Good question, Gerald, because we really don’t hear as much about link exchanges as we did in the past.  I think the big reason for it is it’s effectiveness (or lack thereof).  Search engine spiders are much smarter than they were 2 or 3 years agos.  And most will recognize a “link exchange” rather easily.

For those who don’t know what a link exchange is, it is when you approach another website (usually with similar content to yours) and ask them to place a nice, keyword-rich anchor text link back to your website.  In exchange, you will do the same for them.  Remember that an important part of SEO is backlinks (i.e., receiving links from other websites pointing back to you).  A few years ago, a lot of this “linking power” was represented by a Page Rank.  Getting high Page Rank websites to point back to you effectively will increase your own page rank.

Personally, I think Page Rank is a bit of a farce these days (at least the public one).  I do think the major search engines (like Google) have there own ranking system based on popularity, but it would not be public.  Still, getting links from “authority sites” with relevance (to your niche) is always key. 

Now getting back to the question…I think link exchanges (or “reciprocal linking”) is really not going to help or hurt you.  Any backlink (in most cases) usually will help you.  But if there is a reciprocal link, the spiders will usually recognize this and probably not give you proper popularity for it. 

Again, like everything SEO, this is speculation, but I know there has been a lot of abuse of link exchanges over the years (like link farms, paid text links, etc.) to draw a lot of attention to it.  I used to do it quite a bit.  I don’t really do it any more (unless I am quite friendly with the website and we exchange primarily for the traffic, not the SEO).  I think your efforts would be better suited to article writing/submission, press releases, even directory submissions. 

You can also consider n-way link exchanges.  For a 3-way link exchange example: Site A links to Site B, Site B links to Site C, and Site C links to Site A.  You can do this rather deeply, too.  But still, the search engine spiders are smart and may start recognizing the linking footprints.  The larger the “n”, the better off you are…but of course, this is a hell of a lot more work and requires some skillful coordination.

Personally, I have become somewhat of an a-hole about link exchange requests.  I don’t get as many as I used to, but when I do I usually ignore them. 

cheers…matt

P.S. If you want to know more about Getting Backlinks, check out SEOExciter.com.  (There are 10 free videos over there that shows you how!)

One of the most exciting things about starting something on the internet is the domain name.  It is really where you start and where your initial ideas can go rampant.  They are pretty darn cheap, too (only $7.49 with the GoDaddy Coupon).  So we are rather motivated to buy a domain the minute we get the idea (and that domain is available!).  Me personally, I have done it dozens of times.

But how many of these domains are actually be developed?  Sure, it seems like a great idea Sunday night to buy it, but by Monday it can be rather forgotten (at least for a week…maybe a month).

Been there, done that TONS of times.

But just because you purchased a domain and haven’t done anything with it doesn’t mean that you can’t monetize it either.  By default, companies like GoDaddy will “park” your unused domain.  And parking is good…as long as you are the one making money!

Here is how domain parking works…Instead of putting a website on your domain, a third-party company will do it for you.  They will then (litter) the page with advertising.  It kind of looks like a search engine result, in fact.  If someone happens to arrive on your unused website and clicks one of these links, there is advertising revenue to be made (just like Adsense).  You would then share the revenue with the company who sets it up.

Now with GoDaddy, they DO park your website by default, but they initially do not share the revenue with you.  They offer a “parking” package with a monthly fee to share this revenue.

What a bunch of BS!

Parking your website should be FREE and EASY. In today’s video, I use Sedo, a free parking service, to park one of my GoDaddy domain names (just because you bought it at GoDaddy doesn’t mean you cannot park it elsewhere!).  It takes me less than 5 minutes to set up, too.

Plus, with Sedo, you can open your domain name up for sale or bidding.  Again, not a bad idea if you bought the domain but don’t think you are going to develop it in the future.  I’ve personally sold an “unused” domain for about $1000 in the past.  I’ve also purchased some great domains from Sedo in the past, too.

My point is that if you currently have some domain names you are not using, you might as well park them and start making some money (you can add as many domains as you like to Sedo).  It is free to and easy to set up (as the video shows).  Plus, you just may find that one buyer is willing to pay you top dollar for it.

Start Parking Your Domains Now!

cheers…matt

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Read the Full Sedo Review Here

This is a quickie for the day…

When using the Wordpress Thesis theme, you may want to create “Pages” (instead of Posts) that look like real web pages (not a blog).  Removing the comments is simple and most know how to do that:

But you may want to remove the sidebar widgets, as well.  This is just as simple!  On the right side of the “Edit Page” in your admin, there is a “Page Attributes” menu (just below the “Update” button).  Select “No Sidebar” and you are done.

