After years of working and producing products together, it is with great pleasure that I announce that Mary Motz (also known as @provirtual) of ProVirtual Solutions and I have launched a new podcast called Online Biz Insiders!

The Online Biz Insiders podcast is in response to the many questions that Mary and I receive from clients, colleagues and friends.   With our consulting backgrounds in website/blogsite design and customization, as well as digital media and content/internet marketing, we felt we had plenty of expertise to share with our audience.

We host our podcasts weekly, and each episode is 10-30 minutes in length.  There is no cost to download our podcast episodes, we simply want to share our “secrets” with our listeners.  We love to share new technologies, resources and tips and tricks for small business owners to help them run their businesses more efficiently.

What is a podcast?  According to Wikipedia, a podcast can be described as, ” a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication.”   I like to explain a podcast in this manner.  A podcast is like an “audio blog”.  Like a blog, whenever we add a new episode (or post) to our podcast feed (or via iTunes), subscribers to our podcast are updated automatically.

In addition to our podcast feed, we have created a separate blog to post images and links discussed during our shows.  Some of our show topics include Task Management, using Google Alerts for reputation management (and other research), and Data Backup Options.

So navigate over to Online Biz Insiders and subscribe to our feed or blog.  You can even get updates via iTunes or email (see the “Get Updates by Email” box on our home page).  We tweet at @onlinebizinsidr!   Our podcast is produced by Wilson Media Services, the company I run with my husband, David.  Our podcast theme music was composed by none other than my son, Ben.

Are you considering starting a podcast?  I’d love to talk with you about it.  Contact me now to discuss further.

If you have a traditional HTML website – or have a website that’s run on a content management system, you definitely want to check out my new teleclass next week, Top Ten Reasons to Switch to WordPress.  If your website is more than a few years old, or if you want something that is easier to maintain, it may be time to rebuild your site in WordPress.

As you may already know, WordPress is a blog platform. It’s been around for ages, but over the past few years it blossomed into a flexible and stable content manager that can help you increase your Internet visibility.

Why switch your website to WordPress?  Here are Mary’s top reasons to make the jump…

1. WordPress has built-in blogging.  Yes, you need this!
2. A site built in WordPress has search engine optimization (SEO) baked in
3. You can make your own content additions and edits, with no webmaster needed.
4. There are thousands of beautiful layout themes available (no cookie-cutter sites!)
5. WordPress is a free open-source system that is constantly improved and upgraded, and there are no licensing fees.

And, did I mention that I’ll be emceeing the event?  Why don’t you join us on Wednesday, November 3 at 2pm for the “Lunch -n- Learn?”  REGISTER HERE

For a low monthly fee (I pay $15 monthly, but could be even lower if I paid annually), RingCentral provide me with an 888 number that can be ported/forwarded anywhere.  This means I have ONE number that rings at my office, and forwards to my cell phone if I’m on the road.  This means that I have ONE number to give out that is my voice AND fax number.  Any voice messages are forwarded to my email.  And, this means that I can create an extension for the members of my team that are routed to whatever numbers they choose.  Amazing!

I like that there are many different ways for the calls to be handled.  I can record my own greeting, or use the system greeting (no surprise there).  I can create a “Do Not Disturb” for certain phone numbers (like the political ads that are flooding my phone right now!).  I can create rules for how I’m notified of incoming messages.

RingCentral is for me!

(Full disclosure: any links in my posts are affiliate links for the resources suggested.  I become an affiliate only for those resources that I use and like.)

D #1: Here is the first advantage of using one of these services, say, in lieu of sending batches of emails from your webmail or Outlook: deliverability.  If you send batches of messages from your ISP, there is the possibility that your messages will be tagged as spam and not delivered.  Email service providers, however, understand this issue and work with the Internet Service Providers.  They typically have some type of “spam checker” module to review your copy and your contact lists and help you avoid issues with your messages.

D #2: Here is another advantage of using an email marketing service: design.  The email marketing services usually have some type of HTML designer so that you can add colors and images to your email messages, newsletters and campaigns.  There is typically a library of templates that you can pick from to then add your own graphics.  This gives a very consistent look to your messages and builds your brand.  I have found that some of the services have a better design system than others, which makes my work easier.

D #3: There are many more advantages to using an email service, but I’ll cover just one more: developing your list.  The contact management built into these providers makes it easy to grow your contact list.  You have the ability to create a contact form that you can use on your website, to automatically add people to your distribution list.  Depending on the service, if someone completes a contact form on your website, they are added to a drip campaign and will automatically receive emails from you on a schedule.

But, which service is right for me, you ask?  No need to worry, I have a solution.  The illustrious Mary Motz (my co-creator on eProduct Flight Plan), is offering a fre*e teleclass on Wednesday, Sept 29th.  Her teleseminar is titled, “Selecting the Right Email Marketing Service for You,” and is bound to answer any question you have about the email marketing services out there!

Click here to register for Mary’s Email Marketing teleclass

Mary is starting a monthly internet marketing teleclass series, and starting with the basics: Email Marketing

Here are the deets:

Wednesday, September 29, 2010
2:00pm Eastern (11:00am Pacific)

If  you’re confused about what email broadcast features you should look for – this is for you!

