What an absolute whirlwind month January has been. Between revamping my Street Smarts Marketing and Promotions website; launching a new information eProduct (Directory of Internet Radio Shows and Radio Interviews – Your Recipe for Success); launching a new mentoring course with my business associate, Lori Giovannoni; offering a free teleseminar with Lori, taking a 13 week course on Blogging from the BlogSquad; dealing with an unusually cold January and an unruly dog who has a real aversion to staying in his play area, the month has flown by.

Another reason the month has flown by has to do with the fact I have been negotiating lots of fun projects with Joint Venture Partners around the globe. Partnerships designed to bring incredible value to my readers, clients and business associates. (Check out my upcoming events section for some exciting opportunities)

One person I have been absolutely thrilled to get to know over the last few months is Willie Crawford. (Be looking for my exclusive interview session with Willie over the next few weeks). If you know anything about Internet Marketing, you know Willie is probably one of the most incredible and knowledgeable folks in the industry.

His is a true welfare to riches story. He is not one of those who profess that you can get rich quick with the power of the Internet. What I like most about Willie’s business philosophy is that there is work involved in becoming hugely successful yet, the rewards can be incredible. Willie is one of the real Internet Marketing millionaires and freely shares lots of great information with people.

FREE eBook – The ONE Thing
As a matter of fact, he has written an easy to read eBook called The ONE Thing in which he outlines 24 things he does to create his incredible success. Willie has given me permission to offer this to you at no cost. Click here to access. It is well worth reading.

I have some very exciting projects in the works that, as they unfold, I will share with you. Everything I am focusing on is designed to bring you incredible value and tools to help you build your business.

Lots of Great Programs Coming Your Way!
Over the next couple of weeks I will be sending you several updates on exciting programs you can participate in that cost you nothing. That’s right! They are absolutely FREE. You won’t want to miss any of these. In the meantime, check out the upcoming events section to see some of what I have going on.

January has not only been a month filled with lots of amazing activity, it has also been a month for realizing how blessed I am. On a professional level I am in a business I absolutely love, I have the opportunity to mentor people from around the globe on how to grow their businesses through the power of the Internet, I continually get to develop new products to help people in their businesses, and I am in contact with extraordinary people on a daily basis. On a personal level my life is very abundant. My relationship, my home, my four legged companions, my health, are all true blessings.

Create the Magic
Daily, we hear of unfortunate happenings around the globe. Often, the inclination is to pass the buck and hope others will do something to fix the problems. So often we hear, “What are they doing to make the world a better and safer place?” I often wonder who “they” are. The fact is, we are them. I am confident it is up to each one of us to do our part to make life better for those around us.

Doing our part can be something as simple as cleaning out a closet and donating the clothing to a local charity. Perhaps it is getting involved in the local animal shelter or volunteering time reading to the elderly. Whatever you “get a sense” you should be doing, what are you waiting for? Just do it. Take an action today to make your corner of the world a better place. If each person did something, anything, to improve the quality of someone else’s life, imagine the magic that could happen.

Express Appreciation
One thing each of us can do is express appreciation for those who make it possible for us to do the work we do. It is essential for all of us to realize how important all our team members are to our success. The fact is, without the behind the scenes people in our businesses (regardless of whether they are employees, business partners, contractors, or volunteers) those of us who shine in the limelight could not do what we do.

I want to extend a very special thanks to my IT Director and web designer, Karen Noel. Without your insights, skill, talent and expertise our numerous websites, products and projects would remain merely great ideas in my head. Your abilities bring them to life.

In 2007 I am committed to providing even more great marketing and promotions information than I did in 2006. One place you can access my insights, recommendations and tips is from my blog. http://www.kathleengage.blogspot.com  

To receive regular updates from my blog delivered right to your email box, go to http://www.feedblitz.com and scroll down on the main page to the area where you can input a blog web address. Add in http://www.kathleengage.blogspot.com and you will begin receiving updates as I enter them in my blog.  

Have a great month. Much success, health and happiness to your and yours.

