Reginald Chan

Category: Business

  • What is Affiliate Marketing, Where to start and How to make money from it?

    What is Affiliate Marketing, Where to start and How to make money from it?

    When I published an article at Bivori on how I make around $400 per month just on affiliate marketing, many readers were asking if I could provide even more details on the said industry. I got to admit, affiliate marketing is a very lucrative industry … if you have not known about it yet.

    You have been warned. This tutorial is lengthy and thus, I would highly recommend you to bookmark this for future reference.

    Affiliate marketing for beginners consist of:

    • Introduction to affiliate marketing
    • What should you know about affiliate marketing?
    • How do you get paid?
    • Top affiliate networks you should participate
    • Recommended affiliate marketing etiquette

    Affiliate marketing for beginners – The what question

    Affiliate marketing is a process where you get a small token of appreciation (usually in terms of cash) when you recommend others to purchase the product. Affiliate marketing is very popular among bloggers as the commission could varies from a mere 5% to as much as 70% (or more) per sale while some companies are offering fixed commissions. Either way, it is a very lucrative industry when it comes to the term make money online.

    Personally, I consider affiliate marketers as virtual salesmen for the company and it is always a win-win situation for both sides. The supplier would be able to increase their sales with minimum (or zero) cost while the sellers are able to earn commission based on the number of sales.

    Pretty good deal if you ask me.

    Even before making your first dollar from affiliate marketing

    The most crucial part about affiliate marketing is all about:

    • Selling the right products
    • Selling to the right audience

    You may have the best product but if you have the wrong audience, no one is going to buy it from you.

    1. So, how do you choose the right products to promote?

    It all starts by deciding what niche you want to invest in. Choosing the right product will determine your success (or failure) in affiliate marketing.

    For example, there is absolutely no reason why you should be promoting products related to child care on a technology niche blog.

    While choosing the right niche is important, choosing the right products is also important too. There could possibly be hundreds of related products you can promote on a single niche topic. Therefore, you need to decide which would be the best product you should be promoting.

    When it comes to affiliate sales, lesser choices are always better and this means that instead of promoting two products on one write up, try promote only one.

    The reason is simple; The more choices you provide to your visitors, you are increasing the difficulties for them to decide. Your ultimate goal is to make sure that you make it simple for your visitors to decide and not making things harder and more complicated!

    2. Getting it to the right audience

    Finding the right audience group is important. Why? Imagine promoting an apple to a person who is looking for pears. You get the point.

    I personally use three tools to help me decide what my audience is looking for on my blog.

    1. Google Webmaster Tool > Search queries
    2. Alexa > Top keywords from search engines
    3. Google Analytics > Queries

    With the data extracted from the above tools, you would be able to determine which keywords that are attracting readers to your site and once that is done, head over to your favorite affiliate networks and search for the right product to promote.

    How to get paid after an affiliate sales?

    This is probably the most important thing for a blogger; getting paid. It is mandatory to have both of these if you want to grow in affiliate marketing:

    • PayPal
    • Payoneer

    1. PayPal

    The leading merchant when it comes to sending or accepting money. It works for all countries and it is possibly one of the best in its class. Click here to sign up for PayPal.

    2. Payoneer

    An alternative method to get paid when PayPal isn’t an option. It provides free account to all and you will automatically get a debit card as well. This is highly recommended by affiliate networks like ShareASale.

    Sign up for Payoneer and get $25 debited into your account for free!

    Help! Which affiliate networks should I join or participate?

    Top affiliate programs
    Puzzled over which affiliate network to join?

    Affiliate networks are basically ‘warehouses’ containing hundreds if not thousands of products you can promote. Choosing the right program to join is important as it will determine your affiliate success.

    A few rules which varies among these networks would be:

    1. Duration needed for you to receive a payout
    2. Cashout methods

    To answer the above question, here are my top contributors when it comes to affiliate sales:

    • ShareASale
    • Commission Junction
    • DigiResults
    • ClickBank
    • Amazon

    The below are the complete explanation for the various affiliate networks you can join and as well as the recommended affiliate programs to join.

    1. ShareASale affiliate network

    Fees: Free

    Minimum cash out: $50

    Payment method: Cheque, direct deposit and Payoneer

    This company started up since 2000 and had ever been expanding until now. With more than 13 years experience in handling various affiliate programs, this is definitely one of the best affiliate network in the market right now. It is also home to some of the biggest names in business such as StudioPress, Thesis and WP Engine.

    Sign up for a free ShareASale membership here – Join today!

    Signing up for ShareASale is free and they would do a quality check on your site before approving your membership. Once that is done, you are free to apply for any of the 3,900+ affiliate programs they have. Lastly, grab the links and you are ready to grab some sales.

    Top affiliate programs to join:

    The minimum cashout for ShareASale is $50 and it is done automatically. You can choose to be paid either by cheque or bank transfer via Payoneer.

