Half Moon Investments, Advertising & Marketing

Search Engine Update

2006-10-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

In a previous post on September 19, I told you about the feud between The Rich Jerk and the owners of a new website, called Brad & Andy.

The Rich Jerk claims that these guys were using his ideas that they stole from him by planting a spy in his daily operations. He further claims that Brad & Andy paid him "seven figures" and a part of their business to keep their website running.

True or not, I couldn't really tell you. What I do know is that they had 1,000 positions available at $800 a month. Yes! Eight hundred dollars a month. That's $800,000 a month. Every month. Not bad work if you can get it.

If their advice on how to get on the first page of a search engine (and to stay on the first page), works, and you can earn $800- $1,000 a day, then it would well be worth the price.

Personally, I think at this point in time, I'll just stick with the books and courses. Most working people can't afford an ongoing expense every month. Try out the books and courses and see if you have success before jumping into a major expense.

The Rich Jerk
Six Figure Blogging
5 Days to Success

Blog Post Gaps

2006-10-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

I have to apologize for gaps in my postings. Between work and a new baby, I just can't seem to get into a regular schedule. I will attempt to be more prompt in my postings.

Reporting eBay Profits

2006-09-22T14:43:00.000-07:00

My older brother told me that he wants to start selling "trinkets" on eBay. He asked if he should report the income to the IRS. Legally, yes. But I'm pretty sure that most people don't because eBay doesn't report sales information to the IRS, so you don't receive a Form 1099 from eBay.

Like the old cliche, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a noise?" Scientifically, the tree falling causes a disturbance in the air which the ears of humans and animals convert into sound. So even if no one is there to hear it, the disturbance in the air is still there.

The same thing applies to sales on eBay. If you are making a profit on the sale, then you should declare the profits as self-employed income and report the income to the IRS on a Schedule C. However, if you don't put the money into the bank and don't use the money to pay any bills, then how would the IRS know?

This is where I should state that I am not giving legal advice, nor am I condoning defrauding the IRS. I'm only stating that if you so choose to do so, then you "could" get away with it. That is, unless you get audited, in which case, it may be difficult to hide your profits if you're making a considerable amount.

It's your choice, either way.

Get Human Phone Service

2006-09-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

This doesn't have much to do with marketing or advertising, but I just found out about a Web site called Gethuman.com that has a list of codes for 500 companies that you can use to get past the phone prompts to speak to a real human, not the computer.

Some of the codes to get out of the computer tree are pretty standard, such as "just press 0 at every prompt." Others are as simple as pressing "#" at every prompt or just ignoring the prompts and not saying or pressing anything.

Some codes are a little more complicated. Sears delivery is "9 5 1 1 1" at each prompt. Poland Spring, to reach a person, you would "say 'representative' at each prompt, ignoring requests for other information." Symantec is tricky, "00, 00, 00, 2, 4, 2." Toys 'R' Us, "1 2 7 2, ignore request for phone number."

Virgin Mobile is also tricky: "At prompts say 'English', 'More Options', 'Ask a Question', 'Live Advisor', 'Something Else', then enter mobile # or say 'I don't have one.' "

There are many government listings as well as business, insurance, auto companies, credit companies, finance, pharmacy, shipping, software, travel, and satellite/TV.

Search Engine Listing

2006-09-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Rich Jerk sent me an email about two guys, Andy & Brad, that have a free video series on search engine maximization. Not sure if he's really mad at these guys for giving away free info leading into buying their course, or if he's behind the videos. He claims that they were once students of his.

I've watched some of the videos and so far, I've learned pretty much what The Rich Jerk tells in his eBook:

1. Use the "golden triangle" to list ads and links. Studies have shown that since most of us read left-to-right, our eyes are programmed to automatically scan in this direction. So your ads should be near the top left corner, not on the right as most websites are designed. The triangle runs from the top left corner across to about the middle of the page and then down to the lower left corner of the page.

2. Getting listed on search engines in this golden triangle on the first page increases your chances of getting hits to your Web site.

