Hear the podcast. Hear Greg Cesar talk about online marketing on the Synergy Energy Show

Website Design Success – Understanding the Difference Between Graphics and Marketing
The secret to web design success is to strike the balance in using graphics. You must find a way to make an appealing website and at the same time increase conversion rate. It is false to assume that an attractive website translates to better conversion. So how do you ensure web design success through the use of graphics?

* The F-pattern. Understanding how people typically read web sites is the key to web design success. Studies have shown that people follow the F-pattern when browsing web pages. This means that the eye flow starts from the top to the left side. The right side is more often than not ignored. Also, people have learned not to notice the topmost heading of the website. This syndrome is called “banner blindness.” Because advertising banners are often displayed here, people have trained themselves to ignore this portion.

* Relevant text – Supporting Graphics. People put more weight in relevant content and tend to remember information more than eye-catching graphics. So does this mean you don’t need graphics at all? Not at all. Your graphics should support your relevant content to achieve maximum impact.

* High-resolution Images – Another tip towards web design success is to include graphics that do not compromise your site loading time. However, this doesn’t mean you cannot use high-resolution images. Nothing turns off buyers more than a low resolution image. The right way to display high resolution images is to break them down so that they don’t affect your loading time. Another way is to use thumbnails that users can click if they want to see your images up close.

* Alternate text – In order to market your products effectively, you have to rank well in search engines. When using graphics, you should include an alternate text so that it won’t affect your page rank. This will allow even your images and videos to be indexed in the search engines.

* The Right Way to Display - Take the time to think about what consumers look for in your product in order to provide graphics that move them to buy your product. This means that if you are selling clothes, they will be sold well if people will see them on real people.

Ultimately, web design success boils down to knowing your target audience and their needs. When you address these needs, you’ll be more than able to keep your existing customers and to generate new ones.

Which one of these 11 web design mistakes will you make? Claim your Free Report at: http://www.webdesignmistakes.com.

As a veteran guest of hundreds of talk radio shows, I can tell you that radio is one of the best free promotional tools available to virtually anyone selling a product or service. I discovered the magic of free radio marketing in the 1990s after writing my first book. Looking for an inexpensive way to get publicity and sales I sort of stumbled into a goldmine – and a free publicity course I purchased served as an excellent pick and shovel to mine the gold.

Talk radio is still very popular today. Radio hosts are always looking for interesting guests. If you offer something that would be of interest or benefit a large audience, you’re probably a first-rate candidate as a guest. And you don’t have to be plugging a book to make it on talk radio. Sure, you’ll often hear authors talking about their books, but any topic with wide appeal can get you bookings if you’re smart about how you present yourself.

The formula is easy. If you’re promoting something to a local market you’ll need a list of local radio stations. If you’re looking for a national audience you’ll be looking for a national database. From here, it’s really simple. You or someone acting on your behalf simply calls the station seeking the producer or host of the show where you’d like to appear. Explain what you have to offer in the way of a good show. Some people are shy talking about themselves in this way. No problem. Simply call as a representative of yourself. Yep. Speak about you in third person. And keep this in mind, the show needs you as much as you need the show.

I learned something interesting in the early going and it paid off in thousands of sales when I needed them most. It was my sole job in any radio interview to make the host look as brilliant as possible in the eyes of his listeners. When you go a great show you make the host and producer look like geniuses. And there’s an obvious benefit to you. When you do a great show everyone benefits. The listeners get great information. You sell your products. And the host looks good in the eyes, or ears if you will, of the listeners. And you’ll often get invited back.

So how can you accomplish all of these things? Practice getting good at delivering excellent information. I’ve found the story format is best. When I was describing the methods in my first book, one devoted to showing people how to get a great deal when buying a home, I’d use real examples. People like true stories, especially where the underdog wins. I was able to illustrate the fact that regular people could use my techniques to buy property way under market. Since many folks don’t see themselves as being able to pull something like this off, they are intrigued when they hear stories of others who actually have. In other words, if one regular person can do it, they can.

Along those lines, gather stories of people you’ve helped. It doesn’t matter if you’re an accountant, personal coach, the pastor of a church, dog groomer, or marshal arts instructor. I’d be willing to bet you’ve made a difference in someone’s life, and that’s your angle. Before you approach the talk show circuit, map out your unique approach, gather your stories, and practice. This isn’t hard but it does take some preparation – unless, of course, you’re already a natural storyteller.

If you plan on using this method of free publicity you might want to set up a little sales system because many talk show hosts are more than willing to help you plug your product or service. So having a toll-free number to call or a Website where they can buy is a must. One more thing, make up a list of questions you want the interviewer to ask you. That makes things easy for the both of you. And by all means, don’t be nervous. Most interviews are done by phone so you’ll be able to have a cheat sheet close by. Keep it conversational as though you’re talking to a friend. After all, you are.

The article you’ve just read is little more than a brief outline of the entire story. Yes, getting free radio publicity to promote your products is simple and you can easily use it too. To get the rest of the story and discover how to entirely avoid the trial and error process, visit: http://www.freepromostory.com

Many authors receive thousands of dollars worth of free publicity by

publishing articles and excerpts from their book in other publications. Writing

your book is only one step in the process of establishing yourself as an expert in

your field.

Once your book is written, make a plan to promote it using the

following venues, and begin formatting your writing to fit in the appropriate

publication.

1. Books that relate to your subject can include quotes from your book as a

reference. Keep an eye out for other authors writing books who will surely

need reference material for their own writing. Also,books that include

stories from multiple authors can be a great marketing tool to promote you

as a writer as well as promoting your book.

