Final hours… If you want to save time, money & energy with professional quality video's for your blog or website, you have until 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 to get on the pre-notification list for iFlashVideo.com low-fee member's program. Please use this link to sign up: Video Members List.

Is your blog a good salesman? Is "he" meeting his sales goals? Does he consistently bring hot leads to you who are ready to buy or hire you? Maybe it's a good time to call Ms. or Mr. Bobby Blog in for a good heart-to-heart talk.

Better yet, give it a good bottom-line kick in the pants. Some people on the Web are even going so far as to spread a rumon that your blog may be ruining your business!

Hey, I love blogs, but only because they work so well for bringing in business. But if yours isn't doing the job, fire the guy. Or do a few things differently to make it work.

Here's what MenwithPens writer James Chartrand says about this:

Read More→

Do you realize what you give me? Just by being here, to read these blog posts?

Every morning before the sun comes up over Lake Chapala here in central Mexico, I sit down to my trusty Alienware computer and compose a post on this blog. If you didn't show up at some point during the day or week as a reader, the motivation wouldn't be there.

Thanks, guys!

Not only have you been coming here to read, but many of you retweet what I have to say. I know, because I see you over on Twitter, see your retweets. Sometimes I take time to thank you personally, but most of the time, I don't.

Read More→

Here is the audio recording of the 2nd interview with Milo Sindell, founder of MyKnowledgeGenie.com. One of the things that we discussed offline after the call is how great it would be to offer a Webinar, so that we could walk you through some of the features of the content platform.

Let me know if you’d be interested. In the meantime, listen in to this interview and if you’ve got questions, or comments, send an email.

Milo Sindell, founder of MyKnowledgeGenie.com provides an introduction to his content creating wizard, and explains a few things about how to use this platform.

To understand what this is all about, I highly recommend you go to the site, MyKnowledgeGenie.com, and open a free account and start experimenting with it. You can’t make any mistakes that can’t be undone. I’m the queen of mistakes, I should know!

Here’s the audio recording provided by the amazing Linda Dessau, one clever person who does her own recordings of calls. Thanks, Linda! Linda is a content marketing expert and you can thank her personally over at her site, www.WriteaTop10Article.com.

Here’s who I typically work with to improve online content marketing:

• People who are professionals who need a better online presence
• People who are highly educated and smart
• • …some of whom are new to computers and Internet tools
  • …some of whom are tech-savvy but don’t like to write
  • …some of whom are savvy but time-constricted
  • …some need everything done for them, others just a portion
  • …most are very good at what they do for a living, but need help with online marketing and content marketing
• Many are over 45-50 and are self-employed or thinking about becoming so
• Some are over 60 and thinking about another business or consulting service
• Many offer services in-person and would like to expand opportunities to the Web & phone
• Most have a ton of knowledge that could easily be packaged, marketing and sold via Web

Are you sitting on a gold mine that isn’t making money? What are you waiting for? Your knowledge and expertise can be monetized. In fact, if you’re really interested in making a difference in the world, it behooves you to take some steps to make your wisdom available to a global audience of people  who need it.

Who are you?

Are you a professional with degrees out the wazoo and years of expertise? Or, maybe a street-smarts business owner? Or you may be a talented person who needs to let the world know you exist so people can buy your stuff or hire you to help them…

Maybe you’re a lawyer, doctor, psychologist, nurse, teacher, chiropractor, consultant, artist, speaker? Maybe you’re at a point in your career you’d like to develop some passive income through the Internet? Or retire, but keep some money coming in…

You know a ton of stuff about the field you’re in. You’ve been using the Web and computers for research and communicating. You’d like to start a blog, or learn to use some of the social sites like Twitter for business. You might want to publish an e-newsletter, white paper, or ebook as well.

You’re not an idiot…

Why is it when it comes to Internet marketing, there’s so much stuff online, you can’t help but feel like a techno-idiot? It’s not true, of course, but it can feel that way.

