Have you ever purchased a product or service on line and decided that you weren’t happy with it? Doesn’t matter why you weren’t happy – just that you weren’t.

What do you do in that situation? I know what I do…

If it costs a decent amount of money, I would ask for a refund. If it were a subscription of some sort, I would cancel it and if it billed me another month, I would ask for that month refunded.

Fair enough, right?

So, then let me ask you this…HOW would you ask for it back? Would you simply go to the product or service owner  first? Or would you bypass them and hit up Paypal, or whatever merchant provider they use and file a dispute, or chargeback?

Mind you – I am NOT asking what you would do if you tried 10 times and are frustrated – I am asking what you would do right from the beginning.

Not for nothing, but as someone who has been doing business on line for nearly 10 years, I have only ever filed a chargeback once. After finding the product to be pure crap, then being summarily ignored when asking for a refund.

Listening to some people, you would think they got ripped off on a daily basis. Let me give you an example…

I have a service that charges a good amount of money per month – which is clearly stated on the sales page in several places. I run the payments and subscription through Paypal.

I had a client that decided that they no longer wished to use my service, but their second month was billed. I was emailed and asked (that is being kind) to “…put back the money I took from their account”. I mean, you could see the anger right off the bat – the money I took?? Hmmm…

Well, no big deal. It’s part of the business.

So, I log in to my Paypal to refund this customer and what do I find when I log in? Yup – a dispute…for an UNAUTHORIZED transaction no less.

Now, I find that laughable, seeing as they signed up for a recurring payment and the first payment went through a month prior. They used that because the mindset of those who do that are simple – Hey, if I say it’s unauthorized, I can make them look like a thief and get my money back…

What’s even funnier is the fact that this mindset prevents the person from understanding that that’s NOT how this works. In reality, knowing Paypal the way I do, all I needed to do was provide proof that it was authorized – and considering the first payment was NOT being disputed, this would have been easy. And this person WOULD have lost this dispute – and created bad vibes along the way.

So, I very nicely explained this to the person, telling them a simple “Hey, can you please refund the second month? I am canceling…” and they would have had their money back in their Paypal in about 30 seconds.

The response I got? “Well, I have been ignored by others, so I filed the dispute”

With the kind of mindset displayed, it’s no wonder.

I am a very simple guy – treat people the way you want to be treated. Karma lives in my world, as it does in so many others.

Many of my on line friends would have told me to simply refund them and get them out of your life. And, I could have I suppose. But what I explained to this customer is that when you claim that the payment I “took” was unauthorized, simply because you are too lazy, or scared, or whatever to come directly to me, then you are calling me a thief.

Sorry. Not gonna let that fly. Especially considering that by calling me a thief, you made yourself into a liar. Lock, stock and barrel.

In the end, we traded a few emails, they recinded the dispute and I refunded them. But when you insist on doing business this way, I can tell you that more often than not, people will remember you in not such a positive light. For example, if this person were to email me in six months with a JV request for a new product, that email goes straight into cyber heaven.

No chance.

Spiteful? Maybe. Or, maybe I simply know that somehow this person may in the future call me a liar then withhold any affiliate payments due to me. Bad business is just bad business even if it starts out as something a little personal…

This is just a rant, but it’s food for thought on a few different levels…

Just because you sit behind a keyboard and not across from people does not give anyone the right to treat people poorly. It may give you a feeling of power over someone, but it’s short lived and misguided, to say the least. It ALWAYS comes back around sooner or later.

As has been said by better people than me – character is how you behave/act when no one is looking. Or not sitting across from you.

People WILL remember you and your attitude.

Just because you may have been ripped off by someone does not mean you will get ripped off by everyone. That kind of mindset will hold you back.

Fianlly, don’t automatically assume that because YOU are the one that files a claim that it means the merchant provider will automatically believe you and side with you. They understand fully that there are as many thieves on that side of the credit card too. And, you would be surprised how few people actually win those disputes anyway.

Try asking first. The bad taste you leave may come back to haunt you…

I realize that is kind of a weird question to be asking on a blog, but it’s not what you think.

Look, let’s be blunt here.

I have been on line for quite a few years, and these days I see more and more people trying to make it. But more than 80% are making a very fundamental – and potentially fatal – mistake.

They are not protecting themselves, their loved ones or their ASSets.

http://www.centralnetmarketing.com/recommends/protection

I have told people this story before, but I was once hit with a lawsuit because I was not smart.
This was back in 2006.