During this complimentary 1 hour teleclass, we’ll discuss:

• What to look for in an email broadcast service
• A quick feature comparison of the major services (including AWeber, MailChimp, iContact, Constant Contact, 1Shopping Cart & more)
• How the latest list integration features should be considered in your decision
• Suggested services for common business situations
• How e-commerce and shopping carts work with email marketing
• Q & A session

And, no surprise, Mary will be recording the class, so if you can’t make the teleclass live, you’ll get the audio recording.

Click here and sign up NOW

Tip #1: turn text into audio.  For example, say your EProduct is an eBook.  Consider using the eBook text as a script and create an audio recording of the content.  The simplest way I know to do this is by using an AudioAcrobat account.  Within my account there is a special phone number that I can call, pick a record option, and a few moments later, there is an MP3 file waiting for me.  AudioAcrobat stores and hosts the link to the audio file.  (I simply drop that link into my blog post or my confirmation email when someone has bought a new product.)  Voila!  An audio product.  Again, some folks are auditory and would prefer an audio product.   If you create audio products on a consistent basis, then you can create a  podcast (using an RSS feed, folks can subscribe to your podcast, and each time you post a new recording, they are notified).

Tip #2: turn the audio into a video.  So, you’ve created the audio file – great job!  A logical next step would be to add visuals to the audio script you recorded.  One example is a screencast, which matches screenshots with the audio you’ve created.  These are typically used for training purposes.  I’ve helped clients create screencasts by using a tool called Camtasia, but I’ve seen other folks use a f*ree service called Screenr (available at Screenr.com.  It is a Twitter-based tool.)   So, this step may seem a bit intimidating, but relying on your Virtual Assistant may be the cost-effective way to creating a quick video product. ;-)

Tip #3: Consider an affiliate program.  I’ll give more details about affiliate programs in a later post, but basically, you pay a small commission to other folks who help sell your product or event by creating an affiliate link for them to post.

Tip #4: Once you have built your EProduct empire, Another option is to create a membership site.  In its simplest terms, a membership site is a website where members enter a secure password to access your exclusive Products and content.  For instance, when I took some training from one of our VA training providers, I was invited to join their special Club.  Membership in the club is $10 per month and for that $10, I get special discounts for upcoming training, I have access to tons of resource material to use in my business, I’m invited to exclusive mastermind discussions.  Imagine what the VA Training Provider is getting for barely any extra work – $10 a month from many, many of their past happy customers.

My point is to demonstrate the ease by which one can repurpose their content, get it launched and make more income.  What other ideas do you have for repurposing?  I’d love to hear your comments below…

This is about the resources, services, tools, timelines and checklists that will get your e-product off the ground and soaring online smoothly and successfully.

Our bonuses include:

My Resource Rolodex that lists the many tools (many are f*ree!) out there that will help you launch your next eProduct.

Mary’s Shopping Cart & Payment Processing Demystifier – your quick guide to shopping cart and payment processing options

A Sample Flight Plan – An example project plan flowchart for getting a product online, along with a blank flight plan for you to complete for your project.

A Pre-Flight Task Checklist – Did you forget anything? You won’t with this handy task checklist.

I’m happy to extend a 25% discount for you to join us.
On the ticket order form at the bottom of the screen, click
the orange “Enter Discount Code” link and enter the code:

friends25

Click here for full details and to register.

Here is a short video introduction:

In this teleclass, Mary & I will be presenting a guide on how to sell your knowledge online. If you are a coach or consultant and have been wondering what you need to have in place in order to start selling your expertise on the web – you owe it to yourself to check this out.

This is not a marketing class – this is about resources, tools and checklists – the meat & potatoes of how to sell online. If you have an ebook, teleclass, webinar or coaching program (any non-shippable item) that you want to add to your revenue stream, this teleclass will save you time, guesswork and money.

Among the items we will cover:

* E-Commerce 101 – facts you must know in order to understand the online sales process
* Secrets of choosing the best ecommerce tools for your budget, product type & business goals (there’s no such thing as one-size fits all)
* Pros & cons of using a traditional web page vs. WordPress for your sales page
* Messaging – the importance of mapping out your communications before you start selling
* The must-have items of message copy you need completed and ready to go before you sell.
* How to work with a VA to be sure there are no “missing links” in your selling process
* Getting the word out… learn to leveraging all your communication channels to reach people “where they are”
* Your questions… we will address your burning questions on the call – be sure to include yours when you sign up!

“Business Class” passengers will also receive 4 PDF guides, along with a MP3 of the call. You can also opt to purchase a low-cost “Economy Class” (live call only) access ticket.

When: Wednesday, June 23rd, 12:00 Noon – 1:30pm Eastern
Where: Teleclass – all you need is a phone!

Click here for full details and to register. When you register, use the discount code friends25 and save 25% off your ticket!  Plus Early-Bird ticket pricing until Saturday the 19th will save you extra moola!

Hope to see you on the call! :-)

Click Here for the webinar WMV video file

Click Here for the audio file from the webinar