Copywriting - How to Write a Winning Sales Letter

Do you know what is the toughest click or, in other words, do you know which click is the hardest one to get your visitor to make? The toughest click is the one that leads to your payment processor!

You can get traffic easy enough. Sure it takes a bit of time and effort with SEO, traffic exchanges, articles, PPC or whatever is your chosen method, but the click that is the most important - the one that actually earns you money - is indeed the hardest one for you to get! You know that, of course; and you don't need me to tell you. But that said, how on Earth do you actually go about getting people to click your order button?

Well, you know it's all about copywriting and the good old sales letter don't you? The problem is that there are so many other people out there who have all read the same books on the subject; and so all of their sales pages are almost identical. You know the format - the benefit-laden headline, the testimonials, proof of earnings, guarantee, call to action. Yes - you know it - but is it working for YOU?

There are many sales pages that take this format & do work very well but most of them do NOT work! Why? Because the reader is simply tired of seeing the same old format trotted out time-after-time. Just take the headlines as an example. Aren't you tired of seeing copy that begins ... "Who Else Wants To ..." or "How a 60 Year-Old Granny with No Experience ..." blah - blah - blah!

After the headline, you get the almost compulsory "From the Desk of ..." or "Dear Internet Friend ..." - we could go on, but you get the message. There is nothing wrong with these approaches per se; what is wrong is that they are over-done. The product-buying internet user you are trying to entice - is heartedly sick and tired of them!

No one said it had to be that way. Sometime, someone wrote a good book about internet marketing suggesting these details; and now it has become a tradition! Seasoned internet marketers will, no doubt, disagree: they will say their sales pages have been 'tested' and found to convert well. The problem is, in many cases, they have been testing one out-dated convention against another.

What then am I proposing? I am suggesting that you dig deep into your creative mind to come up with a new format for your sales page. One that engages and entertains the reader; one that uses advanced subliminal techniques - that fly beneath the perception 'radar' of the visitor - to underpin your message. One that drives the visitor to the order button because it is the logical conclusion of reading your copy. One that actually wins the Toughest Click - the one that leads to your payment processor.

Can YOU do it? Yes - absolutely you can - if you are prepared to throw away convention and start thinking outside the box. The time is right for a new approach in internet marketing; the time is right for you and I to create our future.

Green Building Can Put Green in Your Pocket

Green building can be lining your pockets with green, as long as you plan ahead, stick to the details, and avoid mistakes that take your project into the red.

As a builder, your main line of protection is a well-written contract. A contract that spells out what your project is trying to achieve and who is responsible for completing each part of the job. The important green parts of the contract need to be worked out in advance during open discussions among the designer, contractor, and owner. At that point it is also important to figure who will file the paperwork for greenness certification. The filing requires a fee and filling out complicated paperwork. It is important to note in the contract exactly who will be responsible for paying for and filing the green certification.

Will the Real Referenced Standards Please Stand Up?

It is not enough to say in the contract that the project will be green - the contract must specify the standard your project will try to meet. Will it meet LEED, GreenPoint Rated, NAHB Green, or some other standard that you and the clients choose? There are on-line classes for the LEED certification posted on the Web. The NAHB has just produced a book entitled National Building Green Standard, a new standard for which they, in conjunction with the ICC (producers of the IRC and IBC) have gotten certification. The National Building Green Standard explains all the steps necessary for meeting four threshold levels of green certification -- bronze, silver, gold and emerald.

Owners are not asking for green building just so they can market new buildings more creatively. In many cases, owners or developers are planning for new state, or federal, tax credits in response to building green. It is extremely important to know the requirements of the incentives they are shooting for, since different government agencies may adhere to different standards. For example, some municipalities may require LEED certification or the equivalent, to qualify for tax credits, while others may prefer the NAHB Green. For now, the battle rages for the real Green standards until one dominant agency prevails. It is best to check what your local municipality requires.

Builder Beware

As the builder, make sure that the owner is clear that you do not guarantee or warranty that his project will achieve a green certification. Many of these standards have only recently been developed, and are complicated to understand -- let alone build to. Many of the products specified may be new and unproven and not yet ready for a warranty. A builder should never promise in writing to build to or conform to a certain green level -- that implies that you can guarantee to achieve it. You might write that you will try to meet the standard. You may want to include a protection clause in your contract that points out that the materials you will be using are new and unproven for long-term warranties.