Luckily, I was able to settle for about $1500, but man, it could have been MUCH worse.

Long story short, I now protect myself and my business.

You need legal forms on your site that cover various things, like:

Terms and Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Anti-Spam Policy
External Links Policy
Earnings Disclaimer
Affiliate Agreement
Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) Notice

And here’s the best part…this software and all of the forms were created by an ACTUAL lawyer who practices internet law, and is legal counsel to a number of players on line.

His software creates custom forms that, if you hired him to write them for you (if you could even get an appointment) would cost you around three grand. Maybe more.

Now it’s a fraction of the cost.

http://www.centralnetmarketing.com/recommends/protection

I realize “scare tactic” style posts can turn people off, and I also realize that this is not one of those “sexy” software applications, but don’t pooh-pooh this very important message.

It could cost you big. MUCH more than the tiny price of this software…

Here’s one of my sites I use it on, to show you as an example:

http://followupsecretsrevealed.com/fsr/legalstuff.html

It was a snap to use, too.

What Has The Tweet-a-thon Got To Do With C.H.D.?

In August-September every year, heart surgeon and infopreneur Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian holds a 24-hour day-and-night blogging marathon called the Heart Kids Blogathon.

The event is widely supported by thousands of people. Many make donations (over $120,000 has been raised over the last 6 years). The money was used to fund life-saving heart surgery in 26 children, with many more to come. See this site for details.

By participating in the Heart Kids Tweet-a-thon, and helping spread the word about it or making a donation, you will be helping spread the message of Congenital Heart Defects Awareness far and wide… and maybe another child (or many more) will live because of your help and support.

Would you like to help make that difference?
You can. Today.

The first step is to follow the progress on Twitter by:

Register for a Twitter account if you don’t already have one

Follow the Tweet-a-thon account – click here

Make a donation – click here

Help Spread the Word – Tell friends, post on Twitter, blog about it, email it, whatever.

If you sell products – on or off the internet – then you realize the importance of customers. You should also understand the value of exceptional customer service.

There’s an old saying: It’s much harder to get a customer than it is to keep a customer. It’s true. They just want to be treated properly.

Hey, you’re a customer of some business, right? How do YOU expect to be treated?

Recently a valued customer contacted me to let me know how frustrated he was. It seems that a digital product he purchased from me hadn’t been delivered as promised.

This is a valid concern. When I order a product I want it right then and there, and so do you, so the customer was 100% correct.

So here are some things you should have in mind when dealing with angry or frustrated customers:

1) Explain what is it that went wrong.

Yes, even if it was a “mistake” on your part. People want to do business with real people. People make mistakes, so don’t be afraid to admit a mistake. This is powerful.

2) State again that you do value your customer.

No customers, no money, no profits… it’s that simple. Customers are the cornerstone of any succesful business. Cherish them and value them.

3) Show them that you value them. Give them a gift.

Don’t let any situation get you with your back to the wall. Take charge. Take iniciative. “Yes Mr/Mrs customer you are correct. I stuffed up, but I value you and here’s proof… here’s a gift.”

4) Let them know what is going on.

If the problem needs several hours to be solved, let your customers know. People love getting behind the scenes. A simple “I’m working on it and everything will be back to normal soon” is enough.

5) Show empathy.

Many people have a hard time in their lives. (Job, family, health and so on), so take this into account and never, never, never, *ever* snap at your customers.

Don’t be a boogie man or a tough guy. Leave that for your competitors. Be like a caring and understanding person instead. You catch more fly’s with honey than with vinegar.

When you send an email to your list you’re basically trying to sell yourself or the benefits of your product
or service.

So you need to convey this in a manner that is unintrusive to your readers so you can achieve your desired results.

[pay]There is no more effective way of doing this than combining a proven structure with effective copywriting
methods.

Copywriting is the art of using compelling content that highlights a service or product as an attractive, desirable and useful item that the reader simply must have.

In other words, turning a product from a “should have” to a “Just Gotta Have!”.

But before you begin to write your content, you first need to structure it correctly:

1. Subject Line -

Your subject line will make or break your campaign. If you can’t get your reader to at least open your email, then your campaign is dead in the water.

So you need to pack a powerful punch that invokes curiousity to compel your target audience to find out more.

Check top magazine or newspaper article headlines to see what’s working best and alter these to fit your own needs.

2. Openning Line -

Draw readers in with a great opening. Look to top articles for ideas that reach out and grab your attention.

When you find some examples place them in a “swipe file” so you can rework them at a later time to grab your readers in a similar fashion.

