Poll reveals 30% of people don't know how to market on the

What is one of the greatest challenges businesses today? Almost 30% of respondents to a poll on BizTipsBlog.com say they don't know how to market their business on the Web.

This information comes from my collegues, Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman aka The Blog Squad. To read the full story go to http://www.expertclick.com/NewsReleaseWire/default.cfm?Action=ReleaseDetail&ID=19208

In response to this staggering statistic, The Blog Squad and The Street Smarts Marketer are hosting a free teleseminar on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 6 p.m. Eastern to provide an overview of what people need to be aware of when taking their business online. Details and registration are at www.blogsquadteleseminars.com/5traps.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

I don't have any money and I don't know where to start.

Denise Wakeman of The Blog Squad had a great post on one of her blogs. It has to do with a poll we have been conducting. The post was so good, I couldn't help but take most of it for this post....



I don't have any money and I don't know where to start.

It's been interesting to watch the results of our current poll as people vote to let us know where they are having trouble with marketing their business on the Internet.


The past two days the "winners" have been:

I don't have any money so how can I start an Internet-based business?

I don't know where to start.

Interesting.

There are so many free resources and tools on the 'net, it perplexes me that people feel they don't have the resources to get started. I know they do.

So that leaves me with "I don't know where to start." I think that gives us a better picture of what's going on.

Kathleen Gage, Patsi and I are carefully monitoring this poll and are having daily IM chats, emails and phone conversations about the best way to address these issues in our free teleseminar on December 17.


Last night, Kathleen and I were exchanging emails about when we were first starting out online, with literally no money, how we took risks, made scary investments in mentoring, marketing programs and tools, and a lot of desire to teach, share, coach and have our own businesses. For me, it started in 1996. I didn't know anything.



Read the rest of Denise's post at http://www.biztipsblog.com/2007/12/i-dont-have-any.html

She reveals some great insights.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer

Take our poll on the traps of Internet Marketing

Inquiring minds want to know….

If you could select the #1 Internet Marketing Trap….What is yours?

Would you help out and take our poll?

Click here to select your answer.
http://www.biztipsblog.com/2007/12/internet-market.html

While there, you can register for the FREE teleseminar on how to avoid the 5 most common traps.

In success,

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer

FREE teleseminar with The Blog Squad and much more in the Street Smarts Marketing Ezine

What a great month it is going to be. Not only will we be enjoying lots of great Holiday Festivities, I have some wonderful events coming up.

All You Law of Attraction Fans & Lovers of the best-selling book and blockbuster hit DVD movie, 'The Secret'… On December 5th I am joining Jeanna and Eva in their Expert Series.

They have had wonderful guests like Bob Doyle, James Ray, John Dimartini, Ken Foster already. Not to worry. Even if you missed all the other shows you have a chance to still join in on this amazing program.

Another exciting event is the one I am doing with my good friends and colleagues, Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman aka The Blog Squad™. During this fast-paced, content driven session you will Discover the 5 Internet Marketing Traps That Can Derail Your Business

FREE Teleseminar featuring The Blog Squad™ and yours truly, The Street Smarts Marketer™

I am partnering with The Blog Squad™ to present this important class about how you can get your business on track to make a lot of money using the Internet in 2008.

Among many other things, we'll share with you the one thing you absolutely must avoid if you want to be viewed as a credible expert by your potential customers.
Find out about these events and much, much more in my December Street Smarts Marketing Ezine. Click here http://www.turningpointpresents.com/newsletters/enewsdecember2007.htm

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer

Build A Multi-Million Dollar Business

"Are my thoughts and actions moving me closer or further away from my goals?"

This quote comes from Dr. Joe Capista. Dr. Capista has successfully built a multi-million dollar business. When I asked him why most people never achieve their financial goals he simply said, "Their goals and their actions do not match."

To access an excellent eBook by Dr. Capista called, Build A Multi-Million Dollar Business go to www.joecapista.com

My best,
Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

The Blog Squad and The Street Smarts Marketer are set for something HUGE!

Not long ago I had a conversation with my colleagues, Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman aka The Blog Squad about how many people really want to make money using the Internet, but never will. It's not for lack of desire, it's for lack of something else.

We had plenty of time to talk about what this something else is while we enjoyed a leisurely dinner at the Westin Hotel in Los Angeles. It is the one thing we see over and over in people who struggle to fufill their dreams of making money using the Internet.

What is that something else? You are soon to find out. The Blog Squad and The Street Smarts Marketer (yours truly) are joining forces on December 17th from 3 - 4 p.m. PST for somethng very, very exciting.

