other webmasters, affiliates, and ezine publishers to reprint or use on their website for free. Reprint articles are an excellent website marketing strategy, especially if you have a limited advertising budget. These are articles that you write or have written for you, and then you distribute these articles to as many websites as you can. Reprint articles are a great way of promoting your websites as well as to garner some good quality inbound links. They are also a great and easy way to add content to your site.
Viral eCourses are divided into a series of articles and lessons and are passed on to subscribers via an autoresponder. eCourses are the ideal training solution for new and small businesses and are a great way to build your visibility. eCourses are self-study courses that are delivered to your email inbox at regular intervals and normally divided into lessons that contain relevant reading material and exercises to reinforce what you are learning. Ecourses are a great way to build your visibility; increase others trust in you, and to build you up as an "expert".
Viral video marketing has become the "rave" in the world of online electronic media where just about everyone has an entertainment center in their computer. Video marketing is viral and relies heavily on community submissions and social taqging. It can range from a clip of a seminar, a tutorial, a demonstration of your services, to a commercial. Video marketing is essentially free (other than the cost of the camera to shoot the video) and can be a very powerful strategy in getting targeted traffic back to your site, as well as in other facets of the marketing process like building relationships and branding yourself.
Viral marketing is an art, NOT a science. It is an oft-used buzz word and may not be entirely evident what it actually means. Viral marketing is the Internet term for what has been called "peer-to-peer," "word-of-mouth," "network marketing, "tell-a-friend", "refer-a-friend", "send-this-link" etc. Viral Marketing is still the best way to go when it comes to launching a startup product, in creating that buzz, and in getting filtered and quality feedback before making the big bang of unleashing your product/service into the world. It can work for anyone, without spending a single penny on promotions and advertising.
About the Author
Charles Dunbar is owner of http://DailyCashForLife.com and a leading authority on the marketing of your Home Based Business Opportunity and getting Internet Marketing Training. To learn more, visit my blog: http://www.CharlesDunbar.info
In reference to internet marketing, I describe viral as something that is shared with your friends, family, etc. Viral marketing describes any strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, creating the potential for exponential growth in the message's exposure and influence. Viral marketing is a technique that uses word of mouth or email to reach and affect an audience. Viral Marketing is so powerful because it is like a train building up speed. Viral marketing sometimes refers to Internet-based stealth marketing campaigns, including the use of blogs, web sites, and other forms of astro-turfing, designed to create word of mouth for a new product or service.
Viral Marketing includes using legitimate techniques like viral opt-in ezines, viral reprint articles, viral eCources, videos, and many more. I've explained some of the methods below.
Viral Opt-in Ezines are another great Viral Marketing technique that uses a very powerful combination. Ezines are a fun way to build a home based internet business, and all you need is some software and know how to create and promote a website. Offering your subscribers an Ezine is the quickest and easiest ways to drive tons of targeted traffic to any website. Ezines are sent out to subscribers who have requested to receive information on a specific topic on a consistent basis. Ezines are content-rich and informational online publications that are delivered to subscribers with permission through email.
Viral Reprint Articles are short articles that you allow other webmasters, affiliates, and ezine publishers to reprint or use on their website for free. Reprint articles are an excellent website marketing strategy, especially if you have a limited advertising budget. These are articles that you write or have written for you, and then you distribute these articles to as many websites as you can. Reprint articles are a great way of promoting your websites as well as to garner some good quality inbound links. They are also a great and easy way to add content to your site.
Viral eCourses are divided into a series of articles and lessons and are passed on to subscribers via an autoresponder. eCourses are the ideal training solution for new and small businesses and are a great way to build your visibility. eCourses are self-study courses that are delivered to your email inbox at regular intervals and normally divided into lessons that contain relevant reading material and exercises to reinforce what you are learning. Ecourses are a great way to build your visibility; increase others trust in you, and to build you up as an "expert".
Viral video marketing has become the "rave" in the world of online electronic media where just about everyone has an entertainment center in their computer. Video marketing is viral and relies heavily on community submissions and social taqging. It can range from a clip of a seminar, a tutorial, a demonstration of your services, to a commercial. Video marketing is essentially free (other than the cost of the camera to shoot the video) and can be a very powerful strategy in getting targeted traffic back to your site, as well as in other facets of the marketing process like building relationships and branding yourself.
Viral marketing is an art, NOT a science. It is an oft-used buzz word and may not be entirely evident what it actually means. Viral marketing is the Internet term for what has been called "peer-to-peer," "word-of-mouth," "network marketing, "tell-a-friend", "refer-a-friend", "send-this-link" etc. Viral Marketing is still the best way to go when it comes to launching a startup product, in creating that buzz, and in getting filtered and quality feedback before making the big bang of unleashing your product/service into the world. It can work for anyone, without spending a single penny on promotions and advertising.
About the Author
Charles Dunbar is owner of http://DailyCashForLife.com and a leading authority on the marketing of your Home Based Business Opportunity and getting Internet Marketing Training. To learn more, visit my blog: http://www.CharlesDunbar.info
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