In this issue:

1) Tip of the Week

2) FEATURE ARTICLE: Would You Trust Mother Theresa? by Gauher Chaudhry

3) CLASSIFIEDS Traffic Builders Business Opportunities

4) FREE Resources Recommended Reading

5) POWERQUOTE

6) MANAGEMENT MINUTE: Think Like a Publicist To Achieve Like a Star by Anne Marie Baugh

If you'd like to read previously ran tips and features, go to http://netcheckspayroll.com/newsletter.html

Pro-motion Answers for the "Pro in Motion" by jl scott, ph.d., Director, IAPO

Q. I guess I'm what they call a "newbie" but I would like to start an online business. Problem is I still have trouble with even some of the basic Internet skills. Can you give me a few pointers? (John)

A. Welcome to the wild, wild world of the Internet! Some of us "oldbies" still have problems with Internet skills. I wouldn't even know where to start with "pointers" - but I know who does.

Normally, I don't recommend individual web sites or services in this column. However, I receive questions from those new to the Internet constantly. Often they are generalized questions which are difficult to answer. I also have a great concern regarding "newbies" who are being trained incorrectly - especially in online business.

I well remember the trauma of BEING new online! With no one to teach me other than some kind hearted souls who took pity on me! Well, those days are over!

STOMP and CLAP and WHISTLE and CHEER! (That's what we do in Texas.) The Internet finally has what it's needed from the git-go! My hat is WAAAAY up in the air!

A brand new web site has now been launched to help those new to the Internet - "The Newbie Club!" Joe Robson and his partner, Tom Glander, are the geniuses behind this much needed web site.

Everything's there that any "newbie" could ask for. Especially, since they don't know WHAT to ask for. Us "oldbies" will smile just at the sight of it. It looks like exactly what it is! I just keep going back to it and it just keeps getting better and better. A "newbie's" dream!

Us *smart* oldbies will also jump on the bandwagon and get in that affiliate program. The introductory product there is the e-book, "Windows for Newbies" - written by Tom Glander. Tom's smart as a whip and one of the funniest guys I've run into for awhile. They even explain to the "newbie" how to download it! And, that's only the beginning of the resources ...

The Newbie Club has been Joe Robson's dream to help those who need help most. He is a true genius - but you'll never hear him try to make you think he is. The sign of a TRUE professional! It's a miracle to me that FINALLY someone of this caliber is setting out to teach us properly.

You can't even imagine how much JUNK I go through just searching for something I can fully endorse - without reservation - that is actually VALUABLE to people out there! This has GOT to be one of the biggest hits on the Web.

My recommendation? For all your tips on getting started - visit The Newbie Club: http://www.newbieclub.com?nchcks

* To submit questions to "Pro-motion" mailto:Questions@IAPOnline.org

jl scott, ph.d., Author Copyright © 2000, All Rights Reserved

Would You Trust Mother Theresa?

Copyright © 2000 Gauher Chaudhry, All Rights Reserved.

Let's pretend that you decide to become a nun one day. This major change in your life has required you to buy some new nun clothes. You surf the net and come across two sites that sell nun outfits. They are both priced the same, but on the second site there is a testimonial by Mother Theresa:

"I always buy my nun outfits from Nun Corp. because the material is great and they last me years. Thank you Nun Corp. for the great suits." - Mother Theresa

Who would you buy your nun suit from? The first site that did not have a testimonial or the second site that did? The second site of course!

Testimonials can have a tremendous impact on deciding whether you can close the sale or not. People feel more confident in buying your products or services if they know that there are other satisfied customers.

Testimonials help persuade the potential customer to purchase the product. If you look at most commercials or infomercials on television, you will see that majority of the time is spent on testimonials by past customers.

Testimonials are even more valuable if you are trying to sell your product or service on the Internet. This is because the Internet can be a very unemotional and impersonal marketing platform. Using testimonials help ease concerns by a potential customer whether they should purchase your product or service.

Whenever a past customer sends you a letter or email with positive comments about your products or services, you should contact them and ask their permission to use their comments as a testimonial. Since they are satisfied customers, they will usually be more than willing to give you permission.

If you do not receive any feedback, you can indirectly solicit testimonials by sending a customer feedback form (see my article about customer feedback http://www.freecoolcash.com/articles/feedback.html). At the bottom of the form, you can leave some space for comments about your products or services. When you receive any positive comments, you can contact those customers asking to use their comments as testimonials.

You should always get your customer permission before you use their testimonial. Long testimonials are more desirable than short testimonials because they convey more customer satisfaction. People will think, "Boy, that customer really liked the product to be writing 10 lines of praise!"

If you are constantly bombarded with negative feedback, then

.. we have a problem Houston.

If you are not getting favourable comments about your product or service, this may be an indication that you need to make improvements or switch to a new product or service.

