The Click Depot Blog

Archive for May, 2009

Becoming more popular as a way to get more exposure to your website, 3 way linking originated around 2007. The problem is that 3 Way Link Exchanges can be confusing so it is easiest to think of it as triangular linking.

The way that 3 way linking works is that website A links to website B, website B links to website C, and website C links to website A. The reason for this linking structure is that Google and the other search engines see all of the links as one way links, so it doesn’t appear you are trying to move your website up the search engines with excessive links. This seems to work for a short period of time, at least until the search engines run their algorithms and get suspicious.

The thing that has been emerging lately is a new kind of 3 way link exchange, where you don’t even know you are being involved in a 3 way link exchange. Where it used to be that you might want to link to a relevant subject website, and then they would link to yours, now they make it appear that way, and the next thing you know you are linked to a site that is just a 3 way link site.

The bad thing about this is that the search engine algorithms may pick this up as manipulating and not only move you down the page, but might cite you for bad behavior and you end up with less exposure than you had before.

Many of the webmasters are not that crazy about 3 way linking, primarily for this reason. They believe in good, old-fashioned search engine optimizations, and there is something to be said for that. If you are legitimately coming out with a good website that is search engine optimized, you don’t have to worry about manipulating your positions.

The other thing about 3 way link exchanging is that there is typically a monthly fee that goes on and on. Some think it is worth the $50 or so to participate in the 3 way link exchange, and sometimes it is if it drives that much in business to your site that you would not ordinarily get.

The most dangerous part of 3 way link exchanging is if you don’t want to be affiliated with a 3rd party link that has a bad reputation, that is not relevant to your site, or worse, may be a lewd or questionable site that would actually steer people away from your website by association or calling your trustworthiness into question.

When it comes to 3 way link exchanging, always be sure you know the sites that you will be 3 way linking to, or it could hurt your online business instead of help it. There are rights and wrongs to everything in life and a wrong move in 3 way linking could get your site suspended from the search engines.

Maybe the webmasters are right-build a good website that is search engine optimized and you will work your way up the search engine results without the cost or hassle of 3 way linking.

When you are ready to make it big in affiliate marketing, you will find that one of the tools that you might want to look at are toolbars. Toolbars are an interesting intersection of function and advertisement, and there is a great deal of good that can come from using them. While some marketers love them, there are definitely affiliate programs that bar them at the gate because they have had bad experiences. It is important to remember that there are many different options open to you when it comes to toolbars; you do not necessarily need to worry about the so-called “theifbars” that so many people are considering. 
 
First, there are more and more toolbar creators that are taking the chance to engage with their users. These programmers want to know what these toolbars can do for you and what you need to do to make sure that you are going to be able to get your needs met. Many of the best toolbar creators have been able to present a link to these questions directly from the toolbar itself. You can express your needs and make sure that your voice is heard when it comes to how this great tool can help you move forward. This is an essential part of getting your work taken care of. 
 
Remember that one of the big reasons why you might want to find a toolbar marketing tool that works for you is that you are going to find yourself part of a community There are many people out there who are looking forward to making the most out of their toolbar and with the right information and the right kind of intuitive use, you can meet people who are interested in what you have to say. Moreover, you can improve your business and really move forward at a pace that you enjoy. 
 
Consider what your needs are. What drives your business and what do you need a good toolbar marketing device to offer? This is something that many people do not think about, and at the end of the day, you are looking at why they have gone wrong. Of course a toolbar that doesn’t meet your needs is going to fail you! What you need to do instead is to take the time to really consider how toolbar marketing can change the way that you feel about getting the attention you need Whether you are looking to use one or market one, this is a field which sorely needs some attention.

Image Courtesy : http://www.conduit.com/Home/Publishers/Toolbar-Marketing/February-2009.aspx 

Sometimes when you try something new, it’s completely overwhelming. Autoresponders are no exception, and because of the various facets involved you can find yourself struggling for the reasons behind it all. However, it doesn’t take much to figure them out. All you have to do is get a better understanding for the anatomy that revolves around it.
 
The objective goal for using an autoresponder is to keep in contact with your subscribers. This can be through customer support, daily or weekly newsletters, mini-courses, and several other reasons. Whatever the case may be, it allows you to get on a more personal level and give your readers a chance to trust the fact that you are helping them as much as possible.
 