I know, I can relate. I make a good living online now, but it took many years for me to learn how to put up a web page, build a marketing list, use a shopping cart, publish a blog that gets traffic, and sell info products so that I could profit from the Internet.

If this is you, then you’ve come to the right place.

This blog’s for you: Attract, Sell and Profit

I probably have some products or services you can use. And there’s a lot of free information here to make the Internet marketing learning curve easier.

Subscribe to this blog so you can get email updates. I post almost daily about things you need to know if you want to attract the right people to your business, sell them products and services, and profit online.

There’s a subscription form in the upper right corner of this blog. Fill it out and stay informed.

Or, if you’re RSS savvy, if you prefer to add this blog’s feed to your feed reader by RSS, use the subscribe link above in the navigation bar.

Keep in touch, leave me comments, and let me know what you need to know. This blog’s for you…

“My Knowledge Genie” Teleseminar Interview with Milo Sindell

Who: Interview with Milo Sindell, founder of MyKnowledgeGenie.com

What: MyKnowledgeGenie.com is an
online information product builder. Learn how you
can quickly create information products such as ebooks, training modules, and
comprehensive learning packages with this easy-to-use, low cost
platform.

Date: Thursday November 12, 2009

Times: 4 p.m. ET
            3 p.m. CT
            2 p.m. MT
            1 p.m. PT

Bridge-Line: 308-344-6459
Participant code: 1042440#

My Knowledge Genie will help you create ebooks, training modules, speeches, books, membership sites, and content marketing pieces quickly and easily.

I started a free trial last week, and I’m almost finished with a comprehensive ebook that includes chapters, checklists, definitions, learning reminders, and summary questions. I’ll be publishing it soon, and selling it for $97. Cost for all this? $5/month hosting fees, nothing else.

My Knowledge Genie provides a Web platform that formats, distributes, and sells your content product, and you keep all the revenues. You only pay a minimal hosting fee. No revenue sharing.

Join me, Patsi Krakoff, from The Blog Squad,  as I interview the founder of My Knowledge Genie, Milo Sindell.

We’ll go on a virtual tour of this content creation genie. I suggest you open up a free trial before the call at My Knowledge Genie.

If you can’t attend, there will be a free audio recording available shortly afterwards.

If you have difficulties calling in, it may be because too many
people are trying to join at the same time.

You’ll need to try again,
and verify your call-in numbers. It’s best to call in 2-3 minutes early. The call
will be put on mute in order to eliminate background noises.

If you have questions, send an email to me:
pkrakoff at gmail dot com,  and I’ll try to ask our expert before the end of
the
call.

Please plan on one hour for this call.

To prepare, I suggest you check out www.MyKnowledgeGenie.com. Take a virtual tour and start a free trial to see how this works.

Here’s some interesting information about Milo Sindell, our Knowledge Genie expert:

Milo Sindell is the founder of two start ups: Hit the Ground Running
and Knowledge Genie. As the founder of Hit The Ground Running, he has
developed a software to increase employee performance and retention in
three critical stages of the employee lifecycle: starting a job, being
engaged on the job, and leaving the job.

Hit The Ground Running also developed a first of its kind program that
transforms the 1:1 coaching methodology of one of the world’s experts
on leadership, Marshall Goldsmith, into a virtual coaching web app
(www.myMGpro.com) or also available on Amazon).

He then co-founded, Knowledge Genie (www.MyKnowledgeGenie.com),
a new electronic publishing platform that enables individuals and
organizations to  capture, package, and publish what they know as an
interactive web app. Milo is also an expert and entrepreneur in the
field of organization and employee performance.

He has worked for leading organizations, including Intel and Sun
Microsystems. He has published three books and numerous articles in the
field of employee performance and talent management.

These books include: Sink or Swim: New Job. New Boss. 12 Weeks to Get
it Right; Job Spa: 12 Weeks to Refresh, Refocus, and Recommit to Your
Career; and the upcoming book, The End of Work as You Know It: Eight
Strategies to Redefine Work in Your Terms.

Once you sign up, you’ll get an email with instructions to confirm your registration. Please read and follow the instructions, click on the link to finish your registration. You’ll get the telephone bridge numbers sent to you.

