The truth about web content is that you have unfathomable potential to create, destroy, and recreate whatever and whenever you want.

I can always tell when my new clients hail from the corporate world. Their approach toward the marketing is limited and stifling - because they haven’t yet grasped that this is the web… which means you have unlimited space/opportunities to communicate.

If you were creating a brochure, it would be a different story. Printing and design are expensive. You’d have limited space to say what you wanted to say, and you’d have limited chances to bop your potential customers over the head and say, “Look what we’ve got going on over here!”

The web is not like that at all! I mean, basically you’re looking at a blank sheet of paper that is infinite in all directions. You can write whatever you want on that “paper.” You can erase what you wrote and write something else. You can keep what you wrote, but then say something different that has virtually nothing to do with what you said before. It’s almost like… talking!

So, when clients come to me wanting to Go Really Slow… write endless drafts until they get the “perfect” message on the homepage… etc….

I want so badly to be able to show them the FREEDOM that they have here. It’s really so much different than the creative process, the way that marketing professionals from in-house operations and ad agencies typically know it.

I mean, you can do a couple drafts if you want, sure… that can only improve your copy, I think. But the truth is that if you tossed up half-written copy on your homepage tonight, you could change it “live” six times this week and it really wouldn’t affect your audience in the long run.

You could get a blog and start “branding” or “talking to” your future customers right now. You don’t need a team of people with made-up titles critiquing your every move. Or if someone does come by and point out a flaw in your blog content… you can change it… ON THE FLY!

Thus, web copy is much more of a free and unfettered means of communicating. Sure, you want to get the “audience” right and you want to be able to polish your sales pitch.

But it’s really such a different animal that I can’t even begin to know how to explain this to new customers wanting to hold tons of meetings, ponder the brand from every angle, find the “perfect” way to say it.

There will never be a “perfect” way - it’s all in your head, totally fabricated. Once you let go of the perfectionist mentality and the limited mindset, you’ll see that the web can really get you so much farther than print marketing could ever pretend to.

I think the key is to not be afraid. Instead, be flexible… be open to new ideas and ways of doing things. Be observant… look at what other people are doing, see how it works for them. Do that, but put your own spin on it. Make it work for what YOU do, within YOUR context.

On the web, your goal is to create a LOT of content in a short amount of time, and just keep steadily communicating to your audience. That’s really it. If your web person know what the heck he or she is doing, they’ll be open to working with you in any one of a number of ways.

If you want to start an internet business but don’t know where to begin, I encourage you to take a first step and just get a blog. A basic blog will help you loosen up and find your “voice” online. From there, the possibilities are pretty much endless. An experienced website professional will know this, and can help get you there.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Does the prospect of signing up for website hosting boggle your mind? A Wordfeeder reader recently wrote in to ask me a few questions about purchasing hosting for a new website. Here are my responses:

Q: Is there any reason not to buy a domain name AND hosting from the same provider? Network Solutions offers domain purchase along with hosting. If I can do name and hosting as a package deal w/netsolutions, I can save some $.

A: It’s a better idea to keep your domain and hosting with two separate companies. This way, if you ever experience a problem with one company or if they unexpectedly go out of business, you won’t be SOL.

Q: Godaddy recommended not using Hotmail-type email accounts when signing up to buy a domain through them. Any opinion? I could use our Comcast.com email account if it’s better to do so.

A: I’m really not sure why GoDaddy gives out this info. I took their advice with my first sites. Used the email account that I got when I signed up for internet in my town, which was Comcast at the time. For a while, there was a problem because GoDaddy kept sending emails to that danged account which was cancelled when I moved. In fact… to this day, with every new website I purchase, they automatically put me on that email account, which does not exist. And each time it happens, I update my address to use my Yahoo account instead, which I have never had any sort of problem with. So, who knows. But good question.

Q: Should I register a domain name that “says what it is” or should I try to get clever and creative? For example, GoDaddy.com obviously does not “explain what they do.” Does that make a difference?

A: Yes - if you use the exact keywords in your domain name, you WILL get more google cred.