3. Use multiple word phrases to easily get listed on the first page of search results.
Ex: "internet web site marketing", "pay per click advertising", or "search engine optimization". Put the phrases in quotes so you get more qualified buyers. People using just one word searches are usually just looking. People doing multiple word searches are looking for specific products or information.

The free videos: http://www.convertlinks.com/vid1.php?weirdvideo

Don't waste another dime of your advertising budget until you read The Rich Jerk eBook. It's full of great marketing ideas as well as information on maximizing search engine, often called search engine optimization or SEO.

This also sounds like the information on the Six Figure Blogging Web site. Andy Wibbels teaches you how to start making money with blogs without even having a Web site. Of course, if you do have a website, then a blog can help enhance and drive traffic to your site.

Six Figure Blogging

2006-09-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

I bought Andy Wibbels book, "Blog Wild! A Guide for Small Business Blogging". Read the book in about a day. It's pretty straight forward and easy to follow.

He tells you exactly how to:
1. Get online
2. Create your own blog
3. Grow your business

Whether you want to link your blog to your Web site, or you just want to start your business with just a blog, Andy then tells you how to:
* create buzz for your products and services
*enrich your clients' understanding of your business
*communicate with your team
*reach out to your customers
*test-drive new ideas
*bring your business to the global marketplace
*open a backdoor to the press

His blog also offers many free how-to articles as well as plenty of useful information. Well worth a look.

Six Figure Blogging

Affiliate Cash Vault

2006-09-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

New fail-safe system virtually runs 100% on autopilot. Just set it and forget it! You will very easily earn an extra $500, $1000, even $5000+ every week with only 15 minutes of your time. No gimmicks, no empty promises, just good business.

They are looking for individuals interested in starting their own legitimate home business. $50,000+ the first year income potential.

Affiliate Cash Vault

My No Fico

2006-09-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

Improve your credit score while buying without using your credit: My No Fico

"Is your credit score, or lack of a credit score, hindering your quality of life?"
Credit is an integral part of our society. Good credit can improve your quality of life while bad credit can hinder almost anything you are trying to achieve! Purchasing an automobile, buying a home for your family, options for employment...even your insurance rates are tied to your credit or FICO® score.

Why waste hundreds or even thousands of dollars on worthless credit-repair schemes when you can derive the benefits of this system immediately without a credit-check at all? Legal in all 50 states!" (This is NOT an offer for credit repair!)

Guerilla Marketing

2006-09-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

You can cause the world to beat a path to your door. You can be an invited guest instead of an unwelcome pest. You don't call them - they call you.

How does this happen? With the power of information and publicity, and the science of results-accountable marketing.

A finely tuned marketing and publicity system delivers a predictable number of quality sales leads to you every day, month in and month out, so your salespeople only spend time with people who already understand what you do and who have proactively asked you to help them solve their problem.

Free audio CD.

Guerilla Marketing

Rich Jerk

2006-09-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

I bought and read the Rich Jerk's eBook. His 64 page newly revised ebook shows many of the strategies he uses to make big money online, and although it was not initially written for beginners there is now a new chapter dedicated to those who are just starting out, making this ebook an absolute must read for everyone from beginner to expert alike.

Although his writing style is uncharacteristic of most How-To ebooks, the bottom line is that he gets right down to the nuts and bolts of successful Internet/affiliate marketing and pulls no punches in his approach.

This book is an absolute necessity if you are serious about making money on the Internet. The 64 pages are choc-full-of extremely useful and time tested content not found in any other book that I have ever read. You can be brand new to Internet Marketing or a Seasoned Professional, this book will prove to be invaluable to both!

Here is a brief sampling of what is revealed in this fascinating ebook

-10 simple ways to instantly & easily create an affiliate website that will sell like crazy

-How to make money generating simple leads for dozens of other online companies

-Why your sales letters suck and how to make them convert like crazy

-How to crush the competition on Google Adwords, and pay way less than them

-How to make sure your Adsense Ads receive a 20% clickthrough rate

-How to earn an average of $1.00 or more from every person that visits your FREE websites

-How to convince almost EVERY visitor to join your mailing list

-How to attain and maintain a # 1 listing in the search engines

-How to get massive link popularity with very little effort

-How to use both WHITE HAT & BLACK HAT search engine optimization strategies to your advantage

-How to make your very own profitable e-products in only 2 days

-How to get those all important "super affiliates" to start promoting your site above all the others

-How to create instant, search engine friendly content about subjects you are unfamiliar with

-How to start and operate your very own eBay Powerseller business.