    Also, ShareASale has several pay-per-click affiliate programs which is good for several blogging niche.

    Commission Junction affiliate network

    Fees: Free

    Minimum cash out: $50

    Payment method: Cheque, direct deposit and Payoneer

    Commission Junction is owned by ValueClick and is also one of those top affiliate networks for bloggers. You can literally find many blogger tools in Commission Junction or CJ in short such as HootSuite and MaxCDN.

    Recommended affiliate programs to join:

    Cash out on Commission Junction is automatic and you can adjust your payment method by clicking the Account tab.

    Join Commission Junction today and make money through affiliate sales!

    DigiResults Internet Marketing Network

    Fees: Free

    Minimum cash out: Nil

    Payment method: PayPal

    DigiResults is another popular affiliate network and most of the items are related to Internet Marketing. Choices of items to promote are rather lesser at DigiResults when compared to ShareASale or Commission Junction due to its specific niche.

    Top affiliate programs to participate:

    Cashing out at DigiResults is done automatically and you will get your affiliate payment between 30 or 60 days as stated by the merchant. Payment are done directly to your PayPal account from the merchant instead of DigiResults. Try DigiResults today!

    Note: I only use the above 3 affiliate programs as I had personal experience in them and 50% commission is huge.

    ClickBank Affiliate Program

    Fees: Free

    Minimum cash out: Nil

    Payment method: PayPal

    This brand is already a household name when it comes to affiliate marketing. ClickBank is used by thousands of affiliate marketers daily and it is highly reputed. At the moment, they are over 10,000 digital vendors and 100,000 affiliates using ClickBank.

    Top affiliate program to join:

    ClickBank doesn’t only offer products you can promote but as well as tutorials and guides to make you a better affiliate marketer. Join ClickBank today!

    Amazon Affiliate Program

    Fees: Free

    Minimum cash out: $10

    Payment method: Varies

    Among all the affiliate networks, Amazon is probably one of those who serve the shortest cookie period of 24 hours. Commissions are paid according to percentage and the number of items you sell. This means that the more you sell, the higher your commission which starts at 6%.

    While these may seem bad, do not underestimate the power of Amazon. The brand itself is already well known to many and there is absolutely no reason why you should not use it.

    There is no recommended products for Amazon as it has a huge inventory and all you need is to choose. Try Amazon Affiliate Program now!

    4 Online marketing strategies that always work for me

    Affiliate marketing for beginners
    Just like in military, you need proper planning before you can succeed in affiliate marketing

    There are many online marketing strategies which you can follow but for me, I only stick to one; sales funnel. My sales funnel is a 4 steps where I build a base for my readers to keep on reading. The chance of then exiting is really high and thus, each sentence should be phrased correctly.

    Here are the 4 basic steps you need to create a sales funnel:

    Step 1 [zero sales pitch] – What is the problem faced by your readers?

    Step 2 [slight sales pitch] – Provide at least 3 solutions to the above problem with one solution is buying a product

    Step 3 [moderate sales pitch] – Share a blog post on using the product to solve the problem (step to step guide or tutorial)

    Step 4 [high sales pitch] – Review of the product you are promoting

    I am not going to lie to you as the above is some seriously tedious jobs. However, it is extremely rewarding.

    As you can see above, each step would have a different tone when it comes to sale pitch. Starting off with a high sales pitch could easily deter your readers. Therefore, the best way is to create the ambiance gradually. Furthermore, I don’t think there’s any one who is wiling to fork out money in less than 10 seconds.

    Recommended affiliate marketing etiquette – What you should know?

    While seeing your money grow just by selling affiliate products could be very tempting, it is always best to practice with etiquette. For example, you would need to decide:

    • Source of promoting affiliate products such as via email or blog post
    • Accepting paid reviews
    • Promoting products which personal experience or otherwise

    There isn’t any cold and hard guidelines when it comes to affiliate marketing but you have to remember that it relates back to your brand and trust. Etiquette is really a thin line and it can be easily broken.

    Lastly, the most important practice an affiliate marketer should have is the share the real and proper information of the said product. Just don’t promote just because of the commission. Instead, promote because you know that it will help your readers … one way or another.

    Over to you

    So, I hope you enjoy this blog post as much as I do when writing and tell me what you think using the comment form below.

  • 6 No Brainer Reasons Why AWeber Is The Best Email Marketing Service

    6 No Brainer Reasons Why AWeber Is The Best Email Marketing Service

    You probably have heard me saying this a few times now, “You need a mailing list even if you are a blogger” and I will repeat if I got to.

    A mailing list is extremely important especially when you are trying to build an audience and creating not only website traffic but a very sustainable one instead.