3. Main Body -

Keep this focused on the main benefits that your product or service offers your reader. Present credible info – not hype. Include facts when possible to back up any claims.

Within your main message you need to sell your product with good, old-fashioned copywriting techniques.

A great method of doing this is to get your readers to take your desired action, such as asking them to click on a link to get additional information on your topic.

The secret is to balance the right blend of benefits of your product or service in your email copy. In order to do this, try some of these things…

- State your offer in a personal way. Since the focus is all about the customer write in the “You” form, not he or she.” And talk about them or things that they can relate to.

- Focus on customer benefits. People like to save money, join and be a part of something, learn more, earn more, etc.

- Offer multiple benefits in bullet form that target the needs of your readers. And remember to write them from customer’s point of view.

- Thoroughly describe the product. Give the customer all the information they need on the product or service in order to allow them to make a well educated decision.

- Create a call to action. TELL your reader what to do step-by-step. Click here, fill out the form, hit submit, go to this link, etc

- State your USP (unique selling position) to differentiate  yourself from competition. For example, tell them why they should buy the product or service from you and not your competition.

Rewriting your message so that it focuses on marketing copy can help readers feel more comfortable – and it can have a significant impact on your results. Now there’s a win-win!

Now, let’s go increase our profits!

 [/pay]

Businesses need systems, and small business needs them even more to thrive and grow bigger and operate successfully. The people who started their own small business perhaps knows a lot, having conceived it.

They built a small business plan within their mind, nurtured it and brought it to its current form.  But to take their business further he/she has the need to convey their vision to the others. This is the key role of the business plans or systems.

The small business naturally is centered around a small team, who have to know and work towards their goals both short term and long. Each member’s role should complement the others, and lead the business towards ultimate success.

No business owner should remain static, staying put in their enterprise for months, or even years. It is natural to want to grow, acquire more, develop and widen their life and the business. The small business owner has to put a formal system in place, which is expected to spell out the proper and preferred way(s) to run the business even – if he/she were to go away, on business trips or vacations or whatever.

The Business System: Well-developed systems can be compared with the CPU of our computer; the mouse, the screen, the printer and other peripherals, collectively or singly work well, only when properly wired through the CPU. Systems co-ordinate a whole lot of things, from small to large, such as employees, clients, finances, day-to-day production, targets for sales or  production, logistics, billing and of course returns as profits.

There is no limit: Having one central office for example in the HQ of a large multinational corporation functions globally only due to well developed systems that caters to customers, production techniques, employee dress, franchises and meeting any contingencies apart from the primary activity. What one sees is a vibrant example of a well oiled mechanism, which works for the business owner/s whether present or absent on a 24/7 basis, all year round.

Specifics to small business: Well-developed systems can impart many benefits to the small business and can range from employee relations to customers to profits. Everyone from new employees to industry specialists get to know what each one has to do, where, when and how. At the same time, innovative talents and creativity can get noted and result in a win-win situation for both the persons and the business. Even minor issues can get detected and corrected early, which proves beneficial to the business.

Systems are key to continued success: Whether the owner or any key employee is present or not, a well designed system provides the surest way to continued success in small business more by creating effective business plans that meet or exceed the expectations of all involved. Systems pave the way for running businesses successfully and small businesses even better.

Home business profits is Real for some and sure as a Myth for others, which readily prompts one to ask the question, what then is the truth behind successful home businesses or online businesses.

Without batting an eyelid, the answer comes straight from most entrepreneurs (the successful ones) as “Business plans” or planning properly right from the start. The successful ones looked before they leapt, while the not-so-successful ones did the opposite, they leapt and then started to look.

In the modern internet age, venturing into successful home business is easy, and quitting with remorse even easier, – there is so much hype as to the path to financial freedom and wealth promotion.

But if one can sift through the mass of hints, self-help programs, literature, and promotional schemes, we can find the answers from the scores of success stories as well as failures.

Common myths but real: (1) To open a website and – watch the floodgates of wealth and luxury open. (2) Read through only the names of successful businesses, but not see through their toil and endurance.

What then can be done: The idea of using the medium of Internet for starting and running a successful business is good, but to sit and plan every critical move in the right direction is key, if you want to taste success and ensure a profitable home business. Use the proven strategy of compiling a practical and workable business plan, that covers some key steps as below:

First things first: Choose from millions of already well-researched topics from sites that specialize on content or practical schemes. Focus on sites which offer ideas and solutions for many styles of home business.

