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Carmen Maranon
"Hey" "Guru Name Here"
You suddenly lose all your money, along with your name and reputation, and only have your marketing know-how left.
You have bills piled high and people harassing you for money over the phone.
Plus, you have a guaranteed roof over your head, a phone line, and an internet connection for only one month.
You no longer have your big guru name or JV partners. Other than your vast marketing experience, you're an unknown newbie.
What would you do, from day 1 to day 30, to save yourself?
Joe Kumar
ANSWER: By Carmen Maranon
This is an *emergency action plan* designed to quickly build and profit from your business with $0 cost. In addition, the techniques outlined below will enable you to establish yourself as a "friendly" authority in your market, allowing your prospects to lower their defenses and welcome your recommendations with confidence.
Day 1: Collect my thoughts... FOCUS.
Successful people make quick and definite decisions, and act on it immediately. I must decide NOW that I will succeed in getting myself out of this predicament and gaining everything back - and more. It is said that "thought, if supported by strong desire, is capable of transforming itself into REALITY."
I can't just go through the "motions" of reaching for my goals and expect to succeed. I must make a definite decision to succeed... a decision so strong that I practically assume I've already surpassed my goals.
"The only limits to our realizations of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Day 2: Find a large group of passionate people with money to spend.
Knowing very well that I shouldn't just choose a product to sell and then find people to sell it to, I begin my search for a hungry market.
I must be able to provide an immediate solution for a large group of people who are passionate about a specific problem. These people must have cash to spend, and they should be easily accessible. If you target a group of people with no money, you won't be making a profit any time soon. If you can't easily reach your market, then it will be very difficult to promote your products to them.
So first, I will point my browser to goodkeywords.com and download the free Good Keywords software. This will help me find out how many people are searching for certain information on the web. Once the program is running, I begin to look for keywords showing a large number of searches. I need to be as specific as possible (ie. instead of "skin care", explore "acne control" or "blemish treatment").
I've finally chosen "acne control" as my keyword phrase. There were 58,858 searches on that phrase last month, and 175,000 listings on Google groups! I also search on Amazon.com for books on "acne" and find 53.
I will now search for off-line publications on my target market using a free service like http://www.mediafinder.com/. Publishing an offline magazine is very expensive... so if one exists for your market, it means there are people buying the magazines, AND the products and services advertised in them.
NOTE: Find a large market, offer to solve their problem, and make sure what you sell is something that you know your customers will value more than the price they paid.
A very large group of people suffer from acne... they face this problem so passionately that they would try almost anything to make it go away. I need to provide them with a solution and price it so they'd feel ecstatic with how much I've overdelivered.
There are a few things I need to do before I continue:
Create a folder on my desktop and name it "acne solutions",
Create a bookmark/favorites folder in my browser named "acne sites",
Create an "acne lists" folder in my e-mail program,
Point my browser to http://www.paypal.com/ and open a free account, enabling me to accept credit card payments for whatever I decide to sell.
And finally, get an "idea notebook" to avoid being infected and distracted by the "Idea Virus". I have to keep my mind focused on one goal and see it through. If I happen to come up with ideas for another project, I'll write it down for later.
Day 3: Research the "wants" and "needs" of my target market.
Today I'll start looking for common questions and concerns.
I'll search for and subscribe to e-mail discussion lists pertaining to my market at http://groups.yahoo.com/, http://www.listtool.com/, http://www.coollist.com/, and http://www.discussionlists.com/. I'll set filters so e-mails coming from these lists are filed into my "acne lists" folder in my e-mail program.
Now I'll search for forums related to my market by typing "acne forums" in http://www.google.com/. I need to bookmark the forums I've found, as well as any newsgroups covering my topic found at http://www.google.com/grphp into my special "acne sites" folder in my browser for easy access.
Finally, I search the web for competitor websites to see how a business already established in this field approach the market. I carefully study their sales letters, subscribe to their newsletters, and bookmark their websites into my "acne sites" folder.