Hope to see you on the call!

You’ve registered to attend a teleseminar training with me, Patsi Krakoff.

The teleseminar details are as follows:

My Knowledge Genie

Who: Interview with Milo Sindell, founder of MyKnowledgeGenie.com

What: MyKnowledgeGenie.com is an online information product builder and training system. Learn how you can quickly create information products such as ebooks, training modules, and comprehensive learning packages with this easy-to-use, low cost platform.

Date: Thursday November 12, 2009

Times: 4 p.m. ET
  3 p.m. CT
  2 p.m. MT
  1 p.m. PT

Bridge-Line: 308-344-6459 PLUS  pin: 473191#

(Note: This phone number is subject to change if we get larger numbers registered. Please read the email updates next week before the call to verify the number and the pin.)

This teleseminar will be recorded and the audio file available shortly afterwards. If you miss the live call, you’ll be able to listen to the recording at your convenience.

If you have difficulties calling in, it may be because too many people are trying to join at the same time.

You’ll need to try again, and verify your call-in numbers. It’s best to call in 2 minutes early. The call will be put on mute in order to eliminate background noises.

To prepare, I suggest you check out www.MyKnowledgeGenie.com. Take a virtual tour and start a free trial to see how this works.

If you have questions you want answered, just email me before the call next Thursday, pkrakoff at gmail dot com.

Please plan on 45 minutes for this call. I’ll send you a reminder next Thursday morning to repeat the phone numbers.

Milo Sindell is the founder of two start ups: Hit the Ground Running and Knowledge Genie. As the founder of Hit The Ground Running, he has developed a software to increase employee performance and retention in three critical stages of the employee lifecycle: starting a job, being engaged on the job, and leaving the job.

Hit The Ground Running also developed a first of its kind program that transforms the 1:1 coaching methodology of one of the world’s experts on leadership, Marshall Goldsmith, into a virtual coaching web app (www.myMGpro.com) or also available on Amazon).

He then co-founded, Knowledge Genie (www.MyKnowledgeGenie.com), a new electronic publishing platform that enables individuals and organizations to  capture, package, and publish what they know as an interactive web app. Milo is also an expert and entrepreneur in the field of organization and employee performance.

He has worked for leading organizations, including Intel and Sun Microsystems. He has published three books and numerous articles in the field of employee performance and talent management.

These books include: Sink or Swim: New Job. New Boss. 12 Weeks to Get it Right; Job Spa: 12 Weeks to Refresh, Refocus, and Recommit to Your Career; and the upcoming book, The End of Work as You Know It: Eight Strategies to Redefine Work in Your Terms.

Want proof that content marketing with blogging pays off? Here are a few client testimonials…

Bud Bilanich is The Common Sense Guy.  He was also one of The Blog Squad’s early blogging clients.  It was some time in 2005 that we set up Bud’s blog www.CommonSenseGuy.com on TypePad.com. Bud took to blogging like a duck to water.

Bud Bilanich sent us a copy of an chapter he is contributing to a book called One Great Idea. His great idea is that he decided to use a blog to brand himself and his business. And he credits The Blog Squad for teaching him everything he knows about blogging. 🙂

Bud says:

As a small business owner whose brand is me, I have recognized the importance of personal branding. I am a keynote speaker, executive coach, organization effectiveness consultant, and author. I am my business; therefore, my brand needs to speak for me.

…it’s my blogs that have helped me the most with my branding efforts. When I decided to begin blogging, I went to the experts, The Blog Squad.  They helped me set up my www.CommonSenseGuy.com blog on TypePad. 

This blog, and another one I added, helps me reinforce my common sense message everyday.

Bud’s blogs have helped him gain international exposure, get more consulting jobs, attract more speaking gigs, and develop joint venture partnerships. What more can we say? Every business, big or small can benefit from the branding potential of a blog.

Bud has given us permission to share his article. Download Branding by Blogging and learn more about Bud Bilanich’s success using a blog to build his business.