It’s that simple with Thesis!

cheers…matt

P.S.  Don’t have Thesis, get it now before they upgrade to version 2.0 and raise their price (buying now will lock in the old price and provide you with the upgrade for free!).

• Learn More About Thesis
• Read the full Thesis Review

Hey Britt,

Your intention is RIGHT (at least with backlinks) but your execution may be a problem.  Let me know explain.

First, anchor text is extremely important when it comes to SEO (search engine optimization).  This is the highlighted text that people can click on.  It is cool because it can hide an ugly URL, but more importantly, it provides search engines (like Google) a correlation between keywords (words that people may search for in a search engine) and the landing page (the page that your link is pointing to).  Using keyword-rich, relevant anchor text is KEY to ranking high in Google search. 

Quick Note:  Italics may add a little bit to the on-page SEO, but really doesn’t do very much for optimization!

Now to your question.  My first suggestion is to ALWAYS use a WYSIWYG editor to do your writing, if you are not well hearsed in HTML.  These editors allow you to select a word (or more), highlight them, and then assign a destination web page (this button usually looking like a chain “link”).

In general HTML, links are created using anchor tags:

<a href=”http://yourdestinationsite.com”>Your Anchor Text</a>

The structure (above) uses an href parameter which you assign to your destination URL.  Then, you place the anchor text.  Then you close it with an closing tag:  </a>.  Again, this is not meant to be an HTML lesson, but a quick description on what hyperlinks look like in raw HTML.

Now your other question concerns:  “Should I underline it?” 

No need to.  Yes, the “standard convention” to hyperlinks is that they are usually underlined and blue.  But there are simple ways to change the look of these links using Cascaded Style Sheets (CSS).  Many designed themes, for example, may change this for aethetic reasons.  They can very easily remove the underline and/or change the color. 

This doesn’t change the link at all!

It simply changes how we see it.  From an SEO stand-point, it doesn’t hurt a bit.  From a conversion stand-point, maybe…it depends on whether this new style identifies that text as a link (like a different color shade, a background color, etc.).  You decide whether it looks like a link or not.

And if you are not sure if it is a link or not, just click it!  If it doesn’t take you anyway, then it is probably not linked correctly.

Hope this helps!  cheers…matt

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To learn more about SEO Basics, visit http://www.SeoExciter.com.

I thought it was funny a couple of weeks ago when my cousin commented about my video blog:

“What’s up with the collared shirt?”

I told him “It’s All About the Business.”  But I thought it brought up a good point, especially since my blog is *supposed* to be a representation of me (hell, it is named after me, right?).

So attached is a video for you.  It is both sides of me!

Yes, I DO usually make a concerted effort to look “informal, but professional” on my videos.  In most cases, this involves me putting a collared shirt over some scrappy t-shirt that I may be wearing.  I suppose some of it is just embarrassment (since I have NO fashion sense, and frankly, I don’t care about it either in my daily life). Still, for my visitors (you, for example) I feel that I owe more of a professional look (like any businessman putting on a suit for work).

I don’t mind doing it and it does give me a pseudo-differentiation between “work” and “pleasure”.

My point, though, is that I made a conscience effort to portray myself in this image versus my “real (super informal) image”.  I do this because I do take my online business seriously and I want to attract “serious” visitors and followers, too.  My training and reviews represent this image better.  Therefore, that is what I show.

Sure, I do sometime slip with a “System of a Down” t-shirt or a Chargers jersey, but that is to be humorous (and usually “planned”, too).

What do YOU think?

Leave a comment below.  Do you want “professional-looking Matt” or “informal (slobby) Matt”?

cheers…matt

OK, I think this is a very fair question to ask (because I know many of you have experienced this!).

Now to be fair, I’m answering this in more general terms since I really do not know the details of your efforts or what you have tried to do.  But there is a pattern (at least in the question you pose) that is really worth addressing…

The one thing that popped out at me on your JustAskMatt question is the number of completely different things you have tried.  Lots of apples and oranges here.  When I first started, I went after affiliate marketing (in the Clickbank space to be exact).  I grinded away at one niche and one website.  I focused primarily on PPC at first.  And yes, I lost a couple of hundred bucks.  But I learned a lot and after a couple of months, I got my first sale.  It wasn’t profitable until the 4th month (and that was like a few bucks).