Any idea, product, or process has to be sold, and thus developing a solid marketing plan should occupy the next key place.

The last and firm stuff comes easy, once the first two are well planned, and going into doing the actuals as demanded by those sites, using proven marketing techniques can be surely successful and profitable.

Blend skills with efforts: The greatest asset that a successful entrepreneur possesses is his/her individual special skill which no one else has. Each person has something special and that has to be believed by him/her, first.

Next is the art of mixing or using those skills with efforts using standard tools and techniques such as products, software, full websites, ebooks and evolve a business plan to suit the business and its owner’s unique points.

Steer to Success: One has to begin with an unique idea, do the homework of selecting the supporting sources, evolve the business plan, and install the framework accordingly.

Last but least is the power of the individual brain and the energy that emanates from his/her motivation to make a success of the project. If one has followed most of the steps as explained above, there can be only one way – that is the path to profits and eventually to a successful home business.

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Article Copyright 2008 Central Net Enterprises, LLC and Michael Ambrosio. You may reprint as long as you leave this resource box in place.

Michael Ambrosio is an entreprenuer and online marketer. To read more marketing nuggets from Michael please visit http://www.mikeambrosio.com. Marketing For The Rest Of Us!
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The first move in any game is the toughest, and you have made that move – right? Starting a home-based business is probably the wisest of all moves, in this decade or at least this year. Now the field is open for you – and you have acquired the keys to unlimited freedom to innovate, to do what pleases you and at a time and pace that vibrates with your individual rhythm, which ultimately can lead to successful entrepreneurship and success in business. You only have to adopt some simple strategies, formulate an effective business plan and viola! you are well on the road to success in business.

Plan correctly: There is no denial that planning is foremost in any action/activity, but what really is the crux, is to have the right mix of plans, goals, and detailed sub-plans with the design of a quick feedback mechanism to revise whatever is needed. Planned properly, all actions will produce the desired results, and when it does not, there is already a sub-plan to correct/remedy the situation.

Set the environment: Small home based business naturally starts at the home. However, the best way is to separate and/or identify a place or room to build the right environment, right from day one. An environment where you can fully immerse yourself in your business and guard yourself from the inevitable interruptions you will experience while working from home. Here is where you will create the core of the reactor-your business energy nucleus, from where all your dreams, vision and ingredients interact to produce the results.

Realistic automation: This is the modern internet age, and one should take advantage of the conveniences provided by small and simple to operate automated gadgetry… there are a number of them. Printers, fax machines, copiers, and scanners are now available in four-in-one versions, and usable with computers and telephone lines. Small home-based businesses naturally have to be frugal on expenses and here is the opportunity to use this equipment which is relatively inexpensive but very versatile and useful.

Connectivity: Build up the contacts and develop the business circle using the power of the Internet with easy to implement, network marketing tools. Going to off-line events is one way to meet many like-minded internet savvy people all at once (bring plenty of business cards). Unless there are people who are made aware of you and your business, how can you sell/service and grow your business. Global wireless connectivity makes this possible, hence use to advantage.

Equip properly: Home business may be small, but still need the essentials of a business, like tools, materials, business cards, stationery, records, furniture and so on. Therefore one must use the optimum resources to make these available to the working environment. This will ensure that all actions can be taken to completion from the work spot itself to the maximum extent possible.

Be professional: One need not be a professional to act or work like one. Develop a professional image, with the right mix of dress, appearance, business phone, answering machines, bank accounts, marketing gadgetry and of course personal behaviour (polite and businesslike).

Well, using these simple steps and by practicing a commonsense approach, you are well on your way to a good start in a home based business, and based on a good business plan your motivated entrepreneurship can only lead to success in your business.

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Article Copyright 2008 Central Net Enterprises, LLC and Michael Ambrosio. You may reprint as long as you leave this resource box in place.

Michael Ambrosio is an entreprenuer and online marketer. To read more marketing nuggets from Michael please visit http://www.mikeambrosio.com. Marketing For The Rest Of Us!
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A lot of businesses are now conducted online. With an internet business, your service or products can reach different parts of the world especially if your website can attract much traffic. In order to establish one of the best online businesses, the usage of blogging for business is of utmost importance.

You can make use of blogs in order to promote your business today and in the years to come. This is not an easy task and so you will need all the help and some tips to keep you on the right track.