Mark your calendar - more information to follow.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Is Blogging Necessary?

Although some people view blogging as a novelty or a “someday I’ll get around to it” most companies will find great benefit by adding blogs and blogging to their overall marketing strategy. When done correctly, blogging can have an incredible impact on your market position.

In essence blogs are no different from other marketing channels. Blogs are designed to deliver results, position you and your company and establish credibility. Some of the primary reasons to have a blog and to blog are to build expert status, reach a global market, increase customer and media relations, keep your market informed on what is happening with your company and industry, establish market perception and rank high on the Search Engines.

Determine the Purpose
Are you blogging because this is the latest and greatest fun idea someone on your team thought of or is this a viable part of your overall branding and marketing strategy? If a blog is simply another whimsical idea, you are likely blogging for the wrong reason. If, on the other hand, this is a part of your overall marketing strategy make sure you are strategic in your process.

Blog Consistently
To be effective you need to blog on a fairly regular basis. Your postings can be short, but need to be relative to your purpose. Many bloggers post information from other sites as a way to keep their readers informed on a particular topic. When you post information from another resource you absolutely must reference where you got the information from.

You can blog about new product releases, plans your company has, articles of interest and even what your competition is up to. The more valuable the information the more you will build a dedicated readership.


Driving Visitors
There are a number of effective ways to get people to view your blog. One is to use key words relative to your market and industry. Whenever you post something you want to include those key words.

Next you can announce your blog in your company newsletter, through media releases, to your current opt-in subscribers and in any advertising you do.

You can add your blog address to your outgoing email messages by way of your sig (signature) file that you use at the end of your email messages.

Another option is to write articles specific to your market and industry. Add a resource box at the end of your article with a link back to your blog. If your article is perceived to have high value there is a very good chance readers will visit your blog.

Most importantly is to make the blog postings valuable to the readers. If the information doesn’t hold their interest they will have no reason to return.

The more valuable your readers find your information the more likely it will be that they turn into loyal readers.

Make It Easy for People to Subscribe
By offering readers the chance to subscribe to your blog the more likely it will be for them to continue to read your information. Make it easy for people to sign up for your blog. You can add what are known as blog buttons also known as chiclets. You can also add a simple sign up form by visiting FeedBlitz.com and FeedBurner.com. This allows people to subscribe to the feed and receive updates as you add new content to your blog.

Keywords
Keywords are a way to improve your search engine ranking. Choosing the right words for your products, services, industry or market is extremely important. Keywords are what lead search engines to your blog. The more targeted your list the more effective your postings.

Analyze your business and your market. Think of any words that your readers might be search on to find you that relate to your company, industry, product or service.

The way to narrow your target words down is to use a keyword selector tool. A reliable selector tool will help you to narrow the search by indicating how often people search on specific word combinations.

In Conclusion
Blogging will create great opportunities when done correctly, consistently and conscientiously.

Kathleen Gage is an Internet Marketing Advisor for Speakers, Trainers, Authors, Consultants and Entrepreneurs. Access her eBook The Truth about Making Money on the Internet at http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/free-ebook.htm

Goals

With the New Year right around the corner many people will be setting goals for the coming year. What are your goals?


Set your goals according to your values, time and passion.

FREE teleseminar on how to use Internet Radio to promote your book

Discover Proven Methods to Promote and Sell Your Book With Little or No Cost Through the Power of the Internet! a FREE teleseminar where I will be interviewed by Valerie Connelly of Global Talk Radio.

Wednesday, November 14th
(8PM Eastern, 7PM Central, 6PM Mountain, and 5PM Pacific)

Please RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your place by sending your confirmation to info@callingallauthors.org

Find out how to promote your book through the power of Internet Radio.
Learn how to become the kind of author who is an in-demand media guest.
Discover the one thing you need to do to your website to generate interest in your book - the one thing that 99% of authors never do.
Discover how to get tons of online visibility at no cost. Visibility that equates to credibility and sales.
And much more! Hope you'll all choose to tune in for this one.

Call-in information: 1-605-475-6006
Access Code: 763624#
Be sure to call in a few minutes before the program. The show starts promptly at at 8PM Eastern, 7PM Central, 6PM Mountain, and 5PM Pacific. They'll lock the portal on the hour and start the program.Please RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your place, by or sending your confirmation to info@callingallauthors.org

In success,

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer

Powerfull Living Radio Show

I was recently interviewed by host Lorraine Cohen on her Powerfull Living Blog Talk show.

www.blogtalkradio.com/PowerfullLiving

We had a great time in spite of (or maybe because of) some technical glitches.