Feedback whether it is positive or negative will always help you improve your business. In fact, I find that negative feedback is more valuable because they tell you what you are doing wrong!

Never, Never, Never.

Did I say never? Never make-up your own testimonials. This will only hurt you in the long run. It is unethical and dishonest. Would your mother approve? People also can usually see through a phony testimonial.

You should also give more information about the person giving the testimonial. Most people will laugh if they see the initials "J.K." at the end of a testimonial because they may not be real. They will be thinking that the copywriter may have pulled those letters out of a hat. Adding a full name, city, country and even a title if they have one such as, "Jennifer Smith, Vice-President, Direct Energy." You can see how much more of an impact this has rather than "J.K."

Some customers that give you a testimonial will be hesitant to give you permission to print their email address below their name. I would hesitate too! I would probably be added to 100 junk mail lists.

But, if your customer has a web site, they will be more than happy to give you permission to link to their web site below their testimonial. A little free exposure for them too! Adding their web site link below their name also makes the testimonial more credible.

I just recently started using testimonials for my book "EZ Money With Ezines" in my web sales letter located at http://www.ezmoneywithezines.com to help make my sales copy more powerful. It has helped increase my conversion ratio and that means more sales!

Try using testimonials in your ad copy and I guarantee that you will increase your sales!

Want to read more of my articles? http://www.freecoolcash.com/articles

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gauher Chaudhry is editor of Cool Cash Ezine. You can subscribe for free by sending an email to subscribe@freecoolcash.com with "sub-art" in the subject. You will receive a free copy of the 225+ page book "How To Start And Operate Your Own Profitable Business At Home!" (reg. $20)

Learn the one powerful marketing tool that has made Internet marketers successful. Use it to explode your own profits! http://www.ezmoneywithezines.com

PROMOTE SMARTER with IMR: Free weekly e-zine dedicated to helping you build, promote and excel on-line. No hype, just solid tips, links and articles you can use! Join over 1400 weekly readers. Subscribe: mailto:subscribe@imr-central.com?SUBJECT=Subscribe3 http://www.imr-central.com/ezine.html

Could you use 390,000+ names in your address book? Tap into the power of this FREE system to build your business. Hurry while it's still FREE mailto:getthedetails@quicktell.com?subject=BCW

Discover the secret to INCREASING SALES by 400% All the tools for your online success in one place! http://www.int-resources.com/cgi-bin/t.cgi/105461/OSC

Improve Your Copy & Improve Your Sales! Targeted, professionally written ad copy will improve your site's sales & search engine positioning. Find out how today at http://www.attractandkeepcustomers.com/ad.html

<<<< T H E O R I G I N A L E Z I N E - R I N G >>>> Free Samples of the Best Internet Marketing Ezines ... Previous: mailto:BB1@autobots.net Next: mailto:newsletter@herwebbiz.com * Full List and 3 Freebies: mailto:ering5@writead.com *

Add credibility to your site with a certification from the Better Internet Bureau http://www.better-internet-bureau.org/welcome/bib87int/index.html

Don't over pay! Get an all inclusive web host for about $10/mo. Get up to 300 MBs with SSL, listserver, reseller program, FFA & classified site, banner program, 1200 site submission, online university and more... http://www.linkopp.com/member/lr10819.htm and click affiliate program.

Traffic Builders ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The search engines aren't the only place you want to get listed. Thousands upon thousands of people are hand-posting the FFA's everyday - therefore seeing your ad! How much traffic are you getting? Want more? Then don't leave out this marketing tool! This network will instantly post you to 32,400! http://www.smallbizffa.net/ffa.pl?25690

PLACE YOUR AD ON OVER 8.5 MILLION WEB PAGES!! Start Now! http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?nchecks/ccross

Business Opportunities ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

He gets over 2 million visitors to his websites yearly and has created a course to teach you the most efficient ways to make money on the Internet. If you're serious about earning a living online, you need to check out Corey's site, go to http://www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/5369

Mouse potatoes... REJOICE!. Earn 50 cents an hour for your time online and 5 cents an hour when the people you refer are browsing. Sign up for FREE and earn money! Numbers seem small? Imagine what they'll be with 1,000 in your downline. Go now to http://www.alladvantage.com/refhome.asp?refid=AOW-039 and use referral ID# AOW-039

Good news! Take advantage of your preferred subscriber status with a rate of 50% off the regular rate of $10 per issue for YOUR best 5 line ad (65 characters max per line). As loyal subscribers, you can still place ads here at half-price or $5 per issue. For a limited time. If you have more than 5 lines, just add $5 ($2.50 for subscribers) per extra 65 character line per week.

