APD-Marketing Newsletter

Welcome to the May 2007 edition of the APD Marketing newsletter.

First of all I hope last month’s “kick ass” newsletter served its purpose and jolted you into action.

How much have you achieved since Aprils edition?

Another tough question, but…no more kicking backside this month, just a friendly reminder to get on and do something! After all, it is in your own interest…isn’t it?

As it happens, I’ve just put the fnishing touches to actually writing down my entire time management system. So, soon, very soon, I’m going to make my powerful time management system available for everyone. And…since I kicked my own rear end and re-implemented the system, things have been fying. It’s incredible how much I’ve got done.

Edit 2009, this system is now available as Total Control - learn how to control time and money. If you haven’t got it, go get it…it has changed lives!

Alison is just proofng the eBook at the moment, so as soon as it’s ready for release, I’ll let you know. This is a set of really powerful tools that will just sky rocket your effectiveness and ability to get things done. It will also massively increase your ability to develop new projects.

I know it blew Alison’s socks off and she has now implemented the system as well. She is absolutely amazed at what’s happened to her ability to just power through incredible amounts of work in a short space of time.

I’ve got some guinea pigs (in the nicest possible way) working the system right now. Once they report back with any minor tweaks or changes that may be needed, I’ll be putting it out on general release just as soon as I can.

Make sure you watch out for this, as it will really enhance your ability to move on to real wealth!

So, moving on. It is indeed story time this month.

I’ve been having an email exchange with a guy this last week or two. He’s young, enthusiastic and desperate to make his way in Internet Marketing, so we’ve been discussing a few issues this last couple of weeks.

By the way, I love it when people are so enthusiastic, it rubs off on you, doesn’t it?

Anyway, he said something that got me thinking. Basically, he’s decided, as he doesn’t have much seed capital, that he’s going to go the route of affiliate marketing.

My view? If you’re starting at the bottom with very little money, it’s a great way to get going and quickly get up to a six-fgure income (provided you get it right).

So, what did he say?

Simply this…” I’ve been told it’s all about making money not friends.”

I thought I’d mentioned this topic in passing last month. Things such as over delivery being the way to go and proper, quality service - but clearly the message didn’t get through.

It also made me think about an affliate program that I’m in. A program where orders have been outstanding for over a month and I can’t get a reply from the help desk that gives me any comfort.

Obviously I can’t tell you which program it is, but if you knew, I guarantee you would fall off of the chair you are reading this from. So, I thought I would give you the benefit of my wisdom on this touchy, feely subject this month.

You see, the Internet is an impersonal place. You can’t see the person you’re dealing with. You can’t see their offices or what they’re wearing. And, people are naturally suspicious, it’s the human condition – particularly when buying online.

So, I believe you have to offer exceptional service. Exceed people’s expectations.

If you do this, the viral word will spread in your favour. Fail in this or try to pull the wool over peoples eyes intentionally…and that viral word will become particularly virulent and attack you with gusto!

So, here are a few ideas that might just help you get this area right.
Look After Your Customers

It’s much easier to KEEP a customer than gain one. 80% of your business comes from 20% of your customers (the Pareto rule for those that are interested). These are two key principles in your customer management.

Offer free stuff, special discounts, basically do whatever you need to in order to keep your customers, to keep them coming back.

Time Keeping

I mentioned above I can’t get an answer from a helpdesk on a key issue with one of my affliate programs. The bottom line is they have five BIG orders that they have just not delivered for over a month. Big-ticket items. All they will say is “they are out of stock”.

Having spent good money promoting them, I want to know when they are going to be in stock so I can turn what is a current loss into a profit. A fair question in my humble opinion!

However, I just cannot get an answer to the question that I have now sent them four times. They fudge the issue constantly. How would you feel in this situation?

So, the rule has to be - always answer queries on time and honestly.

Everyone knows email is almost instantaneous. I know if I haven’t had a reply within a few hours I start getting tetchy about it. I’m sure most people do. So, answer emails promptly.

Don’t Promote Crap

This is the quickest way to lose customers! You only have to do this once and they’re gone forever. Plain and simple. You might make a few quid up front, but…long term the damage is irreparable.

I only ever promote products that I have tried and tested myself.

Test Your Systems

I know this might seem obvious, but…you should test that your sales mechanisms work before you go live or start promoting a product. If you’re working as an affiliate you’ll know, as you would have brought the product yourself. If it’s your own product, just make sure.

People will just go away again if the sales process doesn’t work. I guarantee no one will bother to tell you, so test it yourself.

You Can Apologise

Indeed, if something goes wrong you should apologise. It’s common decency. In this break-neck culture that we find ourselves in, traditional values have slipped.

However, those values are still very much sought after by most people, particularly in business.

Indeed an apology for an error can be turned into a positive, and a customer made more loyal.

I had a situation where a refund just got missed out of the system. I had one very irate customer and rightly so. However, I apologised and made the refund that day. I also sent him a complimentary eBook. He’s now purchased two products from me – I rest my case.

Sometimes things will just go wrong - no matter what you do, so, don’t be afraid to apologise.

So, to sum up, take a look at your business from the customers’ perspective.

Is there a reliable contact mechanism? Is your website professional, does it all work? Does the order process work? How do you deal with your customers?

Just take a second to think how you like to be dealt with yourself. If you apply that to your own customers you won’t go far wrong!

And…finally.

At last, the portal is alive and kicking. Please feel free to go and have a browse and download the free stuff.

All the past newsletters are there (theyre here now actually - March 2009) and the business course in case you missed a part or just lost it plus some new free stuff – enjoy!

I’ve transferred the portal to the main domain at…

www.apd-marketing.co.uk

In the fnal analysis, once I’d got this job allocated it took just one and a half days to complete.

And…that includes sitting down with the developer and doing all of the “business analysis” – that’s putting the design and specification together of how the site should work.

There may well be a few “bits” that don’t quite work properly and a couple of bits still under development. BUT…I did promise it would be done by this month, otherwise I seem to remember I suggested some ridiculous forfeit.

However, it is live – whew!
Both the Time Management and Copywriting products should be ready this month, I’ll mail you when they go live.

Otherwise, that’s it for May, I’ll be back in June with a bumper birthday edition.

As always…to *YOUR* success!

Cheers now and have fun.
Derek

Internet Marketing from APD