    A good mailing list is important for both novice and professional bloggers as it will help to:

    • Increase the number of return visitors
    • Keep loyal readers updated with important updates and information
    • As a medium to communicate with your loyal followers
    • And probably a dozen more

    We all know how hard it is to build a great mailing list and there is obviously no reasons why you need to make the process even harder. Setting up multiple signup forms and email autoresponders could indeed be a very tedious job. Therefore, choosing the right email marketing solution is a must!

    Still not convinced? Take a look at these slides on the importance of a mailing list.


    By now, you should have probably hear about AWeber from either your friends or on the net. Some call AWeber the best email marketing solutions and honestly, I really think so!

    In this blog post, I will be sharing with you some reasons why I rather use AWeber compared to any other email marketing solutions out there.

    Before that, let’s see what AWeber really is, shall we?

    *p/s There’s also a video at the bottom of this post to show you how AWeber really works.

    What are the features AWeber are offering?

    AWeber is an email marketing software and autoresponder tool that is easy to configure and use.

    What makes AWeber so popular is the fact that it is highly affordable and with the price tag of $16.17 per month, you might think that I am out of my mind.

    At least, I would definitely have something under my sleeves right?

    When you signup for AWeber (click here to signup for $1 for the first month as trial plus a 30 days money back guarantee), you are not only paying for their services but as well as the rich email marketing features.

    And, I believe ‘rich’ could be a very understatement of the day!

    Here are a complete list of what AWeber is offering to all its members:

    1. Ability to create custom professional email newsletters within minutes
    2. Multiple ready-made signup forms available to use instantly
    3. Segmenting subscribers to different categories for easier management
    4. Automatically deliver sequence messages to new subscribers according to date and time of your choice (autoresponder)
    5. Over 600 beautiful HTML email templates to create great looking emails
    6. Ability to perform split testing in anyway possible (title, names, colour, Call-To-Action etc)
    7. RSS to email ability – Automatically create emails from your newest blog posts
    8. Email analytics to track on number of clicks, opens and delete
    9. Easy to integrate to popular WordPress mailing list plugins such as OptinSkin and Hybrid Connect
    10. Extremely high email delivery rate thanks to the Anti-Spam policy
    11. 24/7 customer support through phone and email
    12. A wide variety of free training and guides for bloggers to build more subscribers
    13. Free access to live webinars for mailing list building strategies

    I got to admit this; When I first saw the features, I was like “Okay, this sounds like the right email marketing solution for me” but I wasn’t sure if I should get it.

    The price tag of $16.17 per month does sounds a little pricey for me (I bet you are thinking of that right now too!).

    So, what really makes me use AWeber?

    AWeber autoresponder is one of the best email marketing provider for bloggers

    1. The $1 deal for the first month trial and a 30-days money back guarantee is a no-brainer for me

    Yup, you hear me right. The $1 deal is too good for me to say no to. Go ask around and many bloggers will tell you that they are using AWeber for their email marketing.

    I am sure that if I wouldn’t like it, I could just hit the refund button. Furthermore, it’s just $1 right?

    If that $1 doesn’t convince you, here are a list of famous using Aweber email services:

    Now, tell me if you are convinced enough to try on AWeber right now 🙂

     

    2. AWeber email marketing tool comes with autoresponder ability

    If you have no idea what autoresponder means, I would be delighted to share with you.

    Autoresponder is a feature where you can set a sequence to send emails (within a specific time frame) for every ‘trigger value’.

    For example, you can set the autoresponder to send a welcome email to all new subscribers after one day of signing up for your newsletter.

    Isn’t this cool? Basically, you don’t have to type a new welcome email numerous times every time a person signs up. And, you don’t even have to copy and paste the scripts as well.

    Here’s a video of the autoresponder feature on AWeber:

    Try AWeber’s Autoresponders for $1
     

    3. Professional signup forms and templates

    Creating a professional mailing list form is easy with AWeber. All you need to do is:

    • Choose a template or design as the base of your email
    • Choose the colours, fonts and even words to make your signup form more ‘lively’
    • Select any redirection such as to a thank you page or back to the current page
    • Copy the codes and place them on your blog
    AWeber allows users to create beautiful HTML email templates to wow their future followers
    You can easily produce beautiful email templates with the help of AWeber

    4. Easy integration with nearly all WordPress mailing list plugins

    I don’t call myself a ‘techie’ and thus, I love to have things simple and straight forward. This is where I rather use AWeber as my email marketing provider since it is extremely easy to use.

    Upon completing a custom design, you can choose to either:

    • Install the codes personally
    • Send to your web designer to do it for you
    • Or asking AWeber to host the form for you

    For example, I am using Hybrid Connect and I could easily integrate AWeber codes with it and build my followers close to immediately.

    As for the record, I tried both FeedBurner and MailChimp email marketing solutions before using AWeber and to be very honest with you, I felt that AWeber is the best email marketing tool especially when it is so easy to integrate it.

