May 2009


Bookmakers Stuff& Sports Tips& Universe Of Gambling30 May 2009 09:57 pm

Internet based sports gambling internet sites are mostly regulated through three governing bodies. These are OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), the IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and finally the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association FTGA. best online betting sports

The Offshore Gaming Association is in fact an unbiased office which presently regