Monday, November 24, 2008

Create More Success in Your Life! Things That Work…

1. Hire experts to do what you are not good at!

If you are an expert in your field and really good at what you do – why waste your time trying to figure out how to do things you

a. Don’t know...

b. Are not good at...

c. Don’t have time for?

For example, I love designing websites and marketing materials, as an artist I just love it. I happened to be born with an artistic gene, I am an expert at designing and developing websites that are marketing machines. I have been in this industry for over a decade - I have experience – I have learned so much I am a great consultant. I can draw up marketing plans etc.

Programming is not my talent and it is not my niche…

I tried when I first started and found I just am not the programming type – it took me days to accomplish what it takes a programmer an hour to do. Being in this business so long I have some very good connections. When I have to have some heavy programming done I don't do it myself I hire the best… Saves me time, stress and ultimately saves me money.

2. Prepare – have a plan.

I have seen so many people just decide one day to have an online business and they don’t do the preparation needed to really have a solid foundation. You need to write out a business plan – if you don’t know how just write out what your goals are and a detailed map of how you are going to get to your goal.

When you get to the point you need a website – what type do you need?

a. Do you want to use you website to market your business?

b. Do you have a product or services you want to sell?

C. Do you want to put up a portfolio?

Would a blog be what you need or do you need both…

You get my point.

3. Have the right image!

If you truly want to develop a successful business, a solid foundation is one of the most important things you can do. It will be the springboard where all your success will come from.

What do I mean by “The Right Image”?

Well that will depend a bit on what it is you are doing. First your business does need a website – I may sound like a broken record but – it is true!

People use the internet as a research tool to learn more about businesses in their area – or around the world. Secondly the website, your business cards and all marketing materials must be branded and attract your target market.

If you are in a business that deals with children and parents it will look quite a bit different than a business that is for the Adult – Professional world.

Branding means to have all marketing materials, website, ads etc have the same images, colors, flavor, and feeling that you want to portray to your customers/clients.

Last but certainly not least – when meeting people in person make sure you make a good impression – dress so you look like a successful business owner – be polite and always remember you never know who it is you are talking to – it may be the person that will open the door to a flood of clients.

3. Be prepared to work.

Business is hard work – it is fun and challenging as well - but it is not going to be a piece of cake. Be prepared to put the time in especially in the beginning when you are trying to get established. Realize that when you own your own business you will be responsible for the success or failure.

Failure comes when someone is not ready to put in the work involved in getting the business off the ground. Failure comes in when you give up - because things are not going as you thought they would.

Remember: The difference between success and failure is that the successful person, will stumble and fall at times but they get up dust off the disappointment and figures out a way to solve the problem.

The unsuccessful person stumbles or falls and doesn't get up - decides life is against them "so why try?".

I don’t care what you have heard – if you think you will be making big bucks with very little time invested think again.

4. Networking the back bone of any business – network!

I am sure you have heard the saying “it isn’t what you know but who you know” – I believe that is only half true – it is “what you know and who you know”. That is the beauty of going to networking events or accessing web 2.0 sites and getting to know people on-line. It really is amazing what you can accomplish when you are networking with the right people.

5. Money is made and lost through relationships…

If you only have your eyes on you and what others can do for you, than you my friend will find that you will be on the losing end of #5

6. Sell – Sell – Sell

A lot of people really have a negative image of a sells person – it congers up someone that is insincere at best and a crook at worst. Nothing can be farther from the truth. A good sells person believes in what she/he has to sell and considers it something that will make that persons life a little better.

When you are authentic – then you believe in your product and service. When you believe in what you are doing than it is just natural that you will be excited and enthusiastic about getting the word out to every one that can benefit.

Have you ever heard “Your mouth is your business it should always be opened”? Funny saying but it is really true – please don’t go overboard and bore people to tears by just talking about you and you business – but where appropriate talk!

Find solutions for people that need your expertise. It’s all about balance – and (where appropriate) don’t forget to ask for the sell.

Pamela Jacob - Artista Design

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Are you being penalized for duplicate content??

I have been hearing a lot about being penalized for article duplication on the internet. I started to really get concerned a lot of the articles I submit to e-zine articles get published on various site.

I know how important back links are to search engine position and have always used this method as part of my marketing strategy.

I am sure a lot of you do too…

But what about the duplication penalties that I have heard about from search engines?

Is it really worth it or not?

I found an article that really clarifies the dilemma and honestly gave me a sigh of relief – I hope it does the same for you. This article makes total sense.

http://tinyurl.com/article-duplication

Keep on submitting articles for submission in article marketing forums it is a great way to get rankings on search engines …

Pamela Jacob – Artista Design

Monday, November 10, 2008

Blow Out Price for Royalty Free Photos!

I have decided that when I run across a good deal (this is a great deal) I would share it with you. There are a lot of places to buy images some you have to pay per image – some are more expensive than others. So many times new online businesses are using images they do not have permission to - and a lot of the free sites have a written agreement that you will use them for your own personal use not for business advertising purposes. This can open your business up to law suites and other copy right infringement problems - and believe me when you become successful people will notice...

Because I am a designer, I buy subscriptions to websites that allow me to download royalty free images (unlimited). I never know from month to month what images I may need or what type of clients I will have.

I just became aware of a fantastic sale www.iclipart.com this service offers - clipart - photo's - fonts - sounds.

They have a smaller inventory than a few of the other site I get photo's from but for $29.99 a year (that is only $ 2.50 a month) unlimited downloads and the images are royalty free in addition to that ... How can you beat it!

Who know how long they will have this sale?

To be honest with you I do have a favorite, and it is clipart.com – it has a Hugh variety of great photos and clip art (so don’t let the name fool you) along with free fonts and sounds…

Great for those multimedia projects that you are trying to finish up.

If you are in the graphic design field and need very high resolution images you may want to go to photos.com – much more expensive but when you are in the print industry you need a much higher quality graphic. These pictures are much less expensive than buying them piece by piece…

These photos are not just your standard stock photos – large formats and professionally done. Clipart.com has professional looking – unusual pictures.

Pamela Jacob - Artista Design