Monday 25 February 2008

Next Generation Of Internet Home Business

"Internet Home Business" is the in thing nowadays.

In a way it's good for the market, as more players invariably means more sales and turnover.

Over the last few years there has been a huge growth in the numbers of people working from home. This has been caused by the increased use of the Internet and mobile phones facilitating the ability to work wherever we like. There are obvious advantages to home or remote working. The most important being the work-life balance is much improved without the time wasted going to work every day on the congested roads.

I am also in this jig and although I try to put in my two pennies worth now and then.

But what really amazes me is when some newbie comes and joins a forum where you happened to be a member as well. The next thing you know of is that, he has struck gold and that too within a three month period and people are discussing his methods in the forum.

This is the same guy, who cannot spell straight, excuses himself for his ignorance apart from the language flaws, and yet on the third month he is rolling.

How do they do it ?

I have asked myself this question couple of times and still not found a sensible answer. There is no planning, there is no organizing, no budgets, no schedules, and no books to follow by and yet the guy is rolling.

One of the main reasons is of course Adsense, and the other is the bits and pieces of advise he picks up from forums.

And the best part is that he quits when the going is good - why ?

Because most of these businesses fall apart quickly and if at all it succeeds.

And even if the business sustains itself after that, it is because of the capacity of the person who purchased it in the first place, who incidentally is recognized as a nobody.

It is interesting to note these fresh new things aged between 18 and 25, talking about Google and Affiliate Marketing just like they were inbred into it. But what really fascinates me is that these new blokes are quick learners. Not only they know how to get around the market fast but also learn the so-called "tricks", as if it was their back lane.

I have read in forums of such people-making killing through Adsense earnings within their first three months that leave their seniors and experienced colleagues with their mouths open.

Doesn't matter what methods they used as long as it is within the "rules" (Besides, as mentioned earlier, these guys have an amazing talent to quit and sell just before any trouble sets in)

Now, when you say "tricks", it sort of leaves a bad taste in your mouth, as if you are not supposed to use those methods.

But they view it as your incapability to learn those methods, and to a large extent I find myself agreeing with them. Not because, you should practice it, but these so called methods, should be known by most players, whether they use them or not. Some of the experienced players even list them in their black book.

No wonder they are a hot topic at forums !

Now, we know that in every aspect of business rule, there is a loophole. So it is interesting to note that a lawyer is referred to as qualified, when he finds "a loophole". Likewise, any new bloke who finds such loopholes online should be at least given some credit, rather than out casting them at forums, where he or she spills out such methods.

Anyway, without such methods, the whole shebang would come down. For any firewall there must be a code-breaker, otherwise how are we going to improve on our security aspects?

So, in any case, it is only good for the market as a whole

For the past year, I have been researching ways to make money on the Internet and although people are becoming rich through online marketing and home business, it is interesting to note that nearly 90% of affiliates never get a regular check of any size.

You also have a home business and yet you never seem to make money online. You dabble in affiliate marketing, Google AdWords, try out every new PPC strategies, ClickBank strategies, Adsense strategies and just about any other method on how to make money with Google, yet you never seem to make alot of money and that internet treasure chest is no where in sight. Even joining a make money online forum doesn't seem to help, but still there are new kids on the bloc who waltz in and within a few months they are making money.

Then you begin to think about a generation gap and whether this is the real work from home business ?

Besides, I am still someone, who is trying to break in to the affiliate marketing elite club. What I mean to say is that I still haven't started receiving regular checks !

Whether it is embarking on joint ventures, setting up affiliate program websites, or marketing your own product or service online, it takes time, persistence, focus, and yes, at least a small amount of cash (relative to setting up a brick and mortar business) to build a business online.

That's not to say it can't be done.

Nevertheless, there definitely is cash to be made online.

In fact, Rosalind Gardner began part-time at first, and is the real deal in going from zero to a six-figure income online. Like the successful players, there are an equal number of failures. Not because they were unfit, but they just couldn't sustain themselves - in short, they quit ! What I mean to say is that on a scale of 500, if only 10 guys names are constantly featured, what happens to the rest? So the success percent advertised is hardly (2 %), and I would advise you to put away your plans of building castles.

There is also another aspect to this so-called home business - that it doesn't suit everyone.

Being alone day after day with no social interaction can be very lonely. For those individuals prone to depression working from home can become a nightmare with the distinction between work and home becoming a blur. While it is not for everyone, working from home is ideal for self-starters who can discipline themselves so that there is a clear distinction between work and home.

Other considerations to take into account before beginning to work at home include making sure the type of work is adaptable to home-working. Security of information and data protection should also be a high priority.