    Well, at least for me!

    5. Detailed analysis for your newsletters and followers

    AWeber is an email marketing service that focuses in email analytics
    With the simple but detailed dashboard, AWeber users are able to easily analysis their email strategy to increase click and open rates.

    For those analytics lovers out there, this is probably the best feature AWeber can ever offer. On the dashboard, you are able to see simple yet complete report at one glance.

    This means that you are able to see the number of new subscribers, scheduled broadcasts and even broadcast history on email clicks and opens.

    Not only that, AWeber offers a very indepth information on the report tab which I will show you in a video shortly below.

    6. RSS to email

    Simple RSS to Email by AWeber Communications
     

    Honestly, I am not a fan of automated stuffs and recently, my buddy Gilbert asked me why I didn’t use this godly feature.

    I told him that I rather have something ‘not automated’ for my mailing list but that question really struck my mind.

    Since Neil Patel (I am a huge fan of his) is also using the RSS to email service provided by this lovely mailing list tool, I see no reasons why I shouldn’t right?

    Truthfully, I haven’t REALLY use this feature much but this is one feature that will save you a lot of time.

    Imagine that you want to keep your blog followers updated on your new post and creating a new newsletter could be very time consuming. With AWeber RSS to email feature, you are basically putting technology on good use!

    To think about it, having a tool to that automates email notifications to your readers at any time of your choice is indeed indispensable.

    Why should you REALLY use AWeber for your mailing list building?

    Now, I know how tired it is to read such a long blog post right? So, here’s another video which I had done personally explaining what AWeber is and how it can actually save you more money (plus improving your sign up rates).

    Basically, I will be showing you around:

    • What AWeber autoresponder is all about
    • How the dashboard looks like
    • How to create a broadcast on AWeber
    • How to setup simple but beautiful signup forms
    • AWeber analytics as well

     


    Back to you

    What do you think of this blog post? I hope you enjoyed reading this article and watching the video as much as I do. So, tell me. What is your favorite email marketing tool?

    It doesn’t really matter if you have one right now as you can easily signup for AWeber for only $1 with a full 30-days money back guarantee right now!

    Click here to get best AWeber discount

    All you need to do is to click right here: Try AWeber today for only $1 or 100% money back guarantee!

  • How Do Online Casinos Reach a Larger Audience?

    How Do Online Casinos Reach a Larger Audience?

    In recent years, online casinos have grown phenomenally and now form a considerable part of the overall gambling sector. Today, in 2024, there are estimated to be close to 5,000 online sites that are exclusively run online and offer a wide range of thrilling and fun games for their customers to play. However, with such a large number of online sites, it can become increasingly difficult for these casinos to reach a larger target audience and cultivate and retain their customer base. Thankfully, using the latest technology and features that improve the overall gameplay experience, such sites can successfully increase their visitor volumes. In this article, some of the key marketing tactics that online casinos use to reach a larger audience will be explored in detail.

    Attractive welcome bonuses

    Today’s gamers are fully aware of the sheer number of sites on offer to them and are fully prepared to switch sites if there are attractive bonuses for new players. Online casinos recognize this fact and take steps to ensure that their welcome bonuses are both attractive and competitive. For example, searching online using the term real money casino Australia will produce a list of sites in the search results. It is highly likely that the description for these sites (often in the first sentence or paragraph) will contain information on the welcome bonuses that are available for new players. These promotions commonly consist of many free spins on roulette wheels (where no money is needed to play, and gamers can keep any winnings if they are lucky enough to win). Roulette is a perfect game for new players as it relies purely on luck rather than strategy. Casino owners recognize this fact and commonly offer free spins to attract the highest volume of new or inexperienced players. In addition, many online casinos compete with other sites to offer deposit bonuses for new customers. In some cases, the casino may even match the value of your first deposit, doubling the amount of money you can play with. Such strategies are key to attracting new visitors, and the casino may attempt to retain their customers by offering various loyalty rewards for repeat visits to the site.

    Secure payment facilities

    In an age where cybercrime can affect any online business or individual with internet access, casinos are taking every possible step to make their sites safe. Early online casinos had basic forms of security, and many had none, making them a target for cybercriminals who aimed to intercept customer financial details and card information. Thankfully, modern, professionally run sites ensure sophisticated encryption systems are used to protect their customer’s financial information and ensure that transactions occur in a secure online environment. Typically, SSL encryption methods will be used on payment pages and when customer information is processed. This technology ensures that even if a hacker were able to intercept sensitive information, the data would be illegible and unable to be used to undertake further acts of fraud with the customer’s payment details. By using such secure systems, online casinos can appeal to a wider and increasingly cybersecurity-aware audience by providing assurances that any card information will not used by cybercriminals.