2. Seminar handouts that you use when you are giving a presentation can be

an excellent way to keep your name and your book in front of the reader.

Provide the audience with interesting materials written by you to take

home and read.

3. Trade publications will print articles relating to your book that are relevant

to the specific industry. Research to find out which publications and

journals will fit your topic best and submit your articles to the appropriate

departments for considerations.

4. Magazines can provide mass exposure to a targeted audience for your

book. Call the advertising department and ask for a copy of their editorial

calendar. This free resource will allow you to see where your topic fits into

their schedule. Once you see where your story fits, email or write the editor

of that section to present your story idea. This must be done several

months in advance to make sure there is plenty of time to include your

story.

5. Local and national newspapers are always looking for story ideas. Tie your

book in to current events or trends to make it newsworthy. Try to stay off

the Book page, and try to get your book featured in the sections that are

more widely read.

6. Community newspapers and journals usually come out on a weekly and

monthly schedule, so an article reprint has the opportunity to be highly

read. Make a list of all the smaller community newspapers within a 50 mile

radius of your city. Submit your article to all potential sources.

7. Newsletters that are related to your book topic provide a reader base

interested in learning more and will eagerly read your article. Find out

what newsletters are mailed out to specific subscribers,as well as online

newsletters that may consider reprinting your article or excerpt.

8. E-zines are growing in popularity online. Try to get your article reprinted in

as many e-zines as possible. The more people who read your article, the

more possible book sales you will make.

(see mine: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pam_Perry)

9. Your own website & blog is a necessary location to place articles for publishers of

e-zines, newsletters, magazines, and newspapers to retrieve. Your own

readers will enjoy learning more about your book topic and will visit your

website more often if you add valuable information for them to read.

10. Other websites & blogs that allow you to post your articles and excerpts for their

visitors are a great resource to spreading the message of your book.

Visit www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com today for more resources, tools, and coaching. Or get PR Coaching at www.PRbootcamponline.eventbrite.com

Don’t forget to go to the store. New PR Products are added every week.

www.e-junkie.com/pamperry – get the “Get out there” Kit there!

Step 1: Define your target audience.

Who is your main customer? What do they look like? What do they watch? Listen to? What other media do they consume? The more research you do the more you can identify and target your ideal customer to BUY YOUR BOOK!

Step 2: What’s your PLATFORM? Find your “book hook.” What message are you marketing?

Get your message “out there!” But what do you want to say? Are you an expert? An evangelist? Do you want to position yourself as a “brain” or a “creative” – or do you have endorsements that will speak volumes for you? Who you have endorse you will “pin point” how you will be perceived/branded in the market. Make sure your message that you communicates makes the media say “wow” and not yawn. Examine yourself and find your unique selling position. Why is your book worthy of media attention?

Step 3: Build a media “wish list”

We would all love to be on Oprah, Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey and TBN…that’s a for sure best-seller status. But starting out, get a focused, realistic media database that reaches the core target audience. What do you read, watch and listen to? Do you really know the media? Google the media you know matches your platform. Look up other authors in your genre and Google them to see where they have had media hits. Put those on your “wish list” and go and find those same reporters/stations. No need buy expensive media lists and doing mass mailings – that is old school and doesn’t work.

Here are some Eblast services/media to look at:
(targeting the African-American and faith-based African-American markets)
BlackGospelPromo.com
DetroitGospel.com
GoodGirlBookClubOnline.com
UrbanGospelPromo.com
GospelCity.com
BlackBookPromo.com
UrbanRoundUp.com
GospelEblast.com
GospelEFlyer.com
TheLoopOnline.com
MIProductions.org
GospelTruthMagazine.com
CushCity.com
UrbanGospelPromo.com
GospelFlava.com
Rawsistaz.com
MosaicBooks.com (300 BookClubs)
FriendshipProductions
GospelFruits.com
Izania.com
BlackChristianbookpromo.com
Gospeltube.com
Blacknews.com
Christianbookbuzzonline.com

Step 4: Create dazzling press materials

If you’re trying to pitch Essence, “O” magazine or your local weekly neighborhood newspaper, you better come correct. You only have one chance to make a first impression. Get customized press kit folders if doing mailing. Or get graphics help to design your EPK (electronic press kit). But whatever you do, get great author photos. A picture is worth a thousand words – and a “glamour” shot will get you noticed. Even in the Christian market, sex appeal sells. Make sure your press releases, fact sheets, articles and pitch letters stand out from the crowd and “position” yourself. BRAND!
Great error-free press material is the foundation to a good campaign.

Step 5: Media contact – they are your friends.

How do you meet the media? Go where they go. Go to conferences where you know media will be there like the Gospel Heritage Conference, The PowerNetworking Conference, The Stellar Awards, ICRS (formerly CBA) and even the regional/local National Black Association of Black Journalists. Not a bad idea to even join as an associate member. You’re a writer, right? Networking and building relationships is critical. If you can meet them, keep in contact by commenting on their work – so they know you’re just not “begging” allllllll the time – but really are an educated media consumer. (Also get their name right!)

When you prove yourself as an “expert” and dependable source of information, you get reporters to contact you over and over. And they will tell their friends about you because you will become known as a good source.

But never brow beat and badger a reporter/producer with unwanted phone calls, faxes or E-mails – that’s a quick way to make an enemy with the whole industry. If they don’t respond, ask them why and then move on. There are tons of other media that will reach your target market. Use your time and energy wisely and don’t be a pain – and when you really have something to contact them about – just a quick email is all that is needed.

For more info go to: www.pamperryonlinepr.com

See youtube.com/pamperry1 too for videos