Michele Corey Recommends
My Personal Rolodex of Resources for Building a Successful, Automated, Online Business
Tools and Resources Used and Recommended by Michele Corey, Small Business Coach
Automate Your Email Marketing
Even if you don't have a website or blog - I recommend setting up email marketing as your first step towards easily staying in touch as well as automating your business.
- I-Contact has a simple user interface - even for the non-techie. They offer a FREE 15 day trial. I-contact is email marketing made easy. In addition to autoresponders, newsletters and simply customizable templates, they offer a survey tool. I love that you can easily segment your contacts into groups so that you send emails to groups such as "current clients" and "past clients". You can either single opt in or double opt in your names. All of this is for one low pay as you go monthly price which is based upon your list size. If you have a list of trusted clients you can easily download them into I-Contact and have your first message out in minutes.
- Unlimited Autoresponders by AWeber. Aweber was one of the first email marketing programs I've used and has a great reputation. They offer a $1 - one month trial. This service is great for those that have used an email marketing service but want more analytic ability. They also integrate with Paypal. Aweber uses double opt-in which is good of you are generating leads from PPC or other sources. If you don't know what this means or simply want to send autoresponders then start with I-Contact.
Eliminate Writer's Block - Make Writing Easier
Getting started online can feel daunting. What if you started by simply creating a series of articles that offered value to your current clients? It can be this easy. Step 1. Set up an email marketing account (with I-Contact or Aweber) and upload your contacts. 2. Create an article or a short series articles that build upon each other. 3. Add them to your email marketing program as either an autoresponder series or online newsletter and click send. Ta da...it can be that simple. If you're having a hard time coming up with ideas and want some help use one of the products below.
- One of a kind Email for your Niche I love Lisa's Preston Instant Niche Email. In a few hours you can easily create 12 weeks worth or even a whole year, that's 52 weeks of email messages that can easily be copied into your email marketing auto responder program such as icontact or aweber. How does it work? She has a brilliant yet simple process. First you're asked to go on a treasure hunt, then a super easy to use software program that asks you questions. By answering the questions it comes up with fantastic emails that would have taken you hours and hours.
- Article Writing Templates - I purchased this template package after downloading the free version which shares 3 templates - which I recommend trying first. The product is well written, easy to use and will help you overcome writers block.
- Simple Searching On Google Do you know someone that is successful and in your niche? Want to find out what they are writing about? In the Google search box type name +article submission and press enter. What you discover in the search results can help you brainstorm article ideas and key words that your target market is looking for.
Marketing & Keyword
OK, you bought an email marketing program, wrote your first articles and are beginning to see what's possible with automation. Here's your next step...research. Instead of jumping right into your website and getting frustrated at simultaneously trying to create a site and create content and way before you get your panties all tied up in a knot - take some time to think about who you are, your top keywords, and then do some research. By the way I love GOOGLE, it's is a fantastic FREE Tool and Resource.
- Free Google Alerts will let you know when ever your name, your business, your blog, your website, and even what your competition is doing on a daily business. It's a priceless tool, and it's free.
- Free How To Search On Google and find relevant information that can help you provide valuable information for your target market and grow your business. FYI, in the Easy Writing Tools Section you'll see an example of this with "name +article submission." Google allows you to see who's linking to your site or others, find a PDF on specific topics, and much more.
- Free Keyword Brainstorm Tool by Wordstream here's a non-Google tool that can give you insight into additional words you may want to consider. You can also search "free keyword tools" to find others.
- Free Keyword Tool from Google Adwords
- SpyFu is FREE and allows you to put in an URL and see which keywords they are using as well as what actions they are taking on Google Adwords. Great for competitive research.
- Keywords Analyzer is a keyword research tool I've been using for over three years. It has some great features and costs $97. For more keyword power you can use it with an additional monthly subscription (under $20) which gives you lots of keyword search ability. Although people do rave about Wordtracker, it's $59 per month and really only worth it if it fits your ongoing business model.
