List Building – Events
Events
63. Speaking – Don’t pass up opportunities to speak about your products and services. Invite people to sign up for a free report when they get home.
64. Workshops – Host a workshop in your area. And join on those hosted by others. Share printed materials and invite subscribers while you’re at it!
65. Conferences – Ditto with conferences. Nearly every group and industry hosts their own annual conferences. Be a part and invite subscribers.
66. Teleconferences – To save time, money and stress, many are turning to teleconference. Host your own and let others know you’d like to be interviewed. Reach out and invite subscribers.
67. Webinars – Many Internet marketers offer online gatherings. Join in and invite online attendees to sign up at your site for more info.
68. Associations / Groups – Network within associations and group in your niche areas and main areas of focus. No need to join all and pay all the fees. But check out their main events, websites, etc. to find ways to mingle and invite subscribers to your lists.
69. Trade Shows – Mark on your calendar trade shows in your areas of expertise and niche areas of focus. Again, no need to actually pay high fees to set up a booth at each, but check out one-day opportunities that allow you to visit and network, gathering leads along the way for follow up afterwards.
70. Annual Industry Events – Mark these on your calendar as well, and gather leads form top gurus in the field that attend. Gather lead info from fellow guests, too!
71. GoToMeetings – Check out the latest 3rd party companies who host interactive meeting space. Then gather leads via online presentations.
72. Skype – Hook up via phone connection over your computer through resources like Skype. And gather lead info via one-on-one interaction.
Why There Are Free Podcasts
Podcasting, unlike other media forms, almost never has
charges for services, and the vast majority of feed
producers distribute free podcasts. This puts at odds
with, say, online radio stations, news sites that offer
media to subscribers, or the online music industry
general. Even though podcasting has very direct
correlations with industries like news and music that
have strong business models, podcasting differs.
Podcasting does not really have a business model, and
hardly anyone is podcasting in order to profit from it.
There are some businesses and news sites that podcast,
but they do it as a way to supplement their companies
and to gain technological geek credibility, not to make
money. This is an odd thing, but explainable in light of
what podcasting is.
The free podcast problem is not difficult, and
podcasting differs in several key ways from other media
areas. First, podcasting involves the physical transfer of
a file from the host to the users computer. An online
radio station does not do this; all that they provide to
their listeners is a streaming sound file that cannot be
saved without difficulty and work. If someone did
manage to do so, the station would have strong grounds
for suing them since they were never given the rights to
keep and store the files. By podcasting the complete file
to the users computer, express permission is granted the
user to copy and use as they wish. Second, the podcasts
are, for the most part, made by individuals who have
low costs involved in creating and distributing the files,
as opposed to a news broadcast or song by a music
company. These individuals have little reason to charge
for their work since there is little cost to them to do so.
Because the files are distributed in a way allows their
copying and does not control the media, and since
podcasting is a very low cost media outlet, feed
producers have little reason or ability to charge for their
work.
Comedy Podcasts
Many podcasts are available to subscribe to and watch
in a variety of genres, and one of these is the comedy
podcast. Every small scale wannabe writer has a chance
to become a comedian through podcasting, since the
low entry cost allows people to start podcasting with
minimum effort and money. To find some of these
comedy podcasters, check a podcast directory. A
podcast directory is a listing of many, sometimes
several thousands, of podcasts submitted and divided
into categories. A podcast directory will probably have
a large number of comedy podcasts available to
subscribe to.
These comedy podcasts are usually created by a small
team of people who do the work in their free time, as a
hobby, not as a source of income. Because it is a hobby,
they’re more willing to give the work away for free, for
nothing more than recognition, probably in the hopes
they can parlay that recognition into a more mainstream
job. Some more corporate groups also put together
comedy podcasts, however. The satirical comedy web
site TheOnion.com puts out a regular comedy podcast,
featuring readings from their fake news site.
Placing a comedy podcast on the Internet has several
advantages for the creators. They get to showcase their
work, easily distributing their art to many people. This
following is likely to be be unusually passionate,
following the artist with more enthusiasm than the
artist’s average audience. The comedian has a chance to
be more open with the audience, engaging in a sort of
dialogue with them. The comedian broadcasts the files,
which enter the computer of the user, already a more
personal level than simply hearing the jokester on the
radio or on television. Compedy podcast subscribers
will often then write back to the podcaster, or leave
comments on the blog which often accompanies a
podcast site. This can give them a degree of input and
connection with the writers of the comedy podcast that
is far removed from other styles of comedy distribution.
The writers and producers of a comedy podcast thus
benefit from several advantages of the podcast form. It
is cheap and easy to set up, and uses a distribution
mechanism that is also easy to use. The way the podcast
form is designed, as well, creates greater connection
between the producer and the subscribers. The comedy
writer has a greater ability to interact with the
subscribers and to find out what they appreciate or do
not. Because podcasting is so simple to get involved in,
requiring only a small investment to get started, many
amateur comedy writers have begun starting their own
shows and distributing the feed. It is likely, because of
the unique connection podcasting offers between writer
and listener, that we will see at least some of these
amateur comedians make the leap to the professional
stage.
Types Of Autoresponders For Internet Marketing
There are several autoresponders available on the Internet, although they are divided into three main types – remotely hosted, locally hosted, and desktop hosted. For many Internet marketers, locally and desktop hosted are far preferred over remotely hosted. Although remote hosted are good, locally and desktop hosted autoresponders will allow you complete control – as you are running the program on your own site.
If you have a domain name, you can use as many autoresponders as you like, all of which will match your domain name. When you use a remotely hosted program, you won’t be able to use your domain name with the autoresponder. Instead, you’ll receive an address from the provider that resembles their link. This can be great for some, although many prefer to have their own domain names listed in the autoresponder.
If you use your own domain name with your autoresponder, you can normally keep it secret that you are using an autoresponder. When you send out emails using your autoresponder, it will display your website email, making it very hard to detect an autoresponder. This can be a great way to use your autoresponder, especially if you don’t want your customers to know that you are using one.
If you use a remotely hosted autoresponder, those you send messages to with notice that you are using an autoresponder. You should think of this from their prospective – if you were their customer, you probably wouldn’t want to receive messages from an autoresponder. Instead, you would want to receive your emails and messages from someone real, giving you complete individual attention.
If you are just starting out with your company and happen to be on a tight budget, a remotely hosted autoresponder may very well be the best solution. You can use it until you get more money and get back on track, although you shouldn’t use it long term. Remotely hosted programs can get expensive very quickly; as the monthly charges will add it quick each month you use the program.
You can find remotely hosted autoresponders all over the Internet; all you have to do is run a search through a search engine like Google or Yahoo. One of the best on the net is www.automatic-responder.com – Once you have found a website you can read more about them and what they have to offer. If you like what you see, all you’ll need to do is sign up and then you begin using their services with a remotely hosted autoresponder.
Although locally hosted autoresponders are preferred, they do have disadvantages. Some types will limit how many domains you can install them on. If the vendor doesn’t provide free installation, you could have a problem installing the script, as most require some degree of technical experience. Although you have complete control over the program, locally hosted programs don’t have as many features as remotely hosted programs.
Desktop hosted autoresponders are also great, although they too have disadvantages. Some types will limit how many copies you can install on different computers. To get the most from them, you’ll need a computer that is always connected to the Internet. You’ll also need some experience to set them up, and they aren’t recommended for those who have large mailing lists.
Although there are 3 main types of autoresponders, the type you choose should depend on your website and your needs. What’s the best idea for you may be completely useless to someone else. When you make your final decision, you should always decide on what you need for your company – then pick an autoresponder that works best for you.