In success
Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Join me today on Blog Talk Radio

I have been invited to be a guest on Powerfull Living at Blog-Talk Radio on Thursday to discuss the spiritual side of marketing. You can tune in and listen on your computer atwww.blogtalkradio.com/PowerfullLiving.

I invite you to call in with any questions you have on what spiritual marketing means and how you can attract business to you rather than chasingafter it.

Call in to ask a question: 646-716-7937 or text host Lorraine Cohen a question while we're live and download the show after itairs at the same webpage.

You can subscrible to the RSS feed and never miss any upcomingshows.
Today, Thursday, November 8th at 5 p.m. Eastern.
www.blogtalkradio.com/PowerfullLiving

In success
Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Do you wonder aboout keywords?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is how to determine keywords for their website. It is actually quite simple once you know who your market it. Often you can find out keywords by surveying your market. Simply ask them what their greatest concern on the area of expertise is that you have.

For example, if someone wants to know about Internet Marketing, I would ask, "What is your number one question about Internet Marketing?" From there I can narrow my words down.

What I have done in this post is actually put my keywords a few times. If you guessed Internet Marketing, you are right.

Have a great day

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

A wealth of information

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Over the weekend of October 28th I was in Las Vegas with friends and family attending my niece's wedding. The wedding was spectacular and in a location that was incredible.

It was wonderful to share in the celebration of Taryn and TC's union.

This last weekend, I had an amazing time in Los Angeles. I attended Mark Victor Hansen's Mega Speaker Conference. Without a doubt, this was one of the best investments of time money and energy I have ever made.

The speakers were great, I was able to connect with people I have known for some time via the Internet, but had never met face-to-face.
I was able to finally meet two of my favorite people, Patsi and Denise aka The Blog Squad. I will post more detail in the near future, but wanted to let you know some great ideas began to surface when I had breakfast with Patsi and Denise. We have something very exciting coming, but I am not at liberty to tell you much at all. I was sworn to secrecy.

At dinner they once again swore me to secrecy. What I can tell you is this.....knowing myself the way I do and knowing them the way I do, you will definitely be interested in what is coming.

More to follow.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Is fear holding you back?

In your search to have a prosperous and fulfilling life, you have probably used numerous resources to have what you want in your life. No doubt you have made progress that has brought you rewards. Yet, it is likely you have encountered some obstacles.

Like many, you might be struggling with Fear as a major barrier in your life.

Even though you can have a clear vision, develop a strong business and marketing plan, outline key actions to reach your goals and still fall short of having what you want as long as your fear controls you.

You might be feeling angry and frustrated with yourself because you're not where you want to be in life. If you are, you’re not alone! Had enough?

That’s why I’m so excited to tell you about Lorraine Cohen’s audio program, Transform Your Fear Into POWER.

In her newest 54-minute audio Lorraine spills the beans about fear; what it is, how to recognize it, what causes it and how to break through it. This audio is jam-packed with transformational exercises, tips and resources to eliminate self-sabotage and roadblocks!

"Transform Your Fear Into POWER, is a powerful audio and exercise that will teach you to rid yourself of the debilitating fears that hold you back from the life you are meant to live. After listening to her program, you will feel empowered and begin to regain control over your thoughts and actions. I recommend this program to anyone who is struggling to find their way, interested in better understanding their world and feel the call to make a powerful change in their lives". - Megan Kristel, Owner, Kristel Closets

Visit the link below for more details:http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2149323

Lorraine believes until we change our relationship with fear, it will continue to rule our lives and keep us from experiencing the richness of life that we all desire. Transform Your Fear into POWER offers critical tools and concepts you can implement immediately to break free of negative fear so that you can transform yourself and your life. If not now, when?