- FREE URL Line Cloaker if you have a url that you don't want the people that are clicking on it to be able to read it you can use this free tool to change how it looks in the browser. The most practical application is to use if for affiliate programs.
Save Time and Money
Here are some of the tools and resources I use to manage my business.
- DeskAway is an online project management software that makes working with others easy. There are two ways I use it, both for business and personally. Personally it helped others help me during my breast cancer treatment - a friend would put in tasks like "pick up Eli from school Wednesday, 4 pm" and some could click off that they would do it. We could see who was doing it as well as once it was complete. In business I use it to collaborate with others - it saves me time and energy.
- Book: Take Back Your Life using MS Office and Outlook 2007 to get and stay organized by Sally McGhee. I can't tell you how many systems I've tried and this one actually works. It's because it's simple and uses color - and I'm visual. What's also cool is that I've can sync it with an iphone app called Toodledo which allows me to have everything where ever I go
- Free Conference Line that holds up to 200 people. You can record and post your calls to your blog, website or send a link in your newsletter. One additional idea is to record yourself and send helpful tips and tools to your clients.
- Cheap All Inclusive Phone Service - I switched to a low cost all inclusive VOIP phone service and pay $20 a month for everything: all long distance, voice mail, forwarding, as well as voice mail also comes as a recording in email.
- Stamps.com if getting to the post office to mail letters and packages is a hassle this is a home based service for you. For $15.99 per month you can print postage, send mailings, packages, and more.
- Want a Free Color Printer I learned about this program from a client that's a Realtor. You commit to making 2,000+ copies per month and you get a free beautiful xerox solid ink printer. If you're interested - ask your referrals to enter your referral code in the program code field on their application. Your referral code is: 74555 - I get some free printing supplies. It could be a win / win.
Build A Blog & Website Resources
- Go Daddy is a reputable company to set up your domain name. I like that they have a easy interface that you can easily set up hosting, forwarding a domain, etc. Also, I recommend that you don't have your domain at the same company as your website host. Email I'm happy to share why.
- Reliable and Inexpensive Web Hosting by Dreamhost. What I like about Dreamhost is that the interface is made for the non-techie person and is very easy to use.
- Reliable $1 Web Hosting by 3iX. I host a few sites here that I want up but that don't create income. The service is reliable and the least expensive I've found.
- Wordpress a FREE Website and Blog - are you looking for a professional website or blog that is professional, generates leads, YOU can easily change and maintain, and converts visitors to customers and won't break the bank? Once you log onto your web host check out "one step installs" and you should find wordpress right there and in a few minutes it will be installed.
- Wordpress Themes or WP Themes - be sure to "Google" this term. What you are looking for is a theme that has the look you want for your site.
- Wordpress Plugins - be sure to "Google" this term. Plugins are some of the features you can add to your blog - website.
- DIY Themes by Wordpress Expert Chris Pearson. Although there are a lot of free WP themes this one is not - but for less than $100 you get great SEO, a user forum and constant updates so you know that your site is up to date and relevant.
- WP Member Plugin I purchased Wordpress Member plug in to add a membership site to one of my sites.
- xSitePro Although I didn't purchase this website builder, it is because I fell in love with Wordpress. But, they continue to build and support this product and have great training materials. This website builder is for the newbie.
Hire a Freelance or Do It Yourself
- ODesk is where I found Ahmed - from Maksoft he manages a group of talented graphic, web designers, database work, and more. I don't get paid any thing by Ahmed other than in good will. He's responsive and timely - and may help you make the leap to hiring your first outsourced individual.
- Laughing Bird DIY Graphics is great for the artistically inclined. They have a variety of products from business card maker to logos, etc. Although I purchased this I often hire a freelance person at Odesk at $11+ per hour or create postcards, etc on Vistaprint.
- VistaprintEasily create and send postcards or make professional looking brochures, hats, pens, business cards and more. If you work with a group of people that want to access the same set of postcards and brochures but want to be able to add their own personal information, email and ask me how.