Now I have a good number of resources to begin my research. As I read through the posts and submissions, I take notes of ALL questions and answers presented through the forums, newsgroups, and discussion lists and save it to a text file in my "acne sites" folder on my desktop.
Day 4: Find solutions.
I open my file containing my notes of ALL questions, their answers, and unanswered questions I've found yesterday. I highlight the most frequently asked questions because they're what my target market is most concerned about, as well as most frequently asked questions that are unanswered, because those solutions would be priceless!
Now I'll take a break from my computer and head out to a bookstore. What I want to do is look for publications on my target market and take notes on articles and ads to get a feel for what they really want. Then, I visit the local library to research more magazines and their back issues. I'll also search for as many books on skin care and acne that I can and take out to study at home.
Now that I'm back home, I'll look for solutions to answers that have not been answered using the books from the library. I can also search online by using a keyword-phrase related to the question. I record all of this information in a text file I save in my "acne solutions" folder.
Day 5: Pick up the phone!
I want to hear directly from the dermatologists. Contributions from these professionals will add credibility to my final product.
I list the common questions and concerns.. including questions I could not find answers for, and arrange them in a questionnaire format.
I look through my local phone book for listings of dermatologists, and begin calling, asking for a quick interview with a physician. I'll want to interview at least 3. So far, the receptionists have told me the doctor will return my call later. I continue to call the remaining numbers on my list to be certain I will have a good number of callbacks.
As I'm nearing the middle of my list, the calls starts to come in. I explain that I'm researching for a book I'm writing on the topic of "acne control", and let them know they will be referenced in the book if I use the information they provide me.
GREAT! 6 physicians actually got a hold of me and volunteered (more called on "call waiting" as I was conducting an interview). I save the interviews into my "acne solutions" folder. Now I have advice and solutions from actual Authorities in this field!
Day 6-12: Crunch time!
It's time for some SERIOUS studying! Like cramming for a final, except if I fail, my electricity will get shut off. I'll go through all the information I've gathered, as well as the books from the library, and educate myself on this subject.
I want to introduce myself as an expert in skin blemishes by the end of the week, so I should be able to confidently provide detailed solutions to all questions and concerns that were raised in the forums, discussion lists, and newsgroups.
I will continue to visit the newsgroups, discussion lists, and forums, as well as review newsletters being published by competing sites during this time.
Day 13-15: Foot in the door...
Now that I know just about everything there is to know about the problems and solutions concerning acne, I need to established myself as an expert in this field.
I will "introduce" myself to my market by participating in discussions, and by offering advice to questions posted to the forums, e-mail lists, and newsgroups. I want to start building credibility and familiarity. Although I want to establish myself as an authority, I need to maintain a personal level with my market.
I continue to take notes on the questions being asked, answers provided, and questions that are left unanswered as I participate in these discussions. This will keep me busy by for the next 3 days.
Day 16: Drinks are on me!
Now I position myself as a friendly authority figure by writing a free, 10-part e-mail 'info series'/newsletter dealing with acne problems. Each part (article) should contain some interesting facts as well as simple remedies to control acne. It should be a quick read, but the information contained should be of high quality.
I want people to expect only the best information from me so when I offer a paid product or service, they won't doubt my recommendations.
I will also include a "recommended resource" guide in one of the followups, listing some products and services that were highly recommended by the dermatologists, online experts, and previous acne sufferers. (If any of the resources offers an affiliate program, I'll sign up for the extra cash!)
This will allow me to collect names and e-mail addresses to use for followups later. I want to build a personal relationship with my readers, so I will open each article with a "private" note from myself.
All I need to do now is to load my 10 daily articles into my account and I've completed setting up my follow up newsletter.
Free Tools: Setup your free e-mail followup account using getresponse.com, yourmailinglistprovider.com, or smartgroups.com.
Day 17: A public announcement brought to you by...
Now that I have my articles saved in my e-mail followup account, I need to promote this free information. I would do this by posting a personal introduction on the forums, discussion lists, and newsgroups.
