| It's that simply really, you need to know: | | | | account with some ambiguous number attached to it. |
| -Where you are now -Where you want to go -How | | | | (Apparently I was supposed to know what that |
| you are proposing to get there -What you think it will | | | | meant.) I didn't know where it came from, what |
| cost -What tools or skills you will need to have or | | | | campaign generated it, or whom that actual person |
| acquire to make it all come together -and how much | | | | was that shelled out the money. |
| time you have to devote to the effort. | | | | I had nothing. I was beating my head against the wall to |
| What you need to DO FIRST is simple. Grab a piece | | | | figure out how I might duplicate that success. If I could |
| of paper and a trusty pen (or pencil, whichever you | | | | have funneled that through a large CPM/CPA network |
| prefer) and start writing a basic outline of your goals | | | | it could have been multiplied a few hundred thousand |
| and desires along with a rough sketch or how you | | | | times over. (what an idiot) |
| might get there. | | | | Now let's say that $9 profit cost me $100 in advertising |
| This preliminary game plan will be a bit more than just | | | | or whatever promotion I had used. That $9 looks like |
| rough; it will be a big hairy knarled creature dripping with | | | | chump change I realize, but it could have turned into (if I |
| muck and mire. But, if kept on a tight leash, it will be a | | | | was half smart enough to plan properly, if I tracked my |
| great starting point to enable your new financial | | | | responses) an absolute bonanza. Yet, I didn't, I lost out. |
| freedom to blossom. | | | | (yes, I was not that smart) |
| What happens next is the testing and learning phase. | | | | This brings us back to education, probably the most |
| You will need to try many things to find what works | | | | important part of the puzzle. You will be spending |
| for your campaigns. This is where we look at "fishing | | | | money to make it happen for you, don't get me wrong. |
| poles and holes" mentioned last time. Will you be | | | | More often than not the old saying, "you get what you |
| exploring a Google PPC campaign, SEO (search | | | | pay for" holds a lot of merit. |
| engine optimization), CPM/CPA networks, Email | | | | One important point to remember - one VERY, VERY, |
| broadcasting, purchased leads, self generated leads, or | | | | VERY, VERY, VERY, HUMONGOUSLY |
| ad distribution and site submission software? And, to | | | | IMPORTANT thing to remember is not to pay good |
| manage the business of your endevoure, you will also | | | | money for anything you will not LEARN from. |
| need to explore back office systems to execute your | | | | Free trials are fantastic, 30 day, 45 day, 60 day money |
| campaigns and manage your work. | | | | back guarantees are outstanding. Also many pay |
| All these methods and systems are valid and can lead | | | | systems will even back you up on products. These |
| to high profits if done right, but they all can be financially | | | | trials give you the ability to see if it (the product or |
| damaging if done wrong. | | | | service, whatever) works for your campaign. There is |
| You will need to know where your contacts | | | | no need to be left holding something you paid good |
| customers/leads are coming from. And know what it | | | | money for that doesn't work for YOU. |
| cost you to acquire them. Know your metrics. | | | | I personally swear by the products and services I am |
| Stop and take a close look at an unfortunate | | | | currently using including back office systems, |
| experience of mine for a minute. The first $9 | | | | autoresponders, lead capture page production, Google |
| commission I ever received just appeared in my | | | | AdWords training, and promotion and distribution. |