-Where to buy wholesale products that are "Red hot" for the lowest possible price. List of the Rich Jerk's own personal sources not found anywhere else. You can resell on eBay, dropshipping available.

-Websites you can create immediately that can instantly generate profits

-Examples of The Rich Jerk's current and former websites that have made him millions online

-Free ebook updates for rest of your life

-Access to a private members only forum, exclusively for Rich Jerk users to share their ideas.

- The Rich Jerk's staff can design and create a website for you, already optimized to make you money.

-There is so much more we can't pssibly list it all here, We feel it's best if you see for yourself... The Rich Jerk

Twenty-One Envelope Tricks

2006-09-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

When your envelopes aren't opened, you can't make money! Before you can get an order, the recipient of your mailing package must first open the envelope. Unfortunately, many recipients of direct mail simply discard the material without opening the envelope.

Because of the high costs of printing, envelopes, and postage, your mailing package represents a sizable investment. You simply can't afford to make this investment, and then have your sales material discarded in unopened envelopes.

With the following methods, you will have a substantial reduction in the number of unopened envelopes and a pleasantly profitable increase in sales.

If your envelope looks like junk mail, it will be treated like junk mail (in other words, thrown in the trash without being opened). The solution is simple – don't mail your material in envelopes that look like junk mail.
Avoid using mailing labels, because they make your envelopes look like junk mail.
Type the addresses on your envelopes.
Neatly write or print the addresses on your envelopes.
If you don't have time to use method three or four, then pay someone to address the envelopes for you. Pay them for each envelope they address; do not pay them by the hour.
If you must use labels, then use colored labels.
If colored labels are too expensive, you can color white labels with a marking pen. Fluorescent marking pens are especially good for this purpose. You can find these in office supply stores, discount variety stores, discount pharmacies, etc.
Use colored envelopes. (* The Post Office will not appreciate your colored labels and envelopes. These items create problems for their optical scanning equipment.)
Use first class postage and print FIRST CLASS in several places on the envelope. An inexpensive rubber stamp, with red ink, makes an “official” looking impression.
Do not rubber stamp the return address on your envelopes. This looks extremely unprofessional.
Avoid using labels for the return address – this also looks unprofessional.
Pay a print shop to print your return address on your outgoing envelopes. This isn't expensive, and it creates a more professional image.
Use a colored typewriter ribbon to address envelopes.
Use a colored pen to address envelopes. For example, I like red ink.
Address your envelopes on the back side.
Print or rubber stamp a short message on your envelopes. This is very effective with material that is mailed to persons who inquire in response to magazine ads. For example, we advertise a Free Mailing List Dealership. When we receive inquires about our dealership, we rubber stamp this message on all outgoing envelopes - “You requested this FREE Dealership.”
Commemorative stamps are more attractive than standard issue stamps, and they are the same price. Use them! That's an easy way to get your envelope opened.
Use marking pens to draw designs on your envelopes, even a series or straight lines, in a variety or colors, will draw attention.
You can buy paste-on dots, stars, smiley faces, and so forth, from an office supply store. Place these on your envelopes.
Instead of buying one first class stamp, buy several stamps in smaller denominations that add up to the same price. This catches attention because it looks more expensive.
Large mail order companies occasionally place some type of solid object inside their envelopes. For example, specialty advertising companies use inexpensive pencils, pens, plastic pocket calendars, etc. You can also use this idea. For best results, try to tie the object in to your offer.
Tape a penny to your sales letter. Then, in the sales letter, offer to give your prospective customer a discount – perhaps $5 or $10 – in exchange for the penny.
Use envelopes with windows.
With window envelopes, the recipient's address must be inside the envelope and placed so it shows through the window. Take advantage of this. Place the address on some type of Cash Coupon that looks like a check.
Use large envelopes, such as 6 ½ by 9 ½ inches, or even 9 by 12 inches. This is expensive, but the envelope will be opened.
"The more you tell, the more you sell.” Use a large envelope and include plenty of sales material. This is very effective with higher price offers.