This is NOT a sales pitch. The message is strictly to introduce myself to the market. I want to let them know I have several solutions for their skin blemish problems, and mention that a number of dermatologists have contributed their professional advice to assist me as well.
I'd include a few unique home remedies I've collected in my research, and a solution to one of the most common questions asked online, that have been left unanswered. I won't reveal all the solutions and information I've collected because I'll need them for my final product.
I'd also mention that on top of offering help at several forums, newsgroups, and e-mail lists, I'm here to help them any way I can, and they're free to contact me directly with their concerns.
The message ends by informing the reader about my free 10-day info series that addresses solutions to common acne problems. This includes instructions on how to subscribe.
I'm just beginning to activate the laws of reciprocation (I scratch your back and you scratch mine) and authority (I'm an expert in this field, so trust me and I'll help you).
Day 18-19: The birth of a new product.
Today I will gather all the information I've collected from my research and create a detailed outline for my product. I've decided to create an ebook on 'Solutions To Acne Ails'. I want my ebook to compliment my free info-series newsletter.
Now that I have my blueprint, I start creating my book. Each chapter will focus on a specific problem and it's solutions. I will include a directory of resources that were highly recommended by the dermatologists, online experts, and previous acne sufferers, and a special section that lists solutions to the most frequently asked questions that went unanswered.
After I've done putting my information together, it's time to make it look more professional. I don't want to distribute my information as a text document, so I browse to https://createpdf.adobe.com/ and convert it into a PDF format using Adobe's free service online. This format is platform independent, which means everyone will be able to download and read it.
Day 20: Introducing... ME!
I've finished creating my 55 page ebook, and decided to sell it for $24.00.
I go to paypal.com and create an order link for my product. I will use a free short URL redirection service to shorten the paypal link.
Free Tools: shorturl.com (you can have: http://you.shorturl.com as well as http://anything.you.shorturl.com) and tinyurl.com
I'll go back to my e-mail followup account and add a small signature line mentioning my ebook at the end of each article. Each ad will focus on a different benefit (what it will do for them), a reason why they need to buy it from me now, and the order link I created.
Now, I take my personal introduction I wrote a few days earlier and submit it to the forums, newsgroups, and discussion lists I've been frequenting. I'm NOT trying to sell anything through this message. I'm simply extending my help to anyone who might have questions regarding acne.
As I submit my introduction, I'm also collecting the names and e-mail addresses of those answering most of the questions into an "expert.txt" file and save that into my "acne solutions" folder on my desktop. I will need this later.
Day 21: My good deeds have not gone unnoticed!
I immediately find 3 orders sitting in my e-mail box! That's $72.00 right off the bat!
I've received a few subscribers, and some personal e-mail asking for help. I reply to both the personal e-mails and new subscribers. I'd assure them that I'm here to help, and throw in a subtle reference to my new book (in my book, I give detailed instructions on how to...)
Some people have sent me questions by e-mail without subscribing to my free newsletter. I make it a point to suggest they do so. That's where they'll find my signature line promoting my ebook ad and order link !
The personal contact paid off because by the end of the day, I made 5 more sales... $120.00! That's a total of 8 sales... $192.00 already!
{ TOTAL PROFIT: $192.00 }
Day 22: Kickin' my free e-mail series up a notch!
I found 12 more sales for $288.00 in my inbox this morning! That's a total of 20 sales... $480.00 so far!
Now, I will search for "free newsletter directory" in google.com and begin submitting my e-mail newsletter (the free info series) to the appropriate directories.
When I'm finished, I will find sites that accept articles by typing "ezine article directory" in google.com, and submit each article separately. This is where editors search for new content for their ezines!
I will also visit a free directory of ezines such as http://www.ezinesearch.com and search for ezines in my market. After reviewing their article submission guidelines, I will submit my articles directly to the ezines editors in my target market. I'll take note of the names of all ezines I contact and the names and e-mail addresses of the editors into a text file which I will save in my "acne solutions" folder on my desktop.
!! I need to remember to leave my signature line at the end of each article mentioning my ebook!
I continue to offer help in the forums, newsgroups, and discussion lists, as well as offer answers to requests I receive by e-mail.
