|
|
|
[NewsletArch/MarketingBook/Ad2.htm] |
Dear Reader,
This is the first issue using
Topica Email Publisher to
distribute the newsletter. I am crossing my fingers that all goes
well.
Because of the new service, Website Marketing Plan News is now
available via email in text, HTML, and AOL formats. If you would
prefer a format different from the one you received, click the link at
the end of the newsletter and change the "email format" option in your
profile (You can also send me an email and I can change it for you.).
Special thanks to Cathi Stevenson for noticing that the
How Much for Just the
Spider? book cover image I was using on my site sucked and
sending me a better one (Folks, if you still see the fuzzy version on
WebSiteMarketingPlan.com, refresh your browser a couple of times. The
new image is like a breath of fresh air.).
Cathi created my book's cover design and also runs the
Author's Café ("Self-Publishing for the rest of us."). If you have
authored an e-book (or do any other type of writing) take a look and
sign up for her newsletter. In just two issues, I have already gotten
several new ideas.
While I am on the subject of improvements...
I would like your ideas for improving my site. This can include
content, layout, etc. I am especially concerned about the
home page. In my
exuberance, I have added so much information it confuses even me. If
you have suggestions, you can submit them via an
anonymous,
two question survey on SurveyMonkey. Thank you.
About Today's Articles
The feature article today, "5
Lessons from a Long Shot. A Heartening Belmont Victory.", shows
how we can all learn from trainer Ken McPeek's long shot win.
In the Spotlight article, Jill Whalen of highrankings.com gives
some inside advice on search engine optimization in her piece "Doorways,
Mirrors, and Duplicate Sites".
Thanks and enjoy,
Bobette
P.S. If you like what you read here, please help spread the word about
the Website Marketing Plan newsletter and site by forwarding to two
friends or associates. Thank you.
WebSiteMarketingPlan.com Rises To Top .3%
It took less than four months.
Here's how.
|
***
Contents
Welcome from Bobette
(above)
Feature Article:
"5 Lessons from a Long Shot. A
Heartening Belmont Victory."
by Bobette Kyle
S P O T L I
G H T
"Doorways, Mirrors, and Duplicate Sites"
by Jill Whalen
Site
Adjustments and Additions.
- Marcia Yudkin Marketing Reports
- New search engine resources:
* HighRankings.com
* SEO Workshops
- Chance to share your opinions.
Administrative - Subscribe, unsubscribe, etc.
***
***
5 Lessons from a Long Shot. A Heartening Belmont
Victory.
by Bobette Kyle
Like many, I watched the Belmont
Stakes hoping to see the first Triple Crown in 24 years. Instead, I
saw the 70-1 long shot, Sarava, seemingly appear from nowhere and win.
We should take heart from this unlikely victory. As small business
owners, managers, and entrepreneurs, the "big shots" often see us as
long shots - worth a cursory notice, but rarely more.
As I listened to trainer Ken McPeek and jockey Edgar Prado after the
race, I realized their win was not a fluke. Victory was the result of
several intelligent actions and decisions. Apply these same actions
consistently, and you can win your own "Belmont Stakes":
1) Learn from your mistakes.
Just before the Belmont, Ken McPeek
was fired as Harlan's Holiday's trainer (The "better" horse.). Instead
of becoming bitter, McPeek learned a lesson from the experience. He
analyzed his past actions and took steps to improve. As a result, he
brought Sarava in days early so the horse could get a feel for the
track. After the race, it was noted that all of the top three Belmont
finishers had trained on the track days before the race.
We have all been criticized for our
performance, actions, or ideas. It is easy to become defensive, blame
others, and dismiss the criticism as off base. Next time, when you
receive a criticism or suffer a set back, use it as a learning
opportunity. Look for the grain of truth in the criticism or figure
out what you could have done differently and take action to improve.
2) Have faith in yourself.
In each of two interviews, Prado's
first point was that he and McPeek had kept the faith. They did not
give up despite what others thought. This was not blind faith,
however. They saw signs of a champion in Sarava that others
overlooked. They developed those strengths and they persevered.
Critics are rarely as close as you
are to a situation. They do not know all the details and cannot
understand all that you are thinking. When you see an opportunity that
others do not, take a cue from these winners and persevere.
