Message From jl

Hi Everyone!

WELCOME to all of our new subscribers, this week! We truly appreciate you! "Trade Journal Subscribers are THE BEST!"

My deepest thanks to all of you who expressed your sympathy to me over the loss of my little duckling, Alex. Yes, I will tell you what happened, because it's something everyone should be aware of - it can be generalized to many things.

But, not yet. My heart still hurts to even think of him. It seemed like such a cosmic mistake.

How Do I Start an Online Business?

I'm asked this question frequently. People tell me they ask me because they trust me. And, I can be trusted. I will NEVER recommend programs or processes I find in any way unethical, or even “iffy.”

At one time, I had the pat answers to the question. Ten years ago, it was all relatively simple.

• Find your niche
• Set up a business
• Create a product and/or
• Find your niche-related affiliate products
• Create a website and get it online
• Set up payment processing
• Build an email list

In fact, that's exactly what I did. The first nine months, I sold a product I had created. Then, I saw a need, decided to fill it and the first iCop (with a different name) was born.

Back then, we did what was called “relationship marketing.” I had spent nine months building relationships with other web site owners. That gave me a ready market.

I still do it, but things have changed. Let's discuss the challenges, then, we'll discuss the solutions.

Much has been ruined by canned meat merchants and unethical internet marketing gurus. But, that isn't the entire reason. Everything changes with growth, and the WWW has GROWN!

Google Ads

At one time, i-cop.org registered in the top 9,000 for worldwide traffic on Alexa. Now, we're at 439,000. Sad, eh?

Not really. This isn't because our traffic has changed that much - it's because there are SO many websites, now. In fact, Google Ads is responsible for a lot of it.

People threw up websites - thousands and thousands of them - for very narrow categories like throwing spaghetti against the wall. Then, they collected money from Google for advertising related Google Ads.

That IS a legitimate way to earn money online. But, it makes traffic ranks go through the floor.

Just put “Google AdSense” in Google to find out how to do it.

Internet Marketing

“Internet Marketing” also started out as a legitimate income source online. Sadly, a few “gurus” pretty much ruined it for everyone else with their sleazy behavior and, in some cases, strong-arm tactics.

Raking in thousands of dollars for conferences where they only teach PART of their systems, and leave out important details was a new low - even for them. That continues to this day.

Canned Meat

And, of course, the “S” word. We've ALWAYS had canned meat. It isn't even those sending it who ruined email. It's those who opposed them to the point of hysteria.

The anti-spammers' hissy fits finally brought us The Can-Spam Act. They wanted a law - they got it. Be careful what you ask for! Now it's been declared LEGAL to send it, provided you follow a few rules.

This works for those sending millions of ads but NOT for those trying to send legitimate newsletters and/or ezines. When you send a million emails, you don't care if Yahoo or Comcast blocks some of them. If you're sending a few thousand, it cuts into your profit.

Joining Programs

I know you can find tons of programs on the Web that claim to make you money. However, I've never recommended them, and I never will.

That isn't to say there might not be some good ones. (Please do NOT send me yours.) The problem is you probably won't find out until someone has already taken your money.

Build a Website

It IS much easier to build a website these days. We have automatic programs out there to do this for you. (Put “Website Builders” in Google.”) You can also find free templates, graphics, etc. using Google.

Your Mail List

I still believe email lists are the best way to market online. However, it's become much more complicated than it used to be.

First, you have to build the list - then, you have to get your subscribers to actually READ what you send. That can take all KINDS of acrobatics.

The CAN-SPAM Act actually increased canned meat at least 10 times. Folks are on overload with email.

The Solutions

I know I'm not giving you answers, here. That's because there's so much information out there still teaching what we did 10 years ago. I want you to be aware of the changes so you don't spin your wheels.

Also because ... I no longer HAVE all the answers. I don't believe any of the “Olde Guard” has ALL the new answers, either! But, what I DO have is an organization full of pros.

So, I'm going to ASK - then, we'll put this all together.

If YOU were going to start working online for the first time TODAY,

1) What steps would you take?
2) What actions would your plan include?
3) How would you market?

Just copy and paste the questions above into an email and send to:

jlscott@i-cop.org?subject=NewBusiness

I want to keep this fairly simple. We don't need a lot of detail so I'm not asking for an eBook - just the basics of getting started, TODAY.

HOW do they get started, TODAY?

We have folks out there who NEED to use the WWW to make a living - or to add to their income. Let's see if we can give them some REAL help for the current times!

Please participate in this - it's important!

FREE Download

My gift to you, today:

77 Ways to Give Your Business the WOW Factor

Discover useful tips and tactics on how to brand your business and make you stand out from your competition.

http://www.OnlineBusinessTradeJournal.com/dl/WOW.pdf

Have a fabulous week and ... keep on keepin' on!

  jl

P.S. Do YOU have the iCop seal on ALL your web sites? Scammers abound in a depressed economy. You will need the credibility of your iCop membership NOW, more than ever!

Use the iCop Seal on Every Site You Own at NO Extra Cost!

Join iCop Today!

I really want to hear from you! Tell me what you think!

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Thank You For Reading!  Have a Terrific Week!

Online Business Trade Journal™ is published solely by dr. jl scott, Director of the International Council of Online Professionals (iCop) and may not reflect the opinion of all iCop members.

Material in the "Leaving You With a Smile" column may be copyrighted by unknown persons.

We accept no responsibility for your use of any contributed information contained herein. All of the information presented in the Online Business Trade Journal™ is published in good faith. Any comments stated in this newsletter are strictly the opinion of the writer or publisher.

We publish all advertising in good faith but offer no guarantees. Please do your own due diligence in ANY transaction.

We reserve the right to edit and make suitable for publication, if necessary, any articles published in this newsletter.

We reserve the right to publish all reader comments, including the name of the writer. Reported survey results will NOT use the names of the contributors.

Copyright © 2009 jl scott, ph.d., Director
International Council of Online Professionals (iCop™)
All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the express written consent of the publisher or contributors.

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