{ TOTAL PROFIT: $480.00 }
Day 23: Press Release.
I'm greeted by 7 new sales in my inbox! That's another $168! A total of 27 sales... $648 to date!
Today, I will begin writing my press release. My announcement will direct readers to my free info series. I type "free press release distribution" at google.com and submit to the 3 services listed:
http://www.prweb.com/
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/
http://www.free-press-release.com/
Obviously, the personal help I'm offering as a knowledgeable friend, is paying off. I continue offering help in the forums, newsgroups, discussion lists, and privately by e-mail.
{ TOTAL PROFIT: $648.00 }
Day 24: Joint Ventures with ezine publishers.
I take out my list of ezine editors that I saved when submitting my articles. Keeping in mind that ezine publishers receive 5-15 JV proposals each and every day, I need to make my offer so delicious the publisher will feel as though they will lose if they pass up my offer.
So, instead of the ole 45%-50% commission, I offer them 100% commission on the first 5 ebooks they sell, and 50% commission for sales thereafter, IF they agree to send my endorsement to their subscribers within the next 48 hours.
:: Sample JV Proposal Letter ::
Hello [ NAME ],
My name is Carmen Maranon. I have recently released my new ebook, 'Solutions To Acne Ails' and would like to propose to you, an incredible deal that will make money for both of us.
I am offering you 100% commission for sales of the first 5 ebooks at $24.00, if you will broadcast an endorsement for my ebook within the next 48 hours.
That's a total profit of $120.00, which is more than the rate you are currently asking for to run a solo ad!
After the initial 5 sales, I will share 50% of the profits made from additional ebook sales.
Please let me know if you'd like to receive a free copy of the ebook for your review. Say the word, and I will immediately forward the PDF file to you as an e-mail attachment.
If you would prefer for me to write the endorsement letter, please let me know. I'd be more than happy to do so!
I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully yours,
Carmen Maranon
carmen@MarketingChick.com
Now, I contact the 27 people who purchased my ebook so far, and ask how the book has helped them. I will request permission to use their kudos to include as testimonials in my followups as well as my e-mail signature line.
Finally, I'd open my file containing contact information of the experts on the forums, newsgroups, and discussion lists, and offer them my ebook for free in exchange for their feedback and testimonials. I'll also include these testimonials in my followup articles.
Day 25: The answer is...
Another 9 orders raising my total to 36 sales and $864.00!
14 of the editors I contacted with my proposal replied with an A-OK! My ad will go out to their entire subscriber lists tomorrow! I set up 14 new paypal links and attached each order link to a separate link tracker using a free service such as http://urllog.com/.
On top of that, my press release submission was accepted by all 3 services and will be published in the next 48 hours!
{ TOTAL PROFIT: $864.00 }
Day 26: JV's with webmasters.
14 publishers sent out an endorsement for my free report and ebook today, and already I see my subscription rate to my free info series shoot up!
Now I want to contact websites ranking high on search engines under my keyword phrase, as well as webmasters who purchased sponsor ads on the search results pages and send them my "can't refuse" JV proposal!
Day 27: MOOLAH!
Sales and subscribers are starting to come in from my JV's with ezine publishers.
Money and subscribers are POURING in like mad from my press releases! I've made $1,320.00 in sales today, and there more to come! I keep 100% of the profit from these sales! That's a total profit of $2,184.00 to date!
4 webmasters have contacted me about my JV proposal with an A-OK! My ad will go out to their subscriber lists tomorrow! I set up 4 more paypal links and attached each order link to a separate link tracker just like I did for the ezine editors.
I continue to keep personal contact via the forums, newsgroups, lists, and e-mail. I'm doing a great job building a relationship with everyone. This is great for credibility and familiarity! It's much easier for people to accept a recommendation for a pay product from a friend, than a sales pitch from a salesman!
{ TOTAL PROFIT: $2,184.00 }
Day 28: The BIG day!