3) Don't automatically dismiss the
underdog.
Sarava was McPeek's third string
horse. After losing two early favorites - one to injury, the second
when the horse's owner moved him to another trainer - he was left with
the underdog Sarava. It would have been easy to give up the dream.
Instead, while others ogled expected winner War Emblem and superstar
trainer Bob Baffert, McPeek looked for strengths in his own horse and
saw what others did not - a winner.
It is easy to look at the
superstars and reigning champions in our own industries and become
discouraged. Instead, look for strengths in your situation and take
advantage of the opportunities they represent.
4) Know when to make your move.
Jockey Prado deliberately ran
fifth, behind War Emblem, through most of the race. When the favorite
choked, weakened from a stumble at the gate, Prado was ready. He made
his move, riding around War Emblem, and then pushing past others to
earn the victory.
Strong competitors are not
infallible. Look for chinks in the armor. Also, do not discount
"Murphy's Law", which can strike without prejudice. When an
opportunity presents itself - whether one you created or one presented
to you - be ready to make your move.
5) Speak up but stay humble.
During interviews, McPeek pointed
out what he had done to win the race, but he did not brag. His
competitors are still major contenders. He knew that bragging about
the Belmont win could mean eating crow in a future race.
The same philosophy holds true for
our own successes. The situation ebbs and flows. Today's victors may
be tomorrow's strugglers. Being humble and likable when you are in the
spotlight can garner support through future difficulties.
Follow these five lessons from a
long shot and I will see you at the races!
About the Author
Bobette Kyle is author of
How Much For Just the
Spider? Strategic Website Marketing. She used techniques
detailed in the book to bring her own site,
Website Marketing Plan,
from a ranking of 17 million to 59 thousand+ in less than four months.
Table
of Contents. Index.
Book Excerpt. Reviews.
©
2002 Bobette Kyle. All Rights Reserved.
***
To learn more about Ken McPeek,
visit the
McPeek Racing Website. As a side note, have a look at the "Points of Difference" page
for examples of positioning and differentiation.
***
|
-
Secrets of Mouthwatering Marketing Copy
-
PR for the Internet Age
-
Profiting from Booklets & Special Reports
-
132 Ways to Make You or Your Business Newsworthy
Read more about Marcia Yudkin and her reports
here.
|
Doorways,
Mirrors, and Duplicate Sites
by Jill Whalen
This Q&A from Jill's High Rankings' Advisor Newsletter
gives
advice about keyword phrase use, multiple domain names, and more.
Read the article.
About the Author
Jill Whalen is the owner of
HighRankings.com and
moderator of the free weekly email newsletter, the
High Rankings'
Advisor Jill specializes in search engine optimization,
directory submissions, SEO consultations and workshops. She has
obtained hundreds of number 1 and 2 spots for her vast array of
clients throughout the years. Clients include multi-million dollar
companies, major universities, real estate agencies, attorneys,
surgeons, dentists, and small-medium sized businesses.
***
• Secrets of Mouthwatering Marketing Copy
• PR for the Internet Age
• Profiting from Booklets & Special Reports
• 132 Ways to Make You or Your Business
Newsworthy
Read more about Marcia Yudkin and her reports
here.
New Search Engine and Directory Resources
Jill Whalen's HighRankings.com
is an information gold mine. Jill publishes a newsletter, has numerous
helpful articles on the site, and offers a range of optimization
services to fit nearly any budget. She is available for speaking
engagements as well.
Workshops from Robin Nobles and John Alexander. If you have a
search engine optimization budget and are
ready to roll up your sleeves and live the details, consider
a three day
SEO workshops conducted by these optimization experts.
Share your Opinion
As I add content to the site, I fear it is becoming a
bit hard to follow. I cut out some detail from the navigation bar and
added a
site map, but there is still opportunity for improvement.
Rather than make changes willy-nilly, I am
gathering reader's advice. If you have a moment and an opinion, please
give me some feedback through a
two
question, anonymous survey I have set up on SurveyMonkey.com.
***
If you are not yet a subscriber to this newsletter, go
ahead - take the plunge. I do not share your email address
(Privacy
statement). Thanks
X
|