Blog Commenting: A Testimonial that It Works!

Recently Tim Wright completed our Law of Action mentoring program. He
was kind enough to share some of his blogging success with us…

YOU ROCK!

I’ve followed as much of your advice as time (and the rest of my
business and life) allows. Most significant, thus far, has been that
I’ve relentlessly posted comments on blogs comparable to mine.

I’m having separate phone conversations w/ the two bloggers I admire
most, of those whose blogs I’ve left comments. I see all sorts of
interview, shared article, blog cross-fertilization, and teleseminar
possibilities in our future.

Did I already say YOU ROCK?

Both conversations went divinely. We shared common interests, compared
and contrasted our expertise, and ventured into the
how-can-we-help-one-another-be-more-successful area. I already foresee
tele-interviews to increase our mutual visibility and credibility and
probably to initiate shared product.

Additionally, I’ve been, thanks to my blog and the 3-posts-a-week
advice, invited into a strong and getting stronger subject area
community that will substantially increase my blog’s visibility.

Tim Wright, Culture to Engage Blog

Blogs Build Your Business: You Want More Proof?

Later, Tim sent another email letting us know about more success he attributes to blogging:

The good news just keeps on happenin’!

Thanks to my three-a-week commitment and a number of your other recommended tactics (like commenting on others’ blogs, joining cyber neighborhoods and networks, spicing up the titles, working on keywords and phrases), I had this great thing occur y’day:

An e-mail from an online company that does audio conferences to educate the HR market. They needed a stand in for an audio conference scheduled for next Wednesday. When they started searching (God bless Google!), my Culture to Engage blog appeared.

Result? I’m standing in next Wednesday and I’m offering an audio conference all my own the day before.

And is it remunerative? (Or as my granddad would say, “Does it bring in the bucks?”)
You betcha.

One audio conference: $750.
Affiliate to sell their follow-up “hard” product: 20%
Visibility among their audience: priceless.

Have I said lately, “You ROCK!”?
Tim Wright, Culture to Engage Blog

Chris Baggott on Business Blogging

Last week we spoke with Chris Baggott about search engine optimization and business blogs (audio and transcript available). Overall the response was excellent, though a couple of bloggers didn’t like the “corporate” approach of using a blog to generate leads. 

Chris sent us this comment:

I just wanted to thank you both for a great session last week. Your questions were insightful and I really appreciate your open-mindedness for some of these new concepts.

A successful relationship requires direct communication. To get the right to build a relationship with a customer or prospect you have to first be found, second build credibility that a relationship with you will add value to the prospect or customer. Blogging is spectacular for this stage of the relationship.

From that point however 99% of the time that relationship is going to evolve to leverage some other medium…which might include face-to-face, email, telephone or even paper based things like catalogs.

You guys are a perfect case to show that a successful blogging program shouldn’t be measured by the number of comments…but from the amount of traffic and conversions.

Thanks again,

Chris Baggott, CEO
Compendium Blogware
Related post:
SEO Blogging vs. Community

GolfAsian Blog: 3 Years Old & Still Posting

Just have to share this email (with permission of course) that arrived in our email box last night, from client Mark Siegel. We frequently point to Mark Siegel’s business blog success when we present to groups and we love that he sends us unsolicited progress reports from time to time. Here’s Mark’s latest business blog success story…

Hi Denise and Patsi,

The Thailandgolfzone is 3 years old today and still remains the single best investment I have made in marketing and client communications, by a long mile. From your excellent set-up work and encouragement my blog has grown to over 387 posts (and counting), generated new leads that resulted in $2,000,000 US dollars (yes 2 Million!) in new business, and even catapulted me into becoming the “Thailand Golf Guru.”

For the latter I have been asked to write for Asian Golf Monthly, a major golf publication here, invited to speak on golf tourism at the Asian Golf Business Summit, interviewed by Forbes magazine along side of billionaire Herbert Kohler, and even contracted by the Thai government to be Thailand’s golf ambassador to the world! Wow, now the fun really starts!