While I understand that there is a strong desire to change directions to start an online career, spending thousands during the early stages is a tough way to start.

But please note there are no instant riches on the Internet (no matter what you have read above - this is a market and like all market it is susceptible to changes)

In short, I am not here to tell you about the successful affiliates presently in the market, nor am I going on to rave on about successful home businesses. That is your homework.

So invest your few dollars very carefully, and build it slowly over time.

Please also note that the only benchmark to assess this success, is their income or turnover. If their product or service had been given much importance, their success rating would have been mostly calculated on their turnover over a period.

What I am trying to emphasize here is that any kid with a mammoth turnover over a three month period can be classified as equally successful, if not more.

Now this just goes further to prove another point. The basic ingredients we need to start and survive in the affiliate market are the following; A product or service (obvious). Its source is not a priority. Which means that you can identify a product or service being offered by someone else, and market it as your own - through a resale rights option.

You don't have to be well versed in the service the product offers, but have a basic "sales" idea of same, which of course can be obtained through partner sites and parallel products

The objective is to start something, breakeven, and then slowly increasing/ diversifying the range.

The net is no more a smooth talking arena, where you can sell just about anything, because buyers are becoming more aware of its potential

Therefore, it is not shameful to admit your ignorance in certain areas, rather than confirming same by making a fool of yourself. Forums are the best examples here. You can member of many forums, express your ignorance and most of the people are only more than willing to help you.

I find it hard to believe those who can predict Internet market movements. As it is so difficult to come to terms with the concept of interacting through a machine, let alone with the mood swings of identities around you and a live machine and a 'ive net.

Either adapt to what the Internet has to offer, or you will fail if you try to force it down the throats of those visiting your site on the Internet seems to be the bottom line.

Now is there a method to this madness ?

Primarily, try and use the Internet as a way to collect as much information that identifies related processes.

If possible, target a specific market. Then surf, surf as much you can. Enjoy it while it lasts - because in the future you would be surfing with a purpose. It is during your innocent stage that you collect most of the information. Bookmark information on a daily basis - don't bother to analyze the pattern - if the thought of "analyzing data" persists - then your surfing days are over. Its better to get down to business

Now that you have collected as much information, try to identify related processes.

Also try and keep in touch with those contacts who respond. Doesn't matter whether the response is positive or negative.

Next, try and position those links (which have survived this exercise) in to your marketing strategy. Eventually leveraging this information, you should be able to gradually develop a mind share and appreciation in your processes.

You should slowly begin to know the business models that are working and how to leverage into your own venture.

Now, you would be amazed that at a later stage - these sites that you have book marked would answer to over 60% of your doubts. They seemed to have developed a sense to spontaneity, which at a primitive stage, is hard to fathom.

It is also important that you don't start building your revenue streams by focusing on short-term results.

In other words, work like a kid for the first three months and enjoy yourself

Then slowly start organizing yourself, if you find the whole thingy interesting. Remember, you can also try and make a short-term killing, if you play those cards right by cashing in on the opportunities (i.e., net fluctuations)

This is where these new kids come tops; the whole process excites them.

They know the structure than most average players. Besides, they have multiple skills and fewer commitments. This is what sustains them, besides taking smooth and taking a bit of risk and sometimes bending the rules. Can't blame them, it's all in the game. End of the day, they are the ones who are laughing!

In short, this only helps you get a feel of the market; understand its way of functioning. Now the most important factor is don't try and build your system in line with your relative pain points and the NET.

Now keep on tweaking, as there is much perfection to be acquired after this.

Of course you can always try - but I tell you it never works. The best way to exemplify this is through contextual advertising. It responds very well to the net fluctuations (in short, it is alive). But if you try fudging here, the likely chances are that it will eat up your information.

Of course, you can always start multiple sites between a span of 3 to 6 months, after which you can sell them off. But you never realize your objective with this. But, you can use it as a supplemental income.

Now, you would be amazed that at a later stage - the information collected would have over 60% to your marketing hiccups.

So start modeling yourself from the new kids on the block. If you want to be like them, identify a few processes, analyze them quickly, make your kill, and diversify fast

Is this the next generation of the "Internet Home Business" ?

Friday 15 February 2008

Reverse Search, Address And Phone Lookup

If you need to locate someone nowadays, all you need to have is their phone number and you can get his records through reverse search.

Mainly because, there is an address and phone lookup, where you can look up anyone by phone or address. With this you can get access to data from thousands of sources, public and private, quickly and conveniently right to your screen. By taking advantage of the many online tools, some of them, which are free, you can do a "reverse phone number search" and find the name and address of the person that you are looking for.