My point is to really fight for one thing and go with it.  The biggest problem with internet marketing are the distractions.  There are so many methods out there and “the next best thing” is always around the corner.  And it is fine to explore these things, but get the first one working first.

And I know, the “implied” second question: “Which one is best to do first?”

That is up to you.  One thing you do have right now is an understanding on what is out there.  Follow the one that works *best* for you.  Me personally, I am good at affiliate marketing and SEO.  I personally don’t like doing social media that much and I am not much of a salesman, so things like MLM’s I don’t pursue.  That is best for me.  Find your niche.  Then find the avenue that suites you best to monetize it.  And then just focus (good or bad).  Rome wasn’t built in a day, right?  Neither is this.

Hang in there Greg!  Despite what most adcopy may say, their WILL be hurdles to overcome.

cheers…matt

I would say the most common question that I am asked is “Where should I start online?”

But I think the better question is “HOW do I start online?”

Getting started is one of the hardest steps to building a business online.  I’ve seen this time and time again: People buying into programs and eBooks and seminars and coaching, but at the end of the day, nothing is happening.

“What am I Going to Do Online?”

Yes, it is a tough question to answer and to some degree, this decision may affect both your success or failure with making money online. But I still tell everyone the same thing:

“START SOMETHING”

Yes, I am a big advocate of research and testing and choosing that right niche and right product, but at the same time it can be like chasing your tail, too.  Plus, if you are just starting, you really are in the dark with what’s to come.

“What do I do once I find my niche?”

Good point!  And I have seen this happen, too.  This is when technology scares the “bleep” out of people.  It is kind of the point when a person realizes:

“Do I really have to build a website?”

OK, these are a lot of questions and I want to get back to my original point…

START YOUR WEBSITE TODAY.

This is my BEST advice to anyone starting online.  If you are reading this and do not have a website up, this is YOUR CALL TO ACTION to start it today.

I don’t mean to sound to “preachy” (or worse, “pitchy”) but just getting SOMETHING up on the web now is going to help out later, guaranteed. This is what I tell my clients:

Start a Wordpress Blog and Start Writing in it!

I don’t care what you write in it, either.  Write about your kids.  Write about your day at work.  Write about the current batch of beer you are brewing in the garage (I’m totally into Home Brewing, BTW!).  Write about the Padres (being in First Place!) or even your opinion about Mel Gibson and Lindsey Lohan.

Just Get it Up and Write Something.

Why? OK, so here are a list of reason why starting your blog today is better than tomorrow (which is better than after you “find your niche”…which is better than never!)…

1)  Having your own website will give you SO MUCH confidence about building stuff online.

2) The process of building this site is SUPER EASY, yet SUPER SATISFYING!

3) Practice!  Get ready for the “real deal”.  You will save tons of time and effort later on if you are already familiar with the process.

4) Understand your own abilities and limitations. This will help when brainstorming HOW you want your niche to be portrayed online.

5) Testing Grounds!  Play around with new widgets and themes at no risk to your business.

6)  Search Engine Rankings are still important!  It takes both time and content to be seen and respected by major search engines like Google.  Start being seen now! (Rankings can sometimes take MONTHS!)

7) Search Engine Rankings can be shared with other sites (kind of like a primer!).  You can use this blog to “prime” the search engines of new sites you create by linking to them…better yet, use this site as your money site in the future!

Build a Following Now.  Social media is important and getting your name out there and in the circles (especially during the research phase) is important.  This blog will give people a place to find and follow you.

9) Wordpress & Thesis (the blog platform and optimized paid theme) offer a 1-2 punch with being optimized for both search engines and social media.  Both are easy to set up and with Thesis, making your blog (or even website) customized can be done with simple forms (no technical skills required).

10)  Some Cash!  Add some simple (and FREE) Adsense or other advertising links onto your blog.

You just need to do two things to make all of this happen and create a tremendous online foundation for whatever you end up doing:

ONE: Create Your Blog

TWO: Write in Your Blog

That is it!  Get it up and running and start writing in it.  The more you write, the better, but if it is just one-time per week, that is still better than nothing.  Just be consistent in your writing habits.  Traffic WILL come.  Search engines WILL find your site.  You WILL now have leverage with no matter what you choose to do (and maybe even make some money while you are at it!).