Green Subs On Board

Always make sure you reference the exact requirements for green certification in your subcontracts. That way the subs are on board and it is all in writing. Make sure when soliciting bids that subs know that this is a green project and that it may involve new equipment, materials, and methods. Going over the requirements with your subs in advance will improve the team effort to meet the goal of green certification and lessen the risk of them reverting to their comfort zone -- the old easy way -- rather than the way to meet certification -- when something goes wrong, or a new piece of equipment does not install as planned.

With a little diligence, you can become adept in a new area of construction contracting that is rapidly growing, where your services will be in demand, and where there is money to be made.

How to Get Targeted Traffic to Your Website for Free

If you write a blog, or have a website than you are probably looking to get more traffic to your site. More visitors to your site means more people who learn about your product or service, which in turn means more sales. There are several things you can do to drive traffic to your website for free.

A great way for you to get targeted traffic to your blog is by spending time where your audience spends time. If for example, you run a dog training business, you will want to participate in dog training forums online. Most forums allow you to have a signature line where you list your website. By giving advice and adding value to the community your audience will see you as an expert in your market and in turn they will visit your website. Social media websites are another great venue for you to participate in. Sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn have various groups and communities focused on a variety of niche interests. Participate and communicate with your audience for free and drive targeted traffic to you website. Remember to add value, and not overly self promote to gain credibility with your market.

Another way for you to be seen as an expert in your niche is by writing articles. By writing articles that provide valuable, interesting information to your target market, you gain credibility and are seen as an expert by your audience. Writing articles and submitting them to article directories online allow you to drive free traffic to your website. Article directory websites allow you to link back to your site in exchange for the original content you provide to their website. Links back to your site build credibility with search engines as well. By writing articles you gain credibility, back-links to your site, as well as free targeted traffic.

There are many ways to drive traffic to your website. There are paid ways, such as Google AdWords, and free ways. Most people prefer driving traffic for free, however it does take some work. Connect with your audience by spending time where they spend time. Provide value added advice, and information to drive traffic to your site. Writing articles can also drive a lot of traffic back your blog or site. Not only can you get traffic from article directories, but also when others see your articles they can also publish them, all with links back to your site. While driving free traffic takes effort and time, it is a worthwhile investment to drive long term targeted traffic to your website.

What A Useful Bird

A goose, when roasted, liberates a huge amount of fat (so much so that you need to pour it off up to three times over the roasting period) Cooled goose fat is a wonderful, yellowy colour but with a softer texture than lard and can keep in the refrigerator for several months.

A Simple Snack:

o Diced bacon (I use pancetta but any bacon style should work)

o Goose fat (ideally twice the volume of goose fat to bacon pieces)

o Brown bread (toasted or untoasted - either is awesome)

Add the goose fat to a frying pan and heat till molten and clear. Add bacon pieces and fry till bacon is crispy but not charred. Pour mixture into bowl and leave till cooled Once cooled then spread onto bread slices and enjoy!

This is definitely a recipe for those colder days. Some recipes leave the bacon out but I prefer something to get my teeth into. You should not need to add any salt to this as the bacon should contain enough salt but a scattering of ground black pepper would add a good finish to it.

According to Mary Enig, lipid scientist and author of Know Your Fats, goose fat contains 35 percent saturated fat, 52 percent mono-unsaturated fats and about 13 percent polyunsaturated and so should be classified as a mono-unsaturated fat. Food historian Maguelonne Toussaint-Samat's History of Food has this lovely statement:

"In the South of France, goose fat is as important as butter in Normandy or olive oil in Provence. It is more than just a cooking fat; it is an article of faith."

And I don't think I could agree more!

So many people think that goose and goose fat are specifically winter foodstuffs but this following recipe for Roasted Rosemary Potatoes is just brilliant throughout the year.

Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

o 2 1/2 lbs (1kg) potatoes (I use Desiree but any floury style will do)

o 3 - 4 tablespoons of goose fat

o 2 tablespoons dried rosemary

o Salt to taste

Cut potatoes into quarters and parboil until almost tender

Drain into a sieve/colander and shake until the water is drained and the surfaces of the potatoes are roughened.

Heat the goose fat either in a hot oven (200 degrees C) or in a heavy-bottomed frying pan.

Add potatoes and turn carefully in the goose fat (Beware of hot fat!) Sprinkle rosemary over the potatoes.

Return to heat and let cook until first side is golden brown.

Turn several times until potatoes are cooked on all sides (be prepared to add more goose fat).

The final recipe is one I have only just discovered and in my opinion it is just the best dish I've come across. The original recipe calls for the haricot beans to be soaked, drained, cooked till tender then re-drained but to save time I used haricot beans cooked in goose fat (just gives it that added unctuousness!)