Kathleen Gage

The Street Smarts Speaker and Author

Systems Create the Magic for Your Internet Marketing Success
By Kathleen Gage The Street Smarts Marketing Speaker and Author

Why is it some people are incredibly successful at utilizing the power of the Internet in their marketing while others can’t seem to figure out the winning formula?

How often do entrepreneurs and salespeople look for that next magic formula to build their business and increasing revenues, never quite making any of it work? Many people make it much more difficult to succeed than it need be while others know exactly what to do — and they do it.

Ask anyone who has effectively integrated the use of the Internet into their overall marketing strategy and they will tell you success in building your business, both online and off, is about systems. Simple as that.

Developing and utilizing systems is nothing new. Yet, the great search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and getting rich quick continues.

One part of your systems you’ll find more gold than virtually anywhere else is in doing something many people just don’t find appealing. It is in developing and maintaining a solid database. Unfortunately, many people don’t find database management sexy enough. So they continually buy into that next secret formula.

Fact is, with a well-groomed database you can increase your revenues and decrease your marketing costs. You can build customer relations and keep your name fresh in the minds of your market by keeping in touch. This establishes excellent position within your market.

Most people would be amazed at how simple it is to build an incredibly profitable database by applying a few simple strategies. Remember, simple is not always easy. It will take time, commitment and focus.

Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to your database. Depending on your industry and what you sell you may be well served to focus on the few dozen or few hundred who want to buy from you rather than thousands who don’t care about what you offer.

On the other hand, there will be situations where building a massive list is exactly what you need to do. Especially if you have mass quantity products you are selling at a very low price. Then you may want to go for the numbers.

Driving traffic to your site is an ongoing process as is building and maintaining your database. If you are serious about using the Internet in your marketing you need to lay the groundwork to optimize your opportunities.

• Develop a fully operational web site or squeeze page

• Have a way to capture contact information such as a sign up form

• Give people a reason for leaving their contact information such as an Ezine, free report or ebook, an article of interest to your target market or anything that is of benefit to the reader

• Develop a series of content driven messages that address your customers’ needs

• Keep your name in front of your market consistently without being annoying

• Write and distribute articles to various online resources that are pertinent to your market

• Create a byline/resource box that contains your web address

• Do not make the articles a hard sell. Rather, provide information that positions you as a resource before you are a vendor

• Develop a list of forums and discussion groups you can participate in

• Commit to the long-term.

By focusing on developing a solid database and providing incredible value to your market you can and will achieve success in your business. Guaranteed!

To book Kathleen call 541.654.0426

Getting Your Blog Noticed
If you'd like to get your blog noticed by reporters, there might be a few things you could do increase your chances. First and foremost, the media wants to know that your blog is verifiable, not just a smattering of opinions (while this is good, verification of your statements will always be important). Whenever possible, add links to your blog to other stories or statistics that relate to what you're saying. You can add as many links as you want, and depending on the story, it might behoove you to find a lot of on-line references. Another good use for your blog might be for the posting of press releases and announcements. Remember, the more activity the better, if you are having a lot of news make sure and add it to your blog. It shows activity in your blog and in your promotional efforts!
from Penny at Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

Author Marketing Experts has an excellent newsletter for anyone who is interested in the world of publishing, writing and authorship. I subscribe and recommend you do too.

To subscribe to their newsletter, click here: subscribe@amarketingexpert.com

Your postings can come back to haunt you
35% of executive recruiters, who use the Internet to check out prospects, say they have eliminated candidates based on what they have found online (up from 26% in 2005). Although 82% of job candidates expect recruiters to look them up online, 33% of job candidates have never conducted a Web search on themselves.
Sources: BusinessWeek, June 26, 2006 and March 27, 2006, U.S. News & World Report, December 25, 2006

This information not only pertains to job seekers; it applies to anyone who owns and operates a business. You never know what clients may find that could turn a deal sour. By the same token, you never know what they will find that can seal a deal.

Before posting information in various social network environments, on blogs or on your website, think about the long-term. Who might see your information?

Think things through before you leap into action with your postings.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Speaker and Author
http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Other recommended resources

Success formulas, 
tips and strategies addressing marketing & PR for:
Small and Home-based businesses, Retailers, Authors, Speakers, Consultants, Events Coordinators, and Non-profits