Customer Sign Ups
 
In the beginning stages a potential prospect will be drawn to your sign up area. This could be due to a free report, gift, or contest, but anything that can help them for free is always a good start. Once they have signed up, your autoresponder will automatically send them their free gift (outside of a contest). This is your starting point to the anatomy of autoresponders.
 
The Feedback
 
Once your new subscriber sees the material and “thank you page,” you can set up your autoresponder to send out a feedback email. This asks your prospect to give you feedback about the free information they received. Now, you can have them email you or your can set up a poll, but this will depend on the amount of subscribers you gain. If you are emailing hundreds of people throughout the day regarding feedback, you’ll want to use a poll.
 
It’s important to send this out about 3 days after your initial email. In doing so you will allow your readers to actually go over the material and let you know how they feel about it. What you don’t want to do is bombard them with constant contact because most will feel as though they are being spammed and will eventually unsubscribe. Using this approach will get them back to your site more often.
 
The Special Offer
 
Once you let about a week go by, it’s time to use the autoresponder again. This time you are going to associate a special offer with it. It won’t be a complete sales pitch, but links will be provided to whatever is you are trying to sell. Basically it brings them back to the website, which of course is the main goal. This should only be done once, then all you can do is wait.
 
The Upcoming Months
 
After you have given out your special offer, the autoresponder should start to dwindle off the progressive emailing. Once you’ve put the sales email out there, you should wait to weeks before sending out another call of action. Then it will be once a month. Eventually you will stop sending out your series, and begin working on something new.
 
During this time you will be able to keep in touch with your prospects and help them along the way. The anatomy of an autoresponder is important to maintain in order to get the best results. In the end you will find yourself with better conversion rates and more subscribers then you ever dreamed. However, it’s the ability to gain their trust that will be the most important achievement for later down the road.

Image Courtesy: http://www.squidoo.com/ultimateautoresponderpro

In Second Life, there is pretty much nothing that you can’t do. Regardless of your interest or passion, there is going to be some medium for it’s expression on Second Life. With the immense popularity of the game, some big companies have taken notice. Wherever there are a bunch of people congregated, you can make sure that some company will find a way to advertise there. This seems to be the case in Second Life as advertisers are flocking there rapidly. What types of advertising is showing up and does it actually work?
 
There are numerous ways to advertise or promote creatively in Second Life. Being that it is a virtual world, the only thing that is limiting advertisers is their imaginations and the ability to program what they want done. For example, if your product was something that can be consumed, they can put some sort of animation that takes place after the product is consumed. After you eat the product, the avatar does a little dance or handshake or something. While it may not seem like much, all the advertisers are after is to separate their brand from the others. Anything that can make you remember them is what they’re after. 
 
You’ll also see different characters in the game wearing gear with the logos of their advertisers. You might see a hat that says Pepsi or something like that on one of the avatars. This is just another means to keep their brand in your mind as often as possible. You’ll see clothing or tattoos, or anything else that can be shown off on the avatars. Some of the avatars will actually distribute coupons or notecards with information about the product. It might be a link to their website with info on it about their product. This is a unique way to distribute information that was only a figment of someone’s imagination a few years ago.
 
You can also find more traditional means of advertising within Second Life such as a billboard or sign. Since there are malls and shopping areas within Second Life, there are undoubtedly going to be advertisements all over the place. You’ll find bulletin boards with notes all over them about different products or services. 
 
There are also a growing number of companies that utilize one-on-one advertising within the game. These avatars will actually go up to people within the game and engage them in conversation. From there, they will tell them about an upcoming event or promotion as well as give them some information. They’ll hand out coupons, or whatever else they can to get the word out. IMAX is one company that has been successful with this form of marketing. There are even some companies that offer this service for other companies. Think of it as a marketing company within Second Life. They will be paid on a per lead basis by the companies that employ them.
 
Overall, Second Life has developed into an amazing world of technology and imagination. This means that the advertisers will never be far behind. If you’re looking for a way to promote your brand or service, this might be the place to do it.

Image Courtesy: http://image.guardian.co.uk/