A few of these methods are a little eccentric, and a few are more expensive than normal methods, but they will all help to get your envelopes opened and increase your sales.

We promised you twenty-one methods, and we have actually given you twenty-six! That's because we believe in giving our customers more than their money's worth. I recommend that you try this with your own business – you'll find that it pays big dividends.

101 Ways to Improve Your Direct Mail Response

2006-09-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

Mail to your customers more often. If you are now mailing 4 times a year, increase the frequency of your mailings to 6 or 8 times. If you increase your mailings by 25%, you should increase your sales by at least the same percentage.
Use a P.S. on every direct mail letter. This is second in importance only to the headline.
Don't forget to thank your customer for their order. Enclose a message with orders ... and include another merchandise offer with the “thank you” message.
Vary your mailing format. Use self-mailers, lettergrams, computer letters, envelope formats, catalogs. Change your format so that prospects don't get in the habit of recognizing your mailing piece.
Ride on the coattails of current events, e.g. energy crisis, elections, cold winters, etc. When inflation increases, have an “inflation-cutting” special, etc.
Look for other products you can successfully sell to your customers. Information on how to make and save money is the best prospect.
Include more offers in your mailing package than you already are. Study the mailings of firms such as the Haband Company who packs a volume of material into their envelopes. See if you can adapt the idea to your own mailings.
Think about using simulated handwriting for emphasis in your letters. Occasionally test a handwritten letter, particularly if you are soliciting funds for charity.
Try an unusual format you've never used before.
Test selective distribution to your list. Maybe only a portion of your list should receive more mailings. Other mailings should go to the entire list.
Stimulate off-season business by asking for it. If you normally have a summer slump, have a special “summer sale” mailing in the summer. You can boost your sales any time of the year you need a boost through effective direct mail.
Word your offer differently. Put a unique twist into it by offering a baker's dozen instead of a regular dozen. Or sell 110 instead of 100.
You can even add a smell to your envelopes. Check with your envelope manufacturer about the special inks that can be used to make your envelope “smell” the way your product does.
Change the size of your mailing package frequently to create interest and appeal.
Test credit terms. You'll find that accepting Master Charge/Visa will result in larger orders than cash terms.
Let people “peek” into your envelope with multiple windows on the face and back.
Test buck slip routing for addressing, and use it to reach multiple prospects.
Try using illustrated letterheads and test them against conventional letterheads.
Put a simulated check into your mailing to emphasize a discount.
Consider using stamps, coupons, early order bonuses, etc.
Pack order starters – a special offer that will get a person started on his order – into your catalog.
If you can sample your product, include one in your mailing.
Make more sophisticated use of your own list and the lists you rent by looking for those segments of “people who _____” and forget the rest of them.
Test simulated telegrams, mailgrams, and other imitation formats similar to the mailgram.
Test a tiny letter with a tiny pencil accompanying it. Test a jumbo letter in your envelope, maybe even mail it in a jumbo envelope.
What is your “wastebasket readability factor” – and what can you do to get people to read your mailing piece when it is sitting on somebody else's desk ... or has it already landed in their waste basket?
Put a wraparound on your catalog. It gives you two covers instead of one.
Test your catalog approaches and mailing dates.
Use teaser copy on your outer envelope and test it versus a blind envelope.
Acknowledge orders promptly and include additional sales literature with your acknowledgement.
Periodically send a statement to your customer that shows he's been missed ... even if he doesn't owe you any money.
Follow up inquiries promptly and persistently. Make it easy to buy from you by giving the inquirer a return envelope to send his order back in.
Tie in a timely topic (current events, special problems, etc.)
Get to know your printers ... not printer, printers. Every direct marketer needs different types of printers with different capabilities to come up with different printed pieces.
Test multiple premiums with your offer and give your prospects a choice of the one(s) he prefers.