Q: When I sign up to purchase a domain name, there are also options for “certified” and “protected” hosting or domain accounts. This seems like a little unnecessary fluff. Agree?

A: I have never “certified” any of my sites, nor have I ever run into any problem as a result of not doing so. The only situation where you might want to consider privatizing your domain is if you plan to market “incognito” (using a pen name, for example). You might do this if your site is one of the more racy topics - for example, the fine folks at http://revengecrabs.com may not wish to share their identities unless pressed for this information.

Q: The hosting company I’m thinking about going with offers different account options, i.e. starter, biggie, bigger, biggest. I do not understand what all the gigabyte available stuff means; seems like “starter” would make sense for me. They also talk about setting up with Unix. Seems a little too much to me. Do you think going through Windows is good enough?

A: Starter Account is fine for a startup business, and you should actually host on UNIX. I know, one would think Windows because we all use Windows, but Unix is the better option. Boston Computing explains it much better than I ever could hope to.

Popularity: 35% [?]

Hey! You know what? I’m getting really tired of the Debbie Downers (wah, wah!!) who keep whining about the economy. One of my friends actually announced on her Facebook page that she cries every time she hears another news report on the topic. Wow. That is what I call being paralyzed by fear.

It’s not that I’m oblivious… but when times are “tough” like this, is when opportunities truly abound. First, because things cost less. Second, because the population is vulnerable and a “willing ear” for your persuasion.

Some cool and heartening facts I just learned about:

* Several successful businesses such as Microsoft and Disney began during recessions.

* There are over 16 million home based businesses in the U.S. - that means people out there who might have a need for YOUR products or services!

I feel like a broken record. But you’re still putting food on your table, right? You still go to the mall and buy things, right? The Chicken Little mentality does no good to anyone. Rather, we should be pulling oursleves up by the bootstraps. Think about how you can find creative ways to earn money. Put the word out that you’re consulting now. Launch an online business - it’s cheap and easy!

This Valentine’s Day weekend, why not show your (future) business some love, with some low-cost lessons on how to market your services and products more successfully.

Wordfeeder Copywriting and Marketing is offering Limited Time Only Pricing on the following must-haves for your business or future business on the web:

1. Article Power: How to Attract Paying Clients Online by Writing Web Articles

2. The Dangerous Truth About How to Write Copy That Sells

3. Biz-Feeder: The Private Group for Do-It-Yourself Marketers (Get on my list now!)

4. The Copywriter’s Bedside Bible(Learn How to Earn a Living Writing Copy from the Comfort of Home. Coming Soon!)

Check out This Page for your Special Valentine’s Offers from Wordfeeder Copywriting!

And have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Popularity: 65% [?]

If you’ve ever thought about buying paid advertising in Google or Yahoo, but thought the costs were too high, you might be right. Even though you set a budget for PPC ads (Pay-Per-Click), are you really getting your money’s worth?

Paid or sponsored listings, those ads at the top and right side of search results, may not be getting as many clicks as you’d expect. Research indicates that approximately 60 to 80% of people click on organic listings over paid ones, probably because they know sponsored ads will be sales campaigns. If the searcher is just looking for information, they don’t want to be sold to! Additionally, if you’re looking for people with a higher level of education to click on your organic listing, don’t bother with PPC.

Search engines also record your ranking history, so your organic listing will stand the test of time and you’ll continue to rank higher, especially as you implement more and more SEO and ranking techniques that you learn from this blog. If you’re still curious about how Google’s PPC campaigns work visit https://adwords.google.com. You might test a few ads with a limited budget and see what results you get.

Popularity: 40% [?]

1. Work virtually. Copywriters, graphic artists and web designers are easily accessible via the internet. We communicate by phone and email, and pass files electronically. That means no overhead expenses for you to cover - no utility bills, computer upgrades, and NO medical plan!

2. Streamline your communication. Work out designated check-points in the project where you can review drafts, ask questions and supply missing information. Avoid sending email “blips” that confuse instead of clarify - this is a huge time sucker!

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 94% [?]

by Dina Giolitto

Some of us simply don’t want to spend the money on a professional photo shoot for our websites and social networking profiles. Besides… with digital cameras offering such high image quality these days, with a little extra effort you can get results that are just as impressive as if you paid top dollar for a photographer.