Here are some useful tips that you can incorporate in your internet business:

• Back links are valuable – to promote your business through the use of blogs, you have to give importance to back links. The blog post contents should be able to incorporate appropriate back links. By doing so, you can attract much traffic to your website in a more effective manner.

• You must learn to use the right keywords – all the contents of your blogs should have the right or appropriate keywords. Effective blogging can also place your internet business among the top searches in the results of search engines.

• If you plan to use blogs for your internet business, you must be able to make posts regularly. If you forget to make posts, your blogs will not be very effective for your internet business. Sporadic bloggers have no place on the net and so if you want your efforts to be rewarded, make sure that you post blogs frequently.

• Your blogging efforts will be rewarded if you post frequently and if the contents are interesting. Through effective blogging, you can establish the reputation of your online business and not only that, you can shout to the world your business expertise. If you want to gain a positive reputation, make sure that you post interesting blogs that are related to your business.

Those are some simple tips that you can use for blogging. Indeed, blogging can be very useful for online business but only if you can post effective blogs.

At present, many owners of online businesses are now making use of blogs to promote their products and services. If you want to become a blogger and at the same time a successful owner of a business, try to learn how to make effective blogs.

Some say that blogs are not that hard to compose. To some individuals, it may be their way to share their personal experiences and everyday life. But according to some expert bloggers, you also need to consider the interests of the readers and online researchers. Remember that once you start posting blogs in your business’ website, you have to post frequently (at least once or twice a week) so that your customers and readers will not forget you or your business.

So what are you waiting for? Learn to make blogs now and become an effective blogger. Your business will surely benefit from the blogs that you post. If you want to learn more about effective blogging for business, you can easily conduct researches online because you can find a wealth of information there.

Blogging for business is one of the most effective means of making your business a success. Start making blogs now and you can earn more profits in the future.

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Article Copyright 2008 Central Net Enterprises, LLC and Michael Ambrosio. You may reprint as long as you leave this resource box in place.

Michael Ambrosio is an entreprenuer and online marketer. To read more marketing nuggets from Michael please visit http://www.mikeambrosio.com. Marketing For The Rest Of Us!
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Here’s a simple system we personally use that you can easily create to get people to send you free subscribers and build your list for you.

And this works in whatever niche you want to target!

[pay]What we’re about to share with you is something you rarely see discussed. The reason is because if you knew about and applied the simple system your top competitors would not
have such a huge advantage over you in the marketplace.

You see right now you’re basically an unknown compared to your top competitors. You know it, they know it, and they know you know it.

What you may not know is why they are so well known while you continue to struggle even for the slightest bit of attention.

The answer is simple and it’s right in front of you.

There is one factor that determines how much profit you will or won’t make next month. And it also determines if you will ever join your top competitors in the eyes of your customers and subscribers. What is it?

An almost obscenely massive amount of exposure that gives you the appearance of “guru” status.

It’s all about perception!

You know who your top competitors are because it seems that no matter where you turn – there they are. What you’re about to learn is a simple yet highly effective strategy that can almost immediately elevate your status in the eyes of the people who matter to your business the most.

When you appear to dominate or have a strong hold on your chosen market, people pay attention to you. More importantly – they want to pay attention to you. That’s where massive exposure and email marketing come into play.

The simple formula:

Massive exposure + email marketing = Competitive advantage to the 10th degree!

The first thing you need to do is forget the myth that you need to create your own monster 200+ page ebook to get any sort of online recognition and exposure.

Many of your top online competitors actually want you to struggle with this silly myth while they continue to ensure their dominance over you in the marketplace with more effective methods.

The truth is that all you need is a simple 3-5 page report or a short ecourse and then allow others to give it away to create a viral marketing effect!

Sounds hard to believe, but it’s the truth.

Eventually you’ll want to create your own unique product, but it’s not necessary for the time being. All you need initially do is to create a short report by either writing it yourself or by outsourcing it to a ghostwriter.

For example, you could create an email course that promotes a specific affiliate product. Be sure to choose one that people are talking about right now or one that’s constantly popping up in your inbox.

Then setup a page with a subscription form that allows them to give away your ecourse with their affiliate links in them while you maintain complete control over the emails that are sent out.

This allows you to keep all the subscribers, while they receive all the commissions from the product promoted. It’s a win/win for all concerned so most people will be prepared to work with you.

This not only helps you to build your list (which is a key ingredient to your success), it also helps to brand yourself and elevate your status as an internet marketer.

If you repeat this for a number of products, it won’t take long to build your list and your reputation as a marketer will gain momentum very quickly.[/pay]