"Lorraine, I absolutely loved this audio. I found it impactful, difference-making, and real! The information provided is applicable in any and all situations allowing one to powerfully shift from being stuck to being in-action. Your delivery is serious, playful, and empathetic. It is quite evident that what you have to say works and that you are committed to your message. Not only do the exercises serve as a great tool but your mention of additional resources is extraordinarily invaluable. Thank you for powerfully equipping me for life’s adventures!" – Eunice Wick, Consultant

Learn more about this cutting-edge program by clicking the link below:http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2149323

When you purchase the program you’ll receive the 18-page audio script and a workbook to help you change beliefs and overcome self-sabotage AND over $1600 worth of bonus gifts. You’ll also have an opportunity to access Lorraine’s two new companion eBooks with proven strategies to put you in charge of your life NOW. "Lorraine Cohen's program, Transform Your Fear Into POWER, provides a refreshing approach to the experience of fear; a way to find our power in our fears rather then run away from them. I continue to turn to Transform Your Fear to give me the courage to work to overcome the barriers to success on my journey; to continue the quest for answers for both myself and my clients to develop hidden power". - Giovanna Tonelli, LCSW, Owner of Becoming

Act now! Get your copy and for that matter, perhaps even another for someone important to you. Remember when you do, you will receive literally over sixteen hundred dollars in special gifts from the leaders in the field.

http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2149323

PS: Know anyone who wants to have more prosperity and happiness? Do them a favor and spread the word by forwarding this offer to your friends and networks.

In success,

Kathleen Gage

The Street Smarts Marketer

www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Authors...Do you have a sell sheet?

Many authors would like nothing more than to write a book, have it published and make lots of money. The fact is, the writing of the book may well be the easiest part of the process aside from the publishing.

The greatest obstacles many authors face is in the marketing of their book(s). One tool that will help in your marketing is a good sell sheet.

If you are unfamiliar with the term, there is an excellent article at
http://www.iuniverse.com/tips-for-authors/sell-sheets.htm

In success
Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Meet The Left Thumb Blogger

It is with great pleasure I introduce Glenda Watson Hyatt to my readers.

Every so often our paths will cross with someone who is truly incredible. Such is the case with Glenda Watson Hyatt, The Left Thumb Blogger. Glenda is the author of I'll Do It Myself
http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/

I met Glenda one evening while doing a web search on Virtual Blog Tours. Her name, blog and information repeatedly appeared when I would google Virtual Blog Tours.

When I contacted Glenda to inquire about interviewing her, she was very gracious in accepting my invitation. You are in for a special treat.

Kathleen: Glenda, tell me about yourself.

Glenda: I hail from Surrey, on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada, where I live with my wonderful husband Darrellof eight years and my spoiled feline child Faith.

Having recently self-published my autobiography, I'll Do It Myself (http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/ill-do-it-myself-the-book) in which I intimately share my life living with cerebral palsy to show others that having cerebral palsy is not a death sentence, but rather a life
sentence, I am now promoting it on http://www.doitmyselfblog.com, my blog and through virtual book tours.

I do all of this by typing with my left thumb. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFrSnILrOrw

Kathleen: Your Virtual Book Tour sounds fascinating. Please share with my readers more about this.

Glenda: Virtual book tours are the latest trend in book promotion. Rather than lugging boxes of books from book signing to book signing, and waiting in airports for delayed flights, you promote your book from the comforts of your home by making guest appearances on blogs, podcasts, and internet television and radio shows. Hosts may interview you or ask you to write a guest post for their blog. The possibilities are endless.

Kathleen: What is the difference between a Blog Tour and a Virtual Book Tour?

Glenda: I would say a blog tour is specific kind of a virtual book tour, using only blogs to promote to your book; although, with a blog tour, you aren't necessarily promoting a book. You could be promoting another product or service, or even a cause.

Kathleen: You have had a successful Virtual Book Tour. What were the greatest benefits to doing one?

Glenda: I thoroughly enjoyed meeting people from around the world. And, unlike an in-person appearance that is over once the people leave and the chairs are folded up, virtual appearances are available long after the tour is over. My blog is still receiving traffic from the virtual book tour I did earlier this year as well as the one I did in August.

Kathleen: What were the downsides?

Glenda: Virtual book tours take a lot of work to organize. Much is involved in finding bloggers to host appearances and answering the interview questions.

Kathleen: Does an author need someone else to set up a tour for them, or can they do it themselves?

There are businesses sprouting up that will organize virtual book tours for authors. Dorothy Thompson's Pump Up Your Book Promotion (http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com/) is one such fine example. However, if authors have the time, it is very possible to organize it themselves. I have done two virtual book tours myself now, and am itching to do the next one.

Kathleen: What are the steps to setting up a tour?