First thing in the morning... I purchase a domain name (describing my market... acneails.com, blemishexpert.com, etc.) and a website from an affordable and reliable company like Host4Profit.
Then, I'd browse to websitebilling.com and sign up for a free account to accept credit cards and set me up with an affiliate program for my ebook!
These should all be ready to go by tomorrow!
I've made a total of 210 sales = $5,040 from my ezine JV's BEFORE the publishers' cut. After taking out the publishers' cut (for the sake of making this easier to understand) 5x14=70, 70x$24=$1680 goes to the 100% commission pool. 50% of remaining $3360 = $1,680! Making a total of $3,864 profit so far!!
With the $3,864 I've made so far, I've paid all of my bills and things are looking up! Actually, it can only get better...
{ TOTAL PROFIT: $3,864.00 }
Day 29: "I would rather earn 1% of 100 people's efforts..."
"...than 100% of my efforts alone!" - J. Paul Getty
My webhost and domain name is ready, and so is my credit card/affiliate account! I'll follow the simple instructions for setting up the affiliate signup and management which WebsiteBilling has sent me, and post it on my new site using the Host4Profit handy-dandy control panel.
I've purchased an affordable ebook compiler/rebrander such as ebookpaper.com and created a short ebook on acne solutions including an order link to my ebook and a subscription link for my followup series.
I'm ready to send a message to my subscribers announcing my new affiliate program, inviting them to earn a commission from the ebook sales. It's free to join, PLUS, they get a free gift! It's a special free ebook which comes with rights to rebrand (customize) it with their name, e-mail, and website address free of charge, and they can give it away to their own visitors!
Best part is, they have my permission to replace my order link with their own affiliate link, and earn commission whenever someone purchases my ebook through their link!
I'm not finished yet! I'll search google.com for "free ebook directories" and begin submitting my ebook to as many directories I can find. Then, I go back to all forums, newsgroups, and discussion lists I frequent and give them a "heads up" about my free ebook.
Now THAT's viral marketing : )
By the end of the day, I've made an additional $1,440.00 raising my total profit to $5,340.00! Imagine, over $5,000.00 starting with ZERO CASH! And now that I have money to invest in some software and tools that will help me with my business, the possibilities are endless!!
{ TOTAL PROFIT: $5,340.00 }
Day 30 and beyond...
It's the end of the month, and I'm caught up with my bills, I've got money in the bank, and there's more of it rolling in!!
Once my press releases are picked up by editors, I'll include their write-ups about me in my followup messages! This will build even more credibility, giving my subscribers who have not yet ordered that extra "nudge".
I'll continue what I've been doing, while searching for more places to circulate myself. I'd also start adding more to my product line such as exclusive interviews with experts, recommended resource guides, and any other idea I can come up with!
Now that I have a website, I can even begin purchasing ezine solo ads through JV's with other webmasters. I'll offer to split the cost with 4 other participants and place an ad for their site on my advertised webpage and followup sales messages. By doing this, I get the ad for 1/5 the actual cost, and keep 100% of the profit from my sales!!
I can even start all over with a completely different market! Anything is possible! Remember... an idea is just as strong as the mind and determination behind it!
{ TOTAL PROFIT: $6,000.00 + }
True story?
It's what *I* did several years ago when we were caught in a deep financial slump... my husband was laid off, and I just started my Internet business so sales were non existent. We were hitting close to $0 in our bank account, our phone line was cut off, and we were about to lose our electricity and our home. I threw together a very similar "emergency business plan" to promote a common consumer product, borrowed a kind neighbor's computer and Internet access, and we were back on our feet with much to spare within 4 weeks.
Success was my only option.
To your Happiness and Success!
"Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements." - Napoleon Hill
This article is supplied for information purposes only and, as experienced in this subject matter as the contributors are, the material herein does not constitute professional business advice.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and the contributors are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
The reader is advised to consult with an appropriately qualified business professional before making any business decision. The contributors, Joe Kumar and JoeKumar.com do not accept any responsibility for any liabilities resulting from the business decisions made by readers of this article.
copyright © Joe Kumar and JoeKumar.com
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