  • Email Campaign: How I Build My Email List From Scratch

    Email Campaign: How I Build My Email List From Scratch

    Email list is more than just a list. In fact, it is the black book for nearly every successful marketer, blogger and companies alike.

    Don’t worry if you have not started anything at all.

    This article will explain to you important things about starting an email campaign … opps, I mean building a successful mailing list.

    That’s why you’re here right? With so many email marketing guides out there, I want to make sure that the time spend on this article (expected to be 10 minutes or less), would provide you guidance which will prove useful not only today, but for the coming years.

    Do you know what is email campaign and the importance of it?

    There are several reasons why you should start building an email list right now. You may use the list to:

    • Grow your website traffic
    • Keep your readers informed on the latest posts and news
    • Increase the number of returned visitors
    • Boost your sales pitch and revenue earning (marketing)
    • Promote brand awareness
    • Get involved and get in touch with your loyal readers

    There’s probably tons of other advantages that you can gain just by having an email list but you get the point. It doesn’t matter what industry you are in … you need a list.

    Still not convinced? Let’s take a look below:

    1. Ana Hoffman – Traffic Generation Cafe

    Traffic Generation Cafe opt-in form
    Traffic Generation Cafe opt-in form

     

    2. CopyBlogger Media

    CopyBlogger Media's opt-in form
    CopyBlogger Media’s opt-in form

     

    3. Brian Gardner

    Brian Gardner's opt-in form
    Brian Gardner’s opt-in form

     

    4. WP Beginner

    WPBeginner's opt-in form
    WPBeginner’s opt-in form

     

    5. Adrienne Smith

    Adrienne Smith's opt-in form
    Adrienne Smith’s opt-in form

     

    6. Bren – My Girly Parts

    Bren's opt-in form
    Bren’s opt-in form

     

    7. Annetta Powell

    Annetta Powell's opt-in form
    Annetta Powell’s opt-in form

     

    8. Adam Connell – Blogging Wizard

    Adam's opt-in form
    Adam’s opt-in form

    You see, it doesn’t matter what’s your intention is … either to boost traffic or doing affiliate marketing. You need a god damn email list! 🙂

    Three Easy Ways To Build An Email List … My Way

    I know there are probably many ways to do this but these are the three, very easy methods to grow your email list. Yes … you can start building your mailing list with just $1.

    When I started this website, I was like you … you know, wanting to grow my traffic and get my visitors back for more. The only way is to build more loyal readers who trust and have faith in me.

    Creating an email list from scratch is hard and no easy task. Hopefully by the time you finish implementing these three methods, you’ll be able to gain good and stable moment of subscription rate.

    Hold on a second now. Do you know how an opt-in form works? Not? No frust! The below an example of my opt-in form. Just enter your email and try it out! Yes it is absolutely free and if you dislike it, just hit the unsubscribe!

    Method #1: Choose your email marketing provider

    I’m not talking about Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook guys. I’m talking of auto responders, scheduling email blasts and managing your subscribers list. Most importantly, a program or service which could help me build my successful email campaigns.

    There are probably tons of email marketing providers out there to choose from; from freemium to more than just affordable subscriptions.

    Basically, these features are a must in any email marketing provider:

    • Ability to create signup or opt-in forms
    • Easy to embedded in any form (HTML, codes etc)
    • Manageable subscriber lists
    • Auto responders
    • RSS subscriptions
    • Spam control

    If you have yet to start creating any email list, then I would highly recommend you to start now using Aweber. Here’s why:


    Try AWeber’s Autoresponders for $1

     

    Method 2: Split testing your subscription forms (must … must have feature!)

    This is important guys. Most of us are attracted to colours and the same concept goes to subscription forms. If placing just one form on the same spot will not increase your signup rate, then you should be doing more split testing.

    So what is split testing actually?

    Split testing is also know as A/B testing. Let’s say you in a course of one month, you created one signup form to be placed on your sidebar. And, you aren’t getting any signup at all! So, what’s wrong?

    Could it be the colour, text or even the size? Fact is, we would probably not know the real reason behind this.

    BUT …

    It doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything about it! You can perform tests and more experiment to determine which signup forms offer the best click through rate (CTR) and which isn’t.

    If you have the thought that those are crazy, time consuming and it takes a lot of patience to do it, yes you are definitely right. Duh! Imagine how much time you got to spend on this split testing.

    There is where Hybrid Connect comes in. Hybrid what?

    Hybrid Connect is an advance mailing list building plugin for WordPress created by the famous Shane Melaugh. Well, it doesn’t matter if you don’t know how he is. What you need to know is the plugin is more than just plain awesome.

    Basically, Hybrid Connect is about customization, improve your call to action ‘projects’ and ensuring that you are maximizing every possible chance to build email list. What?

    Hybrid Connect is not like any other WordPress plugin when it comes to building email list. It does more than just that!