A few years back, the only people who had access to such information were licensed private investigators, police detectives and the federal government.

A simple search for "reverse cellular phone lookup" today, will produce thousands of results. And it is easy to keep a record of these "best reverse phone lookup websites". If you wish to bookmark more than one site on reverse phone lookup, all you need to do is to create a folder called "reverse phone lookup" in favorites, where relevant bookmarks relating to "reverse cellular phone lookup" and othere related reverse searches such as address and "reverse phone lookup" can be stored.

Of course, the first thing you need to do is to determine whether or not the phone number of the person is a landline or a cell phone number. You can do this using Fonefinder.net, which is a free tool that allows you to quickly find this out. It’s quite incredible, this phone lookup and reverse search.

Reverse search by cell phones can also give information about adoption records, arrest records, attorney records, background checks, bankruptcy records, background records, civil records, legal records, court records, civil records, credit reports, criminal files, correctional files and criminal indictments. It also helps to locate people, their public records, reverse records, death records, birth records, child support lookup, and much more. It can also provide info on repossesed cars, and seized real estate to name a few.

Generally nowadays, anything is available except for the very sensitive personal information such as financial and credit card data or passwords and full account numbers.

Other than that you might be able to uncover a lot of data about mostly anyone.

Besides, most of this information focuses on information about people in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. It is highly unlikely, that any of these databases and data centers have much information on people living elsewhere in the world.

The next option of course, is to use Google.

Google Search Engine is one of the best sources to do a "free reverse look-up for landline numbers". All you’ve got to do is to type in the phone number in the standard prescribed format , and the name and address of the owner will often come up in the search engine results.

In fact, there is now a new Google feature called Google Phonebook.

This will now allow you to do a "reverse telephone directory lookup" on any phone number search, and the results page displays a little telephone icon beside the name of the owner of any telephone number you plug in to Google’s search box. The address of the owner of that telephone number is displayed and besides that and there are links on side of the address which will take you to a Yahoo Maps or Map Quest for detailed and accurate driving directions directly to their home! Now what more do you need, even if you are based in Uganda or in Timbuktu !

Although, Google makes it painlessly simple to opt out of the phone number search listing at [ http://www.google.com/help/pbremoval.html ], there is a warning that indicates “removing your phonebook listing will not remove your personal information from other pages on the web or from other "reverse phone listing lookup services", such as: Anywho.com, Swithchboard.com, Whitepages.com, Reverse Phone Directory.com, Phonenumber.com, Smartpages.com”. So either way it is going to be one helluva job to get this erased.

In fact there have been article sources that have indicated that there are certain reverse searches that gives information required like delinquencies, names, old address, date of birth, social security, telephones, cell phone numbers, listed telephone numbers, unlisted telephone numbers etc. Although this is something that I am unaware of, you can always check them from databases such as the yellow pages, or the free public records sources which may provide such information.

Access to public criminal records is a powerful way to protect your business and family, and free access to public criminal records online is becoming more and more accessible.

Criminal records serve as reference for people who need information about a certain person or organization.

Criminal records are indexed by name. So, in order to get accurate results and if a person had a different name at one time, that name should also be checked. In those jurisdictions where the clerk of court will be doing the research, a complete date of birth is required.

Public records, in general, are records that are made accessible to the public without restrictions. These records usually contain personal and private information that have been disclosed to the public Public records are usually kept by government agencies at all levels. And, because these documents were disclosed for public access, all public records are supposed to be free.

So if you need access to a public record, all you’ll have to do is visit the proper government agency, request for the particular record and wait for the agency’s response to your request. However, if the public record is found, the agency may ask you to pay a minimal fee for documentary stamps and other technical expenses.

Criminal records let you know if someone has ever been convicted of a crime, served time in jail or been convicted of a crime like driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Before you hire a nanny, driver, or sales cashier, you can have their background checked with public criminal records.

Likewise, on the other hand, if you are looking for a job or trying to rent an apartment, chances are, someone will be taking a look at your criminal record. Now, if at all you have the remote chance of being indicted for some small careless driving incident.

Information available on [[reverse lookup]] includes adoption records, ancestry archives arrest records, attorney records, background checks, bankruptcy records, birth records, boat ownership, child support lookup, contractor records, court records correctional files, court records, courthouses, credit reports, criminal files, criminal indictments, deadbeat locators, death records, dentist record search and much more.

Many investigation companies offer onsite hand searching. Online hand search options allows to request further information in case an instant search fails or does not cover all the requisite information in the records returned.