Today’s video outlines the general path it takes to:

1) Buying a Domain Name and Hosting

2) Setting Up a Wordpress Blog

3) Installing the awesome Thesis Theme

To watch the full video set, simply go to:

From Thoughts to Thesis in 3 Simple Steps

(WEEKEND SPECIAL: Free Thesis License & Installation Offer! Learn More… - offer expires on Sunday, August 1st at Midnight!)

cheers…matt

Don’t get confused, though, between the Payment Gateway (like Authorize.net) and the Merchant (which is the bank).  Authorize.net is fairly common with many online merchants (and most of the time, they dictate the gateway).  This gateway is like the “processing machine” or the middle man between the transaction online and the bank.  When choosing shopping carts and merchants, be sure that their gateways are compatible (like when using things like 1ShoppingCart, InfusionSoft, XCart, etc.).

In the online space, companies like PowerPay seem to dominate, but there are tons of other options out there.  Check out the rates and the monthly fees, but also, if just starting, beggars may not be choosers.  There is usually an iterative process to getting accounts.  Many merchants require to see the sales page and shopping cart first.  Then there are the “limits” (how much you can charge per item and per month).  Unless you have a proven track record, these limits can start off low (which may be OK at first, but keep it in mind…you will be able to raise it after you prove yourself, but if you expect to merchant a multi-million dollar launch like Jeff, it is going to be tough without the history behind it).

One final note about recurring payments…Merchant companies (aka, banks) are looking down on continuity programs quite a bit.  Remember that Visa shut down all “negative option” (i.e., $1 trials + forced membership) continuity programs in the US at the end of last year (me being a victim!).  So they are cracking down on this stuff quite a bit and they are much more “picky” if they initially hear you want to charge on a recurring basis.  Don’t let this discourage you, but keep in mind.

Those are just a few thoughts on merchants…more questions are always welcome!  (I deal with it a lot these days, it seems!)…cheers…matt

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To learn more, visit our PowerPay Review and other Merchant Account Reviews.

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Really good question here because this topic is very “hot” these days.  I like to call it the “GroupOn Phenomenon”.  It is essentially local targeted affiliate marketing and its impact has been huge of late (I personally use sites like GroupOn.com and Restaurant.com regularly).

Both of these sites are great examples of how to get traffic.

For GroupOn.com, they focus on word-of-mouth and social media. This is how I recommend that you start out.  Using tools like Twitter and Facebook is a great place to start!  One warning, though…I wouldn’t start off trying to cover all of cities (like your site shows).  This is too much to initially manage.  I would focus on your own local community and city.  This is easier to create a social following and will help you develop your own “process” to getting deals out regularly.  As this grows, so can your area.  Plus, if you stay local, you can approach local business easier and get the “best” deals out there (ones no one else can get).  This will help develop your own reputation and will encourage people to “spread the word”.

For Restaurant.com, they focus a lot on their own affiliate program (managed by Commission Junction).  This is much more costly and you do need to know your backend profit numbers, but it is a much faster way of getting traffic and sign-ups.  You are probably not ready for this, but realize that this is how some of the bigger daily deal sites do it.

I think local deal sites are great idea, but don’t make it too big, too soon.  Focus on your own, local social circle first and then grow it from there.  Good luck!  cheers…matt

OK, so we’ve made it past the big “Product Launch Formula” - launch.

Boy, it kind of feels good, too.  I really do love watching a master at work!  I know most of you were watching this from a buyers stand-point, but as an affiliate, it is an amazing experience to see how a true product launch guru manages a major product launch.

And just like many of you who were participating in the launch, there were plenty of emotions and decisions to make.  Some of you purchased (and I’ll promise you that you won’t be disappointed in what you bought).  Some of you considered buying but didn’t pull the trigger…that’s ok.  But I am sure you learned a lot in the process and the excitement of the launch was great!

As an affiliate, I go through a similar emotional roller coaster;  Decisions on when to send to the list, what kind of bonuses to offer and participating in much of the same content you watched.  Then, there are the sales (aka, the payoff).  Getting a sale is a high…knowing it is going to end is a low.  But successful nevertheless.

So today I am offering a treat in the above video!  One of the biggest hurdles in mastering the “product launch” is the affiliate/JV recruitment.  On paper, it seems like a simple task, but in reality it can be quite a struggle!

(I know, I get JV requests on a daily basis…and typically ignore 99% of them).

But I know how I choose my 1% and so does Jeff Walker.  I have NEVER experienced an internet marketing launch that had the JV support that PLF 3.0 did.

So how did he do it?  And more importantly, how can YOU do it yourself?  Watch the video…hopefully it will give you some ideas!

cheers…matt

P.S.  And if you DID buy the PLF from me, be sure to email your receipt and address to me at justaskmatt@matthewbredel.com!  I owe you a Home Study Course!