    Here’s what it looks like on my admin panel:

    Hybrid Connect is an advance email mailing list plugin for WordPress
    Hybrid Connect allows me to build specific opt-in forms for different pages and post.

    And this is what Hybrid Connect can do for you.

    You can choose from:

    • Shortcode – Place any opt-in form anywhere in your content
    • Widget – Add any opt-in form to the sidebar or any other widget area
    • Light boxes – Create pop up opt-in form features
    • Slide in boxes – Allow forms to slide in from the bottom, side or top of the page or post
    • Squeeze pages – Create high-converting squeeze pages for sales boost
    • Comment list building – Option to opt-in with one click, when they leave a comment

    If you want to know what Hybrid Connect is all about, this site explains it all.

    I’m not saying that Hybrid Connect is the best out there. But for me, it works absolutely well and I see no reason why it won’t work for you … plus I love their support team who is always willing to help out.

    Lesson learned? Always test and try out different forms to improve your sign up rates. Heard about “don’t put all your eggs in one basket?”

    Method #3: Maximizing your click through rate (CTR) of your opt-in forms

    You may use Hybrid Connect and a dozen more email list building software but you won’t be going anywhere if you are not getting any clicks.

    To get your readers signing up for either a product sale or a simple newsletter, you got to make your opt-in form visible. Yes, make your call-to-action as attractive as possible. Here are some spots which works perfectly well to increase your CTR:

    • Featured area (before content)
    • Sidebar area (top or bottom most)
    • After content area (some call it after post)
    • Footer area
    • Floating or pop up opt-in form

    Personally, if you want to increase your sign up rate, you should place your opt-in form on the top most of the article … place it right before the title area. I call it, featured widget.

    Placing featured call to action widget could easily grow email list
    This is one of my featured opt-in call to action.

    Why?

    When I first started my website, I had only a few signups per week. If you ask me, that isn’t making the cut. Not even close! After placing a featured opt-in form for just one week, my CTR increase by 15% on average. Yes, imagine for every 100 visitors I get, I would get about 15 signups. Since I’m using Aweber, I know they are absolutely legit and that’s great!

    Now this is my sign up graph or stats.

    Stats
    My sign up stats increased drastically right after I place an opt-in form on my featured area

    As you can see above, I wasn’t getting any healthy sign up rate. I would get probably 2 a day at most and sometime zero. With a call to action widget placed on the most visible part of the website, everything changes. I would let the stats above speak for itself.

    From featured area to sidebar. Yes! You need to place at least one sidebar opt-in form on your sidebar if you want to grow your email list. When it comes to opt-in on side bar, you got to make it precise and short because you have very limited space to work with. So keep that in mind!

    Basically, after post and footer opt-in forms are pretty normal and I wouldn’t into detail on that. However, I want to shift your attention now to the importance of having a pop up opt-in form.

    Fact: You can increase your email list with pop up opt-in forms but …

    Now, tell me this. Does the above question makes you wonder?

    I hate pop up and I bet most of you do. So, making pop up opt-in form is tough especially when you do not want to drive your readers away.

    A few things to consider are:

    • How often does the pop up will appear?
    • What type of pop up opt-in form to use? Complex or simple?
    • Does your readers get to view the pop up every time they head to a new page?

    As I said above, pop up is very annoying and therefore, handle with care. My pop up will show be visible after my reader is on that page for a specific time and I love going simple but eye catching opt-in forms. And to add a little bit of twist, I set cookie where the same reader will only see the pop up once every 7 days.

    Again, what works for me might not work for you. So, do some testing first before anything else.

    If you are still having doubts whether you should start an email list or not, you definitely need to spend 5 minutes watching these slides.

    Back to you

    I was lucky to speak to some bloggers last week and I realized some of them have yet to start building email list for their blogs and websites. I started pretty late but I’m sure, it is never too late for anything.

    Do you see the advantages when it comes to building a strong relationship with your readers?

    All in all, email list is very important especially when you are thinking of increasing your traffic and getting your loyal readers coming back for more. Not to forget, having an email list is also a great way to communicate with your followers.

    You need to do this right now:

    1. If you like this article, subscribe to my free and once-a-week newsletter (below)
    2. Tell me what you think on building an email list
    3. Do you have any past experience to share with the rest?

    And you can do all these using the forms below and hit the red button to share it.

  • Navigating the New Chapter Together: Essential Marriage Tips for Newlyweds

    Navigating the New Chapter Together: Essential Marriage Tips for Newlyweds

    Embarking on the journey of marriage comes with a deluge of emotions and experiences. It’s a pivotal chapter in life’s vast novel that can oscillate between delightfully thrilling and unexpectedly challenging. To ensure that the ecstasy of the “I dos” doesn’t dwindle into an anthology of “I don’ts,” Terry Eagan, a seasoned marriage counselor, shares his pearls of wisdom for newlyweds (especially on ways to become a better husband).

