Bootstrapper Notes

Email Marketers Forum

As you know I have had much success over the last 12 to 14 months building lists and selling ebooks.  One of things I have always struggled with is exactly what to do with my subscriber list. 

How do I market to them?
How often should I contact them?
What about spam complaints?
etc., etc., etc.....

Well, I have just joined a brand new forum where those of us that use a list building as a major part of business strategy can now get together and swap ideas.

It is just getting started, so there are not a ton of posts.  Why don't you help change this, and head on over to the Email Marketers Forum and start making some posts!

I will definitely be stopping by there on a regular basis.  I wish Mark success with this new site, I only wish I would have thought about this myself! :)

19pages.com - the tool for the master plan!

If you are an Adwords user, you have probably heard that quality score is playing a big role in the cost of your clicks these days.  One way to get around this is to have more of a site than just a landing page/squeeze page.

I found a cool tool that I plan on integrating into some future projects.  The tools is called "19 pages" and was developed by Mark Wielgus over at 45n5.com.  "19 Pages" is basically a totally free mini-site development system.  Write your articles, choose your template, and publish - very quick!  He figures that a mini-site consists of 19 pages, and would tend to agree with him.  You can pick it up for free over at http://www.19pages.com.

Here is how I plan on using this neat little piece of software in the near future using Adwords and Clickbank products.

Plan Version 1.0:

• Get 19 reprint articles pertaining to my niche or ebook that I am promoting.  Load them up into "19 pages", modify the template, and publish.
• Create my squeeze page using the same basic template as the site, and create a "terms", "privacy policy", and "contact us" page.  Link the squeeze page subtly to the "19 pages" site.
• Create the autoresponder sequence to pitch products to the subscribers, but also to send them to specific pages on the site increasing my Adsense revenue.

Plan Version 1.0b:  create unique content for the site - not sure if the quality score will see the reprint articles as duplicate content and grade the site down or now - time will tell!

The other thing I might do is to use the $7.00 Report method with this model.  For instance, once a user subscribes the "thank you" page will be a $7.00 report that I created for this niche.  What I might do is make sure that I am getting subscribers before I spend time creating the $7.00 report.

Maybe I will even share this as an example with all of my wonderful readers when I get it done - or a $7.00 report! :)

Are you a Republican or Democrat?

I really like these types of tests:

You are a Social Conservative (38% permissive) and an... Economic Conservative (68% permissive) You are best described as a: Republican Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid Free Online Dating Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

List FX Review

This morning I picked up a brand new course on building your own list for "massive profits".  Keith Wellman just opened the site up and there are some great bonuses for those that purchase in the first week.

The thing that go me was the price - more on this in a minute.  As you know I have really been focused on building a mailing list the last few months.  I am always wanting to learn more, because honestly, I am learning with the old "sink or swim" method now.

I cannot believe the amount of information that is packed into this course.  I can tell you there are techniques in here that I will be using starting NOW.  In case your wondering if it only applies to "money making" niches - the answer is NO!

The best part is that this ListFX course is only $9.95!  I was honestly expecting the price to be much higher - but for $9.95 you really can't beat this deal.

Go get it now.....

Google Analytics Invitation

Yesterday I received my invitation to join Google Analytics.  So last night I got my code all installed on one of my sites, just to see how it works.  It is still gathering data, so there are no stats to report on yet.

It took about 3 months for me to get my invitation after signing up.  I did find out that if you are really desperate, you can actually buy the invitation code from Ebay. :)

I will be sure and let you know more about the program once I get some data and have a chance to work my way around the software.

Recommended Podcast

I usually do a big search once a month for new podcasts to add to my listening library.

Top recommendation - Internet MLM Pro Podcast <=direct link if iTunes is installed.

I found a really great one last month - http://www.internet-based-business-mastery.com

These dudes have it going on - and seem to be in-line with what I am currently doing with my business.

Link Building Tools - Part One

I have been working the last week or so on creating a system to continually build incoming links to not only my affiliate content sites, but also my 4 ecommerce sites.  Today I thought I would share the first of two tools that I have purchased to maximize my time in doing this mundane task.

The first tool in my arsenal is Reciprocal Manager.  This tool is one of the scripts I am sure you have seen that basically allow you to build a link directory.  I have tried free ones, but I ended up purchasing this one simply because it is head and shoulders above the free ones I tried. 

Reciprocal Manager completely automates the process for adding links to your site.  Visitors can simply fill in a form to add their site.  The cool thing is that they must first put your link on their site, because when they hit submit, the software checks their site to be sure you link is on it.  Once a user makes a submission, it is not live on my site until I review and approve it.

There is a complete administration backend where you control everything.  It is really awesome!

I get two or three emails a day from Value Exchange, I am going to start simply replying to them with the link where they can add my their site to my directory.

I am only going to accept "on-topic" sites for exchanges, so this is not going to turn into some mega-directory that accepts any and all exchanges.  I can also easily add LinkMetro requests thru the admin interface.

So far I have it installed and fully functional on just one of my sites.  The rest will be easy to add the script to, now that I have it figured out.  It is a simple install, so don't worry about that.  PLUS, I can add it to unlimited domains - I own it completely.  There is also a forum if you run into problems.

Okay, so now that I have the site interface figured out the next step was to figure out how to get people to start exchanging links with me.  Stay tuned for Part two of this series where I will share with you the tool I am using to find potential link partners.

I am a .mp3 file type

The Empress posted about this quick survey that tells you what type of file extension you are, so I decided to give it a try.  Here is mine:

Which File Extension are You?

Free iPod Shuffle

Okay folks - I NEED a free iPod Shuffle, and you can help me.  This is no scam, a guy I work with has already received a free iPod from these guys - it is totally legitimate.

Here is the deal, you simply click this link - Free iPod Shuffle - and sign up.  You will need to complete one of the offers.  Be sure you click straight from the site to the offer and complete it so that you get credit.

Once you do this it will give me credit as well. 

Here is the bribe I am offering:  If you complete an offer that turns "green" under me, I will have a friend sign up under you, and complete a requirement so that you will also get a Free iPod Shuffle.  Let me know via a comment if you do this so that I can keep track and reward you when the time comes.  (fine print: this offer is only good until I fullfill my requirements, so you better hurry)

So come on people - help your fellow affiliate marketer have a way to listen to some good tunes!

Places to Ping my Wordpress Blog

I am in the process of setting up the blog for my new site.  I need a list of places to ping.

If you have a good list of places to ping your blog to, could you please send it my way?