Who would have imagined that a small one man operation like Golfasian armed with great service and a Blog Squad business blog and a customized newsletter to get the word out could have achieved so much success and fame in just 3 short years, and this is in spite of the world’s economic and equity crisis.

Well once again I have to thank you, Denise and Patsi, for your initial consultations, advice, and encouragement. I am 100% convinced that without your assistance on the Thailandgolfzone, these accomplishments over the past 3 years would have not been realized.

Keep up the great work, count me in as a true believer in your services, and feel free to use me as a reference for business blogs as well as your current venture, social networking for business success.

Best Regards,
Mark Siegel
Managing Director
Golfasian Co. Ltd.
+66-(0)2-714-8470
http://www.golfasian.com,   http://www.vietnamgolfvacation.com, and  http://www.thailandgolfzone.com
The golf experts in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia!

Blogging Success Story: Mark Siegel

Mark Siegel is a blogging success story. Mark runs the Thailand Golf Zone blog which we helped him set up and optimize about two years ago. Periodically Mark sends us updates about the success of his business which he attributes to the success of his blog.  In January we got an email from Mark saying he could directly attribute $875,000 in new revenue to his blog.
 
Yesterday, we got another raving (in a good way) email from Mark Siegel:

It’s me again, Mark Siegel, and I just wanted to say keep up the great work on blog education! What you did to help me create the Thailand Golf Zone, continues to be the single biggest marketing action that has helped fuel my Golf business’ (Golfasian) yearly TRIPLE DIGIT growth.

That’s right, even in these uncertain economic times, the advantages I have over my blog-less competitors, trust I have developed with my clients, and expert reputation I have earned with the press has come in large part from the Thailand Golf Zone blog which the Blog Squad helped set up for me 2 years and 344 posts ago.

I can not thank you both enough for this and as you can see you have turned a somewhat skeptical thinker into a blog and Blog Squad champion!

Thanks again,
Best Regards,
Mark Siegel
Managing Director
Golfasian Co. Ltd.
+66-(0)2-714-8470
http://www.golfasian.com and http://www.thailandgolfzone.com
The golf experts in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia!

Got a Blog? Guest Author Bea Vann
i Shares Her Blogging Success

The following article by Bea Vanni, was originally published by The Well Fed Writer. Disclosure: Bea Vanni is a member of our Blogging and Beyond Mentor program. She does give The Blog Squad credit for contributing to her blogging success, but we did not lobby for inclusion in her article! We’re reprinting this article to give you a perspective about business blogging other than our own. Enjoy!

GOT A BLOG? ADD ONE AND YOUR BIZ COULD SOAR!

Got a blog? Just like milk builds good bones, blogs build good business. As solo professionals, we know information helps us cut through the struggle of marketing our business. Knowledge solves our challenges and also those of our clients.

As writers we live or die by the written word, and if a potential client hears the human voice behind our passion, they’re more likely to trust us. A blog can create that connection and trust if you share your unique perspectives and teach useful techniques to fix problems.

Did you notice that you aren’t in the business of doing that thing you do, but more in the business of marketing it? Does it make it you crazy? Well, a business blog drives more traffic quicker than a website and elicits demand for your services because you show how much you care by sharing what you know. That’s what happened to me.

When I began blogging in early 2006, I didn’t know how to build my business with a blog. I only knew I wanted to share my expertise and began writing on living and working in Turkey. I didn’t have a strategy or a niche, but on the way to the blogosphere, I got discovered. All of a sudden people wanted me for my expertise: Speaking engagements, interviews, and writing projects increased two-fold.

Today, I know a lot more about how a blog conveys credibility and expert status owed to the Blog Squad www.FixMyBlog.com, experts on building a blog for business. They taught me tricks and tools most don’t know about and set my blog on the fast track to double my traffic and knowability overnight.

A professional business blog offers repeat opportunities for you to hook up with your ideal prospects and allow them to sample you, your know-how and your commitment. A blog’s not for everybody, though, so be sure you’re on the right track before you begin. It takes diligence, time and a fount of ideas to ensure success.