    The Foundation of Communication

    Communication is not merely a bridge; it’s the lifeblood of a thriving marriage. It is essential to discuss everything from the trifling to the momentous. It’s about creating a haven where you can divulge how the day unfolded or deliberate about financial blueprints. This relentless exchange is a fortifying elixir for your bond.

    Sparking Joy with Date Nights

    Routine is the stealthy thief of passion. To stall its encroaching tedium, interject vibrancy into your lives with date nights and impromptu romantic escapades. Stepping out of the work-to-home carousel nurtures your relationship, ensuring that contentment in marriage doesn’t become a fleeting emotion.

    Fiscal Harmony: Saving and Investing as a Duo

    Money woes can tarnish the sheen of marital bliss. Debt can become a contentious wedge, so it’s imperative to navigate finances judiciously. Together, draw a map that leads to fiscal security, with savings acting as the checkpoints ensuring a future free from the shackles of pecuniary distress.

    Dressing Up to Keep the Flame Alive

    Appearances aren’t everything, but sprinkling a dash of sophistication into your daily attire for no other reason than to delight your spouse can keep the flame of attraction fervently burning. It’s the nonverbal sonnet that whispers, “You are worth the effort.”

    After the Celebration: Facing the Post-Wedding Blues

    With the wedding fanfare concluded, a melancholic cloud may loom—the after-wedding blues. It is a customary transition phase where the thrill of the festivities gives way to the rhythm of everyday life. Remember, this period is but a transitory chapter in the saga you’re crafting together.

    Cultivating Individuality in Unity

    While marriage is a unity, individuality shouldn’t be its sacrifice. Maintaining a vibrant web of friendship and familial connections breathes life into your own selves and, by extension, into the core of your marriage.

    The Pulsating Heart of Marriage: A Healthy Sex Life

    A gratifying sexual relationship is key to marital satisfaction. If physical issues arise, it’s prudent to seek medical counsel, ensuring that both partners are fulfilled and content in their physical union.

    The Art of Compromise and Exploration

    Marriage is a dance of compromise and open-mindedness—an intertwining of differing views meeting in a harmonious cocoon. Exploring life together sews exciting layers into the fabric of your relationship.

    Scheduled Intimacy: Allocating Time to Connect

    Within the whirlwind of daily life, set aside sacred moments for each other. Be it a shared hobby or a daily coffee rendezvous, these shared slices of time are what nurture and sustain the soul of your partnership.

    Mutual Respect: The Crux of Decision Making

    Respect is the cornerstone upon which mutual decisions are built. Treat your partner with the reverence you seek, ensuring that every decision is a duet of minds and not a solo act.

    Embracing Adventures New and Old

    Even under the marital banner, the zest for adventure should never wane. Whether it’s reliving that initial date or launching into an unscripted escapade, it’s the collection of memories that paints the canvas of your shared existence.

    Setting Expectations: Blueprint of Reality

    Dispelling the myth of a flawless marriage by setting realistic expectations is akin to charting a safer course through the matrimonial seas. Voice your boundaries and express when you’re hurt, creating a transparent and authentic union.

    Friendship at the Heart of Marriage

    Ultimately, your spouse is your confidante, your partner in crime, your best friend. Cherish this camaraderie, as it’s the invisible thread that ties together the tapestry of your marriage.

    Candid and Open Communication: Bedrock of Trust

    It’s integral to foster an environment where open dialogue thrives. Conflict will ensue; it’s inevitable. But the currency of a lasting marriage is found in how you respond—by listening empathically and engaging in constructive conversations.

    Choosing Compassion Over Resentment

    When faced with trials, adopt a lens of compassion. Strive to perceive the world through your partner’s eyes. If understanding eludes you, don’t hesitate to enlist the aid of a therapist or channel your thoughts onto paper.

    Picking Your Battles Wisely

    Confrontation must be approached with discretion. Trivial matters are often best released like sand through the fingers, while more substantive issues warrant a conversation. Discernment here is key.

    Celebrate Your Unique Union

    The pitfall of comparing your marriage to another’s is a perilous game. Embrace the quirks and singularities that make your bond unique and focus on nurturing those instead of keeping up with marital mirages.

    Concluding with a Call to Harmony

    In the symphony of marriage, the key takeaway is harmony—harmony in communication, finances, experiences, understanding, and growth. Embrace these tips not as singular notes but as a melody that intertwines its way through your life together.

    To the newlyweds stepping onto this vibrant path, may you find joy in the journey and strength in the love that has brought you together. Cherish these insights from expert Terry Eagan and enshrine them in your hearts as you navigate this beautiful odyssey called marriage.