Boston Baked Beans

12 oz. (350 g) haricot beans

1 large onion

1 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon dry mustard

2 teaspoons black treacle

1/4 pint (150 ml) tomato juice (or the liquid from a can of tomatoes)

2 tablespoons tomato puree

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/2 pint (275 ml) unsalted stock

Set the oven to 275 F (140 C), mark 1. Peel and slice the onion. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole and fry the onion for about 5 minutes, then add the rest of the ingredients and bring the mixture up to the boil. Cover the casserole and put it into the oven; cook for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Microchip Your Cat

A safe and effective way to keep track of your cat is microchipping. "Microchips" are small computer chips, approximately the size of a grain of rice. The veterinarian imbeds the chip under your cat's skin, usually in the scruff of the neck, to give your cat a unique number that is used to identify your cat if it gets lost or goes missing. This minor procedure is as painless as an injection or vaccine and most cats have no reaction when they undergo microchipping. The number and information stored on the chip is used when your cat is lost and can be scanned by a microchip reader at veterinarian's offices, animal shelters and animal hospitals.

The microchip reader functions much like a scanner at your local supermarket. The information stored on the chip includes your name, address, telephone number and your cat's physical details. It is imperative that the owner keeps the information up to date so the cat can be returned safely home if it is lost. If an owner has a change of address or telephone number, this information should be reentered into the microchip and stored so your cat's details are current. This is not a foolproof method, if your cat gets lost in an area where a scanner is not available, your best bet for identifying your cat is an ID tag and safety collar containing all necessary information. If your cat is wearing a safety collar and ID tag, this can help prevent your cat from going to an animal shelter when it is lost. The ID tag will ensure that your cat will not be considered a stray and the person who finds it can more easily return it to you.

Microchipping is not an expensive procedure, in most areas the cost of this safety precaution is $50 USD. The owner must pay an additional fee to register the cat's microchip ID information. This registration fee is used to make sure your cat's information is entered into databases at shelters in your area. If you get your cat from an animal shelter, it may already be microchipped and you will only have to pay the small registration fee. Contact your local animal shelter to find out if they provide a free microchipping service.

Each year, 10 million or more pets are lost in the United States. About 75% of cats have lost their collars by the time they reach an animal shelter. There is some controversy regarding the microchipping process used to identify your cat. Some microchips are scanned at a higher frequency than others, depending on the scanner. Find out more information from your veterinarian or local animal shelter about the frequencies used in the microchip that is provided for you and your cat. If a scanner cannot scan the information on your cat's microchip then the microchipping process is futile. Shelter workers may assume there is no microchip in your pet and will not be able to contact you if your cat is lost and ends up at the shelter.

Stay Ahead Of The Fight With Information On Eating Disorders

Are you struggling with your weight? There is a large percent of modern America who suffer from issues regarding weight. Whilst many these individuals are literally overweight, several others are not. In today's society eating disorders have become a regular affliction. The big question now is; how thin is too thin? This dilemma draws from how we view ourselves. Ask yourself what do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you love your body and the way you look? Unfortunately many people don't. This is where eating disorders can creep into the picture. Alright folks, it's time to get hold of some valuable information on eating disorders. Let the Internet educate you for free!

Every time you think of eating disorders, you may not think the concept to be very severe. On the other hand, it's likely one of the most profound issues in the United States and other parts of the world, these days. One of the reasons may be due to a lack of information on eating disorders. It's very important to educate our children on the dangers of eating disorders as soon as possible. One factor that I can't help but consider, regards Tinsel Town. What is Hollywood up to these days? The perception of thin has been stretched to a whole new level. Of late, have you taken a look at some of the celebrities? Several of them are borderline anorexic. This is clear and simply not a good example for our young society. Teens from all over look up to these "so-called" role models, as if they're the all-knowing ones.

Sadly these pretty lasses of Hollywood have adopted a diet plan that takes being thin and "healthy" a bit too far. For those who haven't already noticed, teenage girls from around the nation are conforming to this delicate, frail look, despite the consequences of the health hazards involved. Say, come on, I'm all for eating right and staying healthy as much as the next guy, but there's a fine line in there somewhere. Maybe Hollywood needs some serious information on eating disorders.

With a number of cruel eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia spreading though our communities, we must take charge and provide information on eating disorders to our children. The true facts must spread whether it be in school or at home. Eventually, we all want our children to be healthy and look nice, however we don't want them to abstain from eating all together, or even to start purging at the end of each meal. Hop online today and take advantage of the whole wide spectrum of information on eating disorders.