Some tips for ensuring that you’re shown in your best light:

1. Wait until the afternoon to take your photo.

There are a couple of reasons for this. One, we typically retain water during our sleep, which is why we look “puffier” first thing in the morning, especially around the eyes. To get rid of the excess fluid, avoid high sodium foods for the rest of the day. Hydrate your body with plenty of liquids. You might try flushing your system with unsweetened cranberry juice, water with a squeeze of lemon, or green tea. Keep drinking, and by 2 p.m. or so your face will show the results.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 63% [?]

by Dina Giolitto

Your brand is an extension of your company’s mission and values. Your company exists for a specific purpose–whether it’s to provide environmentally friendly cleaning products or a healthy meal for families. Your brand is the visual concept and reinforcement of your mission and values. Now is the time to evaluate what your company mission and values are.

Company mission

Disney’s is to “make people happy.” Boeing’s is “to push the leading edge of aviation, taking huge challenges doing what others cannot do.” 3M’s is “to solve unsolved problems innovatively.” What is your company’s mission? First, it’s important to understand what a mission is and what it represents for your company. Then you’ll be able to better determine what your company mission is, or what it should be. Since the mission can act as a strong marketing and branding tool for clients, establishing an effective mission is imperative to your company’s success.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 64% [?]

by Dina Giolitto

It’s tempting, when the news headlines are screaming about government financial bailouts, to just sit there with your mouth hanging open as you ponder what might happen to your 401K.

However, in tough times, the LAST thing you should be doing is waiting for further instructions.

If you were a Boy Scout (and even if you weren’t), then you’re no doubt familiar with their catch phrase: “Be prepared.” That’s about the best advice anyone can give. And it’s especially relevant when managing a business.

When people start to clutch their purse strings more tightly, and supply and demand turns on its head, here’s what you need to do RIGHT NOW to ensure that your company stays afloat in trying times.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 95% [?]

If there’s any time to dream up a theme for your marketing, it’s NOW, before the holidays hit. Yes, we’re only just approaching fall… but before you know it, the malls will be decked with holly and teeming with Santa Clauses. Are you prepared for the deluge of competition?

Large corporations begin planning for their holiday campaign launches in the thick of summer!

Here’s a Christmas toy catalog cover that I worked on “back in the day.” I’m quite certain that the air conditioning in my cubicle was kicking when I wrote this.

Your holiday marketing event needn’t be an expensive or time-consuming affair. With a little creative input from you, Wordfeeder.com can help you launch a holiday campaign like this to drive more business in December!

So, the holiday season looms, and with competition fierce in a tough economy, it’s time to get out there, get known, and get more clients. Here are some holiday ideas you can implement in a hurry…………

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 67% [?]

Okay, so the Wayback Machine is not nearly as cool as Christopher Lloyd’s DeLorean… but I must admit, having an archive that “takes you back” to prior versions of your website can come in handy.

The Wayback Machine is also known as the “internet archive” and you can find it at http://www.archive.org/index.php. It’s great for those days when you’re feeling sentimental and want to “go back in time” to see how far your website has evolved.

I’ll give you a peek at the “awfulness” that was Wordfeeder.com circa 2004:

http://web.archive.org/web/20040208163833/http://www.wordfeeder.com/

YIKES! Look at that wretched template that I borrowed from Trellix… and how about that godawful pun at the bottom of the page?

(Go ahead and try it; type your URL right into the box at the top right of the page… and see how far you’ve come in the world of business website design!)

One thing I must emphasize: the Wayback Machine has a much greater value than looking at old versions of your website and laughing your head off. I’ve found it to be a lifesaver when you accidentally delete a page from your server and want to “recover” old copy and/or images that have been lost.

Even if the copy isn’t an exact duplicate of what you needed, having an earlier version is still MUCH better than having to start from scratch.

The Wayback Machine is also useful for when you want to learn more about people who you might be working with in the future.

Bookmark The Wayback Machine so you’ll have it when you need it.

Popularity: 33% [?]