OK, I received this email from Rich Schefren two days ago, and read over it, but didn't immediately watch the videos. As I've mentioned before - I am VERY skeptical about messages that claim to be the best thing ever, and only read them to observe any useful marketing tactics, words or triggers marketers are using…

Don't get me wrong, I have tremendous respect for Rich - he is one of the few big marketers that I follow closely because he actually offers cutting edge value to my knowledge bank. It's just that I have learned to scrutinise everything nowadays.

Anyway, enough small talk.

The bottom line is that I watched the videos on offer this morning. There are 5 of them. I recommend you look at them all as they are all very good content that will definitely help you. For me though, most were somewhat bleak in comparison to Jay Abraham's video.

Watch Jay's video!!!

He gives such an 'obvious' method of creating great copy, but it is brilliant in its simplicity. It may have to do with the simplicity of the explanation. I found it excellent and am implementing it today.

Won't tell you what it is - go see for yourself. The video is just short of 11min…

Five Weapons Of Mass Persuasion >>

Well, it's that time of the year again… when I do yet another post… ok, so I have to make fun of my lack of posting - or someone else will :o)

So much is happening lately, that bloggin somehow gets pushed to the back. On the other hand, I only want to post on topics that are actually useful to you, so that cuts it down even further…

OK, enough of that.

Today's post ain't so much of an original content, but the video I am linking to is soo good - I don't see the need for me to try and say it better. I'm just the messenger… For those of you who have already seen this post (post is a few days old ;o) - why didn't you share it?

Well, I love online marketing - but I have always maintained a great respect for offline techniques and traditional marketing methods. I've know about this technique for sometime know, so when I saw this great video on the subject I thought - I have to share this with you.

What's this amazing marketing technique?

It has to do with knowing your target market and the characters that make it what it is. Creating a potential customer avatar is extremely powerful. I wouldn't dream of putting a campaign together without researching my audience's motivations, frustrations, circumstances and personal characteristics.

So this technique involves creating a virtual human being or three that will potentially clarify exactly what your campaign needs to say to your prospects to get the maximum conversions.

I have to say that I use this method all the time - and it is one of the best tools in my marketing toolkit!

The special twist in the tail for us - internet marketers - is that you can test and tweak your virtual avatars to perfection - pushing your campaigns to conversion rates you've never known before.

I won't go into detail of how to go about creating your customer avatars, because the 22 min video Rand Fishkin and Ian Lurie have created says it perfectly well - and gives examples.

So instead I'll leave you to watch it for yourself. Before I leave you to it, though, I want to say that it might seem time-consuming. You might think it's not THAT important and it's a bit fluffy around the edges… But you should try it at least once! You'll never start your campaigns otherwise.

Oh, you may want to take notes… Enjoy!

Just a short post to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year & a belated Merry Christmas!!!

It may seem like a trick question there in my heading, but it's actually a very very simple one. I love to set my new year resolutions just before the end of the old one, because it motivates me and makes me 'take stock' of the last year's successes.

The only catch in this exercise is that if you do set your goals and resolutions for 2008, you have to commit to actually review those commitments at the end of the year.

Goals mean nothing without measuring their success.

Here's a little tip that will make your goal setting and achievement a lot easier:

>> Make sure you set measurable goals. So, don't just put down "want to earn a lot more money per month from my online business" - put down a figure instead.

"I want to earn at least $4000 per week from my online business by the end of 2008"

Right, that's all from me for this post. Two of my new year's resolutions are to post at least once a week, but much shorter posts…

Here is to a year full of happiness, health and prosperity!

Yes it's that time of the year again, and the buzz is growing about the upcoming Vegas PubCon conference. Dubbed one of the largest search event of the year, it brings search marketing talents from far and wide. In the past few years search has gotten a lot more exposure as a serious form of marketing - and rightly so, because from where I stand it is a powerful force to be reckoned with.

This year's event is special for two reasons (ok, maybe slightly more than 2, but you're getting two of the lot…).

Firstly, it is the first time I am paying for it privately - so that makes it special. A handy tip btw, the eggs Benedict in the Wynn cafeteria are absolutely amazing :o). But I digress…

The second reason for it being special is because all my fellow SEO-Chicks will be there at the same time - hurrah! SEO-Chicks.com is a blog we started in support of all females in the SEM industry - a place where you can be proud to be a woman in SEM.

So, if you see us at PubCon next week - we'll be wearing bright green T-shirts - come and say 'Hi'.

That's all for today - who said I can't do short posts…

Ha! How our priorities change as we go through life…

Today's post, I'm afraid, holds no marketing value - but instead is a very selfish one.

I have thought about this topic often lately - in fact ever since we moved to live in Spain. When I first arrived in the UK about 9 years ago, all that was on my mind in terms of my work life - was a HUGE CAREER. I wanted to be a very notable and successful business woman. I didn't know how I'd achieve that or what line of work I'd be doing…

Fast forward 8 and a bit years and you get me sitting in my bikini (in the middle of November I might add) on our roof terrace typing away, and feeling incredibly humbled by the view in front of me. Without tempting fate and simply with gratitude - I am now thinking that the things that matter the most to me now are my family (including Andre and the cats and of course mom, dad, brother and so on), my friends, and the people we meet.

Of course I matter to me too, and that's how I have changed so far - I now care more about how I use my time. I care about who uses my time, where I am using my time, and how much fun and appreciation goes into whatever I am doing.

In short, be precious with your most precious commodity in your life. Spend your time doing the things you love most, with the people you love most in the places you love most…

Easier said than done?

NO - you just have to be conscious of this 'rule' and you'll see how soon everything changes to fit in…