- CamStudioPro allows you to create online videos with low cost software at just $29. It's a low cost alternative to Camtasia and what I started with. I'm happy to show you examples, just ask.
- Camtasia is a great resource which allows you to make online training videos, audio, etc. It records your computer screen and audio, and has extensive editing features. I was up and running in a couple hours - the newest version is amazing. Also visit their training videos and blog for more help. Here's a link to the user forum. It costs $299.
STOP allowing your website to be the Best Kept Secret & Get Noticed aka SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Technorati you have a blog, now what? Getting listed here is a good step. Also Google "blog directories" and submit to the top 10.
- FREE Google PPC Ad Writing Tool ROI Revolution is a great resource in itself. They recently published a one page Google Adwords Writing Guide that will help you write PPC that gets results.
- FREE Link Popularity Tool is a great way to find out who is linking to you or your competitors because you want some of those links too. Good incoming links means higher search engine ratings.
- FREE SEO Tools such as keyword density, meta tags, incoming links, etc are all things that you want to know about.
STOP Being the Best Kept Secret & Get Noticed aka PR
- PR Web is a great way to get the word out and drive traffic to your website on a special event, program, etc. via a news release starting at $80.
- PR Leads.com is the fastest, easiest and a relatively inexpensive way to drive traffic, get speaking engagements, sell more books - set you up as an expert. They also have some other great products to market articles and yourself. In other words, they help you stop being the best kept secret.
- Want your articles to be noticed?This is a month to month service that gets your articles out there so that you can spend more time doing what you're good at doing.
- Publicity for Coaches Is one of the specialty areas you can find an easier road to building your credibility and brand.
- Training Registry get listed on the biggest online directory of trainers, coaches, speakers, consultants, seminars & workshops, training products, training facility rentals and other training resources
Interesting Sites - A Good Model to Follow
- Kathy Mallary Coach Extraordinare I known and worked with Kathy for years. Her site is a constant evolution of what new and effective - plus she has some damn good products.
- Nancy D Solomon is a peer in Seattle, her site and her blog are excellent examples to follow
- The Coffee Detective this site continues to evolve and grow. It's a good model of providing content and making money
Continue Your Online and Off-Line Education
- Teaching Sells is an amazing membership site with resources that will help you leverage what you know to create products and perhaps even a membership site. They also have content you can re-purpose. My favorite part is both the video tutorials because I like to see and experience. They only allow members in a couple times a year - so if you're interested simply put your name on the sign up form and once it's available check it out and see if it's for you.
- Robert Middleton's Web Site ToolKit My coach recommended Roberts Website ToolKit. It offers an easy to follow system with lots of examples to help you create a well thought out and written website.
- InfoGuru Manual I found Robert Middleton at least 7 years ago and have watched him continue to grow and transform his business. In the beginning he had less than 8,000 people who received his newsletter, now it's more than 5X that number. The InfoGuru Manual was one of his first products and is as relevant today as it was then - and it helps that he keeps it updated.
- Money Wise Women Get Smart Educational Series - I met Marcia Brixey about 6 years ago and have the opportunity to speak at both her Money Wise Women Forums and Small Business Workshops. Each month she interviews a speaker on a variety of topics that affect your life and business.
- The Science of Getting Rich Get a FREE copy of this classic ebook. It may help you look at how you think about being in business a bit differently.
- TUT or Totally Unique Thoughts is because sometimes you want a lift. I have an inspirational message waiting in my email everyday - of course you can tell them how often works for you. And did I mention it's free?
Miscellaneous Stuff You May Want To Know
- Opt Out of Yellow Pages and other directories. A person on LinkedIn asked "what you do with your directories?" and there were tons of comments, mostly negative. Obviously people don't know you CAN opt out save some frustration and perhaps even a tree or two. It's a manual process and will take 3 to 15 minutes depending upon how many directories you receive. FYI if you live in a larger city and are opting out of the Yellow Pages you may need to look for "Greater City Name" versus "Your City Name".
Disclaimer Please Read: Michele Corey and Advanced Approach