If you decide to blog for business, plan a strategy first and target a niche, then write tips and tricks in ample quantities aimed at what your readers want to know. To create a business blog, always use a pro’s blogging platform, like TypePad. No need for techie skills, no wait for your webmaster to post updates, or a windfall of money to pay a publicist.

Be patient because it may take a few months of writing before you begin to see results in your knowability. Foremost, tack up a subscription box from Feedblitz for your readers to subscribe to your posts, and track your blog stats with Site Meter. Both tools are FREE!

Once you post regularly, both the blog search engines and your readers will put you in their blog funnel and visit more frequently. Take it from me; build your online presence with a business blog and watch how it can transform your professional image and credibility.

About the Author
Bea Vanni specializes in the design, development and delivery of high-quality writing, editing and business solutions for consultants and SMEs who want to gain more visibility for their work and attract more clients. Check out Bea’s blog at http://www.remarkablesolutionsblog.com.

San Francisco Chiropractor Boosts Business with Back and Wrist Pain Blog

“Blogs are user-friendly, and anyone can set one up and publish on
the Web instantly. But many business professionals lack blog marketing
savvy to get good results,” says Dr. Krakoff.

“Dr. Davis wanted to improve his blog so we did a complete analysis
of the blog’s usability, branding, design, content and search engine
optimization,” adds Dr. Krakoff.

Dr. Davis publishes a blog because he knows patients are using them
to help choose chiropractors. Since most other chiropractors in San
Francisco are using static template websites to promote their services,
he wanted to do something better, something more personal so patients
could get to know him better before they came in.

“We are ¾ of the way done with the blog makeover, and my blog looks
100% better than before, I am posting almost every day, and my blog
traffic has increased 500%. It is currently my #1 source of new
patients,” states Dr. Davis.

Not all businesses that jump into blogging experience instant
success. Like any marketing tool it requires time and energy. Although
it is one of the least expensive ways to reach a broad audience of
prospects, it requires frequent writing to get readers and new business.

“When a company doesn’t post frequently on their blog, and isn’t
using it well,” adds Dr. Krakoff, “It looks like a neglected store.
Visitors leave with a bad impression of the business. Most business
bloggers don’t realize that a few tweaks to a blog can make a big
difference.”

Businesses interested in improving their blog results should visit  www.fixmyblog.com for details on how to get started.

[Please note: Patsi’s Private List is now closed. Please subscribe to this blog by using the form in the upper right hand corner, that way you will get updates and know when it opens again…]

“Writing optimized, compelling, keyword-rich content on the Internet is the quickest, least expensive, easiest way to grow sales and build your business…”

Are you a smart professional using the Web to get known, get found, get clients?

Have you mastered the tools to attract, sell and profit online?

If you’re having trouble keeping up with Internet marketing, and not getting the results you want, you aren’t alone.

Unless you capture readers’ attention quickly with what they want, they’re gone in a blink… Click and bye-bye!

You’ve got to stay ahead of the curve AND know what’s right for your specific audience.

What’s a busy professional to do? You’re an expert in your field, NOT an Internet marketer! (And with some of the sleezy sales pitches they sling around, who wants to be?)

You need results. I’ve been making a good living online since 1999 and while that’s not long, in Internet years, it’s long enough to know what works and what’s a waste of time.

Join my Private List and short cut the time it takes you to master Web and content marketing to grow your business quickly.

Every time I introduce a new product, I’ll announce it to my Private List first. You get a chance to review and give feedback, but only if you wish. When It’s time to launch, you get an opportunity to participate and earn commissions. AND, you’ll get 50-75% off the public prices!

It’s win-win for both of us. I only want feedback from smart people motivated and ambitious enough to know a good deal when it comes a-knockin’.

I’ll be adding a bonus report for joining the list shortly so stay tuned.

You’ll get this bonus report when you sign up:

20 Mistakes Smart Professionals Makes with their Blogs

And don’t worry, your personal information is safe. You’ll only receive valuable content, not sales spam. I promise you that.