  • Explore Love’s Depths: Top 6 Couples Intimacy Retreats Worldwide

    Explore Love’s Depths: Top 6 Couples Intimacy Retreats Worldwide

    In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, intimacy often takes a backseat, leaving many couples yearning for a deeper connection. If you and your partner are looking to reignite the spark in your relationship, a couples intimacy retreat might be the oasis you seek. Journey with us as we explore some of the world’s most enriching escapes designed to enhance the bond between you and your beloved. Through this curated list of the best six sexual retreats, prepare to discover tranquility, passion, and an opportunity for profound emotional rejuvenation.

    Rekindle Romance at Bali’s Lovers’ Sanctuary

    The Enchantment of Bali: A Haven of Intimacy

    Stepping into the lush landscapes of Bali, you might find yourselves breathing in unison with the island’s serene ambiance. Bali is home to several retreat centers specializing in fostering intimacy among couples. The programs often include tantric yoga sessions, couple’s massages, and workshops focusing on emotional connectivity, led by expert relationship coaches. Imagine indulging in a private infinity pool overlooking the ocean, moments ripe for quiet confessions and reconnection.

    Find Harmony in the Swiss Alps: Luxurious Seclusion Awaits

    Elevate Your Intimacy Amidst the Clouds

    There’s something undeniably romantic about secluded luxury cabins tucked away into the Swiss Alps’ snowy peaks. Couples can delight in customized intimacy workshops tailored to their unique relationship dynamics. The crisp mountain air and stunning alpine views provide a picturesque backdrop for intimate discussions, while the private spa services add an element of indulgence. Evenings can be spent by a roaring fireplace, wrapped in each other’s embrace, allowing the rest of the world to melt away.

    Embrace Each Other in Caribbean Paradise: St. Lucia’s Isle of Love

    The Caribbean’s Intimate Oasis

    St. Lucia’s natural beauty offers a Caribbean retreat like no other, with resorts hosting specialized retreats for couples looking to enhance their intimacy. Engage in guided sessions on communication and vulnerability, while surrounded by turquoise waters and evergreen mountains. Consider a candlelit dinner on the beach or a sunset sail, moments perfectly crafted to foster deep emotional bonds and reawaken sensuality.

    Reconnect in Sedona: Vortexes of Emotional Intimacy

    Spiritual Intimacy in the American Southwest

    Sedona, Arizona, is often hailed as a spiritual epicenter, with its famed energy vortexes said to promote healing and personal growth. Couples can dive into bespoke retreats offering meditation, breathwork, and couple’s energetic healing sessions to stimulate emotional closeness. The awe-inspiring red rock formations serve as an ancient gallery, inspiring lovers to carve out new memories in their shared journey.

    Awaken Desires in the Heart of Tuscany: Italy’s Romantic Core

    A Fusion of Culture, Cuisine, and Connection

    Italy’s rolling hills and lush vineyards have long been synonymous with romance. In Tuscany, couples can immerse themselves in intimacy retreats that blend cultural excursions with relationship enrichment activities. Discover each other anew amid Renaissance art and architecture, and let the rich Italian cuisine warm your hearts as local therapists guide you through deep emotional bridging techniques.

    Cultivate Passion in the Mayan Riviera: Mexico’s Coastal Gem

    Ancient Rituals for Modern Love

    The Mayan Riviera’s coastal allure provides a sultry backdrop for couples seeking to amplify their connection. From oceanfront couple’s yoga to workshops steeped in ancient Mayan rituals that celebrate love and partnership, there’s much to explore. Luxuriate in spa treatments that incorporate traditional herbs and oils to awaken the senses, supporting a deeper dive into each other’s desires.

    As you consider embarking on a couples intimacy retreat, remember these are more than vacations; they are passages to a deeper understanding and connection with your partner. Beyond scenic beauty and luxurious accommodations, these retreats offer a sacred space to grow together, learn new methods of communication, and explore facets of your relationship that day-to-day life may not permit.

    A Loving Conclusion: Embracing the Journey Together

    In wrapping up our exploration of the top 6 couples intimacy retreats around the globe, it’s evident that each destination offers its unique charm, waiting to play a part in your love story. Whether you seek serenity in Bali or adventure in Sedona, the promise of renewed intimacy and strengthened bonds is a profound takeaway. These retreats serve as a reminder that love is a voyage, with its ebbs and flows, and nurturing it is perhaps the most rewarding journey of all.

    As you plan your next steps, consider these retreats not as fleeting escapes but as investments in the foundation of your partnership. With each new experience, understand that the cultivation of love and intimacy is an ongoing art — one that flourishes with conscious effort and an open heart. So take that step, delve into the depths of intimacy at one of these rejuvenating retreats, and remember — the greatest adventure lies within the realm of the heart.

    Ready to take the leap? Let these havens of love transform your relationship and guide you into a future where intimacy thrives not just in quiet retreats, but in the everyday dance of your lives together.