Background Checks provides detailed information on Background Checks, Criminal Background Checks, Employment Background Checks, Online Background Checks and more. Background Checks is affliated with Criminal Background Search. There are many ways that one can make a thorough background check of an individual. Private detectives have been traditionally employed for a thorough background check.

Now there are many websites that offer background checks for individuals. Some of the searches are free. However, most "reverse lookup directories" require service membership which starts with a nominal amount and online registration on the website. Once a person becomes a member he can locate vast information available from these sites.

As a closing line, with the newly passed laws and databases available here you too can investigate and locate job applicants, potential dates, neighbors, lost relatives, friends and practically anyone through reverse search.

Sunday 10 February 2008

Useful Tips For Choosing A Domain Name

Your "domain name" is the internet address of your website, it looks something like this: www.yourname.com

Once the domain name has been selected and registered, no one else can register the same domain name just as there can never be two houses with the same address. Your domain name can also be your Internet Business name.

You will want to take out a piece of paper to write down ALL the keywords related to your Internet Business. You see, you want your domain name to:

• be short and easy to remember (and catchy, too!),
• be relevant to the product or service you’re selling,
• include keywords of your product or service to improve search engine rankings.

For example, if you want to sell a product teaching people how to break-dance, then you will want to start writing down all the keywords related to break-dance.

For starters, write 100 keywords. What next, you ask? Write some more! Write 200 or 300 if you have to. The more keywords, the better. That is because this is a one-off activity. And remember that you will be using this domain name for a very long time, if not forever. Now, don’t even get lazy.

Okay, I’ll offer you some food for thought.

Are you parent to any child? If you are not, then imagine you are one right now. You and your spouse have a child for the first time. You and your spouse would want to give the best name to your child, right? Of course you both would! You and your spouse would brainstorm on giving your child the best name. "How about John?" "Aw, John is too common a name!" "Then how about …?" "I think the name…" and finally, your child has a name to be addressed by.

When brainstorming on your child’s name, you and your spouse consciously or unconsciously know that giving your child the best and meaningful name is VERY important because your child will be living with that name from cradle to the grave.

So, on the same token, why would you not think the same when brainstorming on a good domain name? This is your Internet Business. You need to nurture and grow it during its infancy stages before it rewards you. Are you not going to give it your best attention, too?

I hope that woke you up. Now, back to the keyword activity…

With the help of the list of keywords you have written down, you will find it easy to get a domain name that fulfils the 3 guidelines stated above.

In the same example, you would probably come up with a domain name like www.howtobreakdance101.com.

Next, check whether the domain name has been registered or not. If the domain name has been registered by someone else, you will have to use another domain name. So, maybe you’ll think of using www.lordofthefloor.com for a domain name.

Another thing you have to consider is the various kinds of domain names on the Internet. So you will have to choose carefully.

Below are some of the common ones:

• .com - stands for commercial / community. The most overused domain entity on the Internet. Recommended for your Internet Business.
• .net - stands for network.
• .org - stands for organization. A lot of online communities use this domain entity.
• .gov - stands for government. All government web sites use this domain entity.
• .biz - stands for business. Recommended for your Internet Business.

Give it a shot........

Bottom line - when brainstorming on a good "domain name" be sure to come up with at least a few names in case the "domain name" you wish to use is already taken.

Friday 1 February 2008

Vodka And Sermon !

A new priest at his first mass was so nervous that he could hardly speak. After mass, he asked the monsignor how he had done.The monsignor replied, " When I am worried about getting nervous on the pulpit, I put a glass of vodka next to the water glass. If I start to get nervous, I take a sip."

So next Sunday he took the monsignor's advice.

At the beginning of the sermon, he got nervous and took a drink.

He proceeded to talk up a storm.

Upon his return to his office after the mass, he found the following note on the door:

1) Sip the vodka, don't gulp.

2) There are 10 commandments, not 12.

3) There are 12 disciples, not 10.

4) Jesus was consecrated, not constipated.

5) Jacob wagered his donkey, he did not bet his ass

6) We do not refer to Jesus Christ as the late J.C.

7) The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not referred to as Daddy, Junior and the spook.

8) David slew Goliath, he did not kick the $$=+ out of him.

9) When David was hit by a rock and was knocked off his donkey, don't say he was stoned off his ass.

10)We do not refer to the cross as the "Big T."

11)What Jesus said at the last supper was "take this bread and eat it for it's my body." He did not say.. Eat me

12)The Virgin Mary is not called " Mary with the Cherry,.

13)The recommended grace before a meal is not: Rub-A-Dub-Dub thanks for the grub, Yeah God.

14)Next Sunday there will be a taffy pulling contest at St.Peter's not a peter pulling contest at St. Taffy's....