First, e-mail your ad copy to... mailto:webmaster@netcheckspayroll.com If you're paying by check, print out a copy and mail the print-out, with check or money order to: NetChecks, 42263 50th St West, Suite 614, Quartz Hill, CA 93536. If you prefer to use a credit card, go to <http://netcheckspayroll.com/bcwadrates.html> to order your ad space on a secure server. If you have any questions, please call (877) 438-7821.

Or, why not sponsor an issue of BCW or request a private mailing. See <http://netcheckspayroll.com/bcwadrates.html> for details.

That word FREE...it works like a magnet! Discover the power of FREE to build your contact list to over 390,000...and of course it's FREE. mailto:getthedetails@quicktell.com?subject=FR

FREE merchant account...a perfect solution to high merchant fees. If you don't sell anything, there is no charge. <http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?netchecks>

INSTANT FREE Submission to 200,946 Directories http://www.links2u.com/?199536

Recommended Reading ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Insider Internet Marketing" We have our original copy right next to our computer! So take 30 seconds and learn what makes the difference between the "Internet success stories" and the "Obscure web marketers". A genuine insider tells all! <http://www.bizweb2000.com/d3643.htm> Get your copy TODAY!

"It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts."

- Robert H. Schuller, minister and author

Questions to Ponder

What is the most powerful positive thought I've had today?

Will I give it a chance to survive and thrive?

What negative thoughts to I want to overpower today?

Copyright the Discian Group from the Powerquotes ezine. See http://discian.com/powerquote.htm for more information.

Think Like a Publicist To Achieve Like a Star

by Anne Marie Baugh

Have you picked out your Oscar's night outfit? I have. You should. Have you thought about what you will say when you accept your award? I have. You should. At least in your mind, that wonderful playground for imagination - the very place we are going to venture today for great publicity ideas.

Razzle, dazzle, sparkle, and shine. Isn't this how we think all those stars get to the Oscars in the first place? However, it's less glitter, and more planning that creates the reality. First comes the dream, then the work, then usually a host of disappointments to test the resolve, then a series of small successes, and then....publicity. It is a fairly predictable road, but often as business people we forget to plan our own personal Oscar's night.

We also miss the key ingredient - publicity. Marketing is what gets you in front of your target market to make the sale. Publicity is the spotlight that shines on you and solidifies you with mass appeal as the popular expert in your field. You drive marketing to your buyers. Publicity drives the masses of buyers to you.

When your focus has been marketing it's a little tricky to change your paradigm to publicity. However, the important difference between marketing and publicity is your target audience. You are no longer pitching to buyers of your product or service, now your audience is the media. This means editors and producers. These important people are looking for one thing, the story. A unique story. Something inspirational, motivational, newsworthy, or educational. Period. Nothing else will do.

In order to be successful in the media you have to think like a publicist and find your unique story. If you don't have a story, it's time to create one. What is unique about you or your business? Sometimes it's an attitude. Like the employer that regularly asked her employees what they didn't like about their jobs and then proceeded to shift responsibilities. It may be an event, like a charitable event that raises money for starving children but serves beans and rice at the gala event to demonstrate how it feels to be poor. It may be your wit, your way of thinking, what you care most about, or how you integrate your values into your business. Only, you can find it, but trust me, it's there.

Begin to explore your own unique angles and media curves by keeping notes on your thoughts and attitudes. Scribble, color, or paint it out - it really doesn't matter as long as you begin to devote time to exploring your "story". Not your ad, not your price, not your product, but your story.

Once you've angled into your own unique media offerings, find the appropriate avenues to make your pitch. Take care though, the media should always be treated with good will and respect. Do not, I repeat, do not go for the hard sell. This is not the time. If you must, save the hard sell for marketing, or better yet, chuck it all together. Do not wheedle, whine, or beg the media. Make your pitch, respect their time, and their decision, then work toward building long term relationships. In the end, you'll have the kind of names in your pocket to begin dropping at parties, and you will be a star! A star with the mind of a publicist.

See you at the Oscars!

___________

Anne Marie Baugh is a noted publicist that works with cyberstars. Owner of three firms, she offers a dazzling two-tier affiliate program with special promotional benefit perks to those who qualify. To learn more about joining the Write-Promotion affiliate program send an email to AffiliateInfo@write-promotion.com or visit today at: http://www.write-promotion.com

If you have any questions or comments regarding this newsletter or the content, please email Laura Raushel at mailto:webmaster@netcheckspayroll.com

To unsubscribe to Business Consultant Weekly send any email to mailto:unsubscribe@netcheckspayroll.com

To subscribe to Business Consultant Weekly send any email to mailto:subscribe@netcheckspayroll.com

If you would like to see past issues of Business Consultant Weekly, go to http://netcheckspayroll.com/newsletter.html

(c) Copyright 1998 NetChecks Payroll & Bookkeeping.