Remail your mailing to your better customers three or four weeks later. You'll do 60 – 75% as well on the second mailing.
Remember the 5 basic rules ... test, test, test, test, test.
Don't be afraid to run without a test if your gamble is small.
Use a bounce-back package enclosure to get an extra order.
State your guarantee in the strongest possible terms ... and state it often.
Spotlight your sales points in your headlines.
Start your message on your envelope and lead your reader inside.
Feature last-minute merchandise on the back of your envelope or on a separate flier enclosed in your package.
Offset delays in mail delivery by extending cutoff dates.
Cultivate customers with special savings, bonuses or premiums.
Use lightweight paper to save postage and to allow more sales material in the envelope.
Use a “Publisher's Letter” to give the prospect an extra reason for buying.
Put distinctive differences in your catalog to add interest.
Stimulate action by featuring a time limit at the top of your letter.
Show how merchandise solves problems and enhances the stature of the user among his/her contemporaries.
Use full-view envelopes to display attractive literature.
If buying your product spells numerous benefits, spell them out by number for maximum impact.
Increase customer goodwill and purchases with advance notice of sales.
Use stock photos for much less than the cost of making original shots.
Cultivate customers with special catalog offers directed exclusively to customers.
Use unusual techniques to get your customers into your envelope.
Use action stimulators to get your customer to open your envelope.
Dramatize big news by using a big format to present your message.
Can you use the inside of your merchandise carton as part of your media mix?
Increase the impact of your advertising with clip art, at minimum expense.
Express appreciation to your customers for their past business. And enclose some extra sell material with your thank you message.
Offer premiums that are unusual.
Include smart-selling stuffers in envelopes, packages, etc.
Update your catalog with supplements or newsletters.
Use a second letter in the package to increase the impact.
Use a second letter in the package to make a second offer.
Notify the customer if there is going to be a delay in fulfillment, and include additional merchandise offers with this notification.
Test post card deck mailings as an inexpensive method to get leads/customers.
Put an unusual message on the outside of your envelope.
Put an alternative offer in the reply envelope to create bonus sales.
Try a massive display of stamps on the outside of your envelope to emphasize a fact.
Try a pre-holiday mailing to invite a former customer back.
Try a customized response vehicle to get your customers to respond.
Offer to provide specific benefits to the customers.
Offer potential benefits to both customers and prospects.
Use customer gift lists as future mailing lists for your prospecting.
Call your business reply order form by some other name, such as trial order card.
A double coupon in your package could double your response.
A reply envelope plus loose stamp might be more effective than a B.R.E. (Business Reply Envelope – which has preprinted or guaranteed postage).
If a postcard can tell your story ... test it.
If a postcard is too small, step up to a self-mailer.
Follow-up your prospect's inquiries promptly with hard sell material.
Make the space on the inside of your mailing envelope work for you by using it to sell your product.
Prove to your prospect that your free gifts are really free.
State your guarantee boldly, in strong words ... and repeat it often.
Test allowing another mailer in your envelope and vice versa.
Test simulated gram formats.
Develop a distinct personality for your business.
Make major anniversaries a plus factor in your promotions.
Have your reply envelope emphasize your prompt shipping service.
Present outstanding testimonials in a big way for big impact.
Never stop selling the advantages of direct marketing to your customers.
Consider using special formats to make ordering easier.
Test different length trial periods.
Promote seasonal products in off-season times ... and offer alternatives.
Ask customers their opinion of a proposed new product.
Test the plastic record message in your mail formats.
Use the negative to accentuate the positive.
Use stimulated handwriting in your message.
Use match-up and comparison tables to increase selection ease and accuracy,.
Always offer an “extra” or “bonus” to encourage a quick response.

About Us

2006-09-07T17:05:00.000-07:00

Half Moon Investments was initially started by my partner and myself to invest in real estate.

I've added this blog to keep up with the ideas and articles that I've come across on advertising, be it direct mail or on the internet.

Wander through my posts. If I find some information useful, maybe you will too.