Glenda: Here are a few tips for organizing a virtual book tour: The key is to do your research and prepare before "heading out":

1. Research potential blogs (or podcasts or internet radio shows). Approach bloggers whose blogs fit your target audience and which have fairly active blogs in terms of posts and traffic. It may help to build a relationship with the blogger first.
2. Use a spreadsheet to track dates, bloggers' names and email addresses, etc.
3. Send a thank you note via snail mail to bloggers who host an appearance.
4. Be prepared for the unexpected. A blogger may not post the interview when you expected or something else may happen, so you'll need a filler post on your blog if your readers expect to read something every day of your tour.
5. Be creative and have fun with it. Because virtual book tours are still new, there are no rules yet. Make it your own.
6. Enjoy the adventure and meeting people from around the world. Good luck!

Kathleen: How do you approach a Blog or Site owner to be featured on their site?

Glenda: I have found having an established relationship with the bloggers helps when I approach them. They are more than willing to host an appearance on their blog.

Kathleen: How long should my tour be?

Glenda: I discovered the hard way that eight weeks is way too long for a virtual book tour. My second tour was two weeks, which was more manageable and more enjoyable, and surprisingly, sold more books. I am planning a one-week tour in late October. I'll see whether that is long enough to build any momentum.

Kathleen: Do you need to do any additional promotion for a tour?

Glenda: To date, I have only promoted my tours within my networks. However, I have recently discovered sites for listing and promoting your virtual book tours, which I will try for my next tour. The more I do, the more I realize I still have to learn! It is actually quite exciting.

Kathleen: Did you notice an increase in book sales when you did the tour?

Glenda: My second tour was more successful in terms of book sales than my first because it was more focused on my primary target market. With only a couple of exceptions, I appeared on blogs that spoke to moms with children with special needs.

Kathleen: For someone just starting out with this, what can you suggest to assure a successful tour?

Glenda: I would suggest keeping your first tour short, perhaps a week or two, and focus on blogs (or podcasts) where your primary target that hangs out. Be organized and keep it fairly simple. Once you're comfortable with conducting interviews in this way and have a better feel for how virtual book tours can work, and then you can focus more on promoting your tour. And have fun with it!

End of Interview.

A special thanks to Glenda Watson Hyatt, The Left Thumb Blogger. I would invite all my readers to go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFrSnILrOrw to view Glenda’s video on YouTube and find out why Glenda is such an amazing woman.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

8 Common mistake people make when they try to get in front of their market

• Come across as only interested in the sale rather than someone who is interested in the customer’s needs.
• Target an incompatible market
• They are not prepared when opportunity strikes
• Appear desperate – not being willing to walk away
• Trying to sell too soon – before they know there is a need
• Prejudging a person’s potential to buy
• Not setting themselves apart from the competition
• Chasing good money after bad – not letting go of someone who just isn’t a good match for your products or services.

Are you making any of these mistakes? If so, remedy them immdediately.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Are you wasting time researching places to gain online visibility?

Gaining visibility on the Internet is a never-ending quest. Finding reliable resources to submit your blog, Ezine, website, articles and news stories to can take dozens and even hundreds of hours.

I have a solution. It's called The Directory of Resources for Internet Visibility.

It is jam-packed with nearly 300 resources to skyrocket your online visibility and reach!

With the Directory of Resources for Internet Visibility I have taken the burden off of you to save you time and money. Time to work on other money-making projects, be with your family or just enjoy a less stressful marketing campaign.

Total combined hours of research for this product is dozens upon dozens of hours. This is time you don't have to waste. Total cost, $20 plus you get over $250 is great bonus gifts.

http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/directory.htm

In successKathleen GageThe Street Smarts Marketer

FREE live event with Kathleen Gage in Eugene, Oregon

ENTREPRENEURS, CONSULTANTS, BUSINESS OWNERS

-If you are unsure of how to effectively market your product or service
-If you are getting little or no results from your marketing
-If you have a limited budget to market your business
-If you are ready to turn things around in your business once and for all....

Join Kathleen Gage for a FREE live event on October 23rd in Eugene, Oregon

SECRETS TO GAIN more leads, better prospects, greater sales!

-Learn powerful strategies to position your company and increase your revenue stream
-Learn how to identify a profitable market
-Discover the benefits of FREE publicity versus paid advertising - and how to get tons of FREE publicity
-Discover what you need to know to develop websites that are Customer Magnets and Money Making Machines
-Discover dozens of no cost and low cost methods to market your business
-Understand ways to drive thousands of visitors to your website that cost you nothing
-Find out what you absolutely must know (and DO) about Internet Marketing in order to make thousands of dollars at the "press of a button"
-Discover how to build a highly responsive, revenue generating opt-in subscriber list without spending a dime
-Find out how to gain expert status within your target market and why this is essential to your business success
-And much, much more!

Only a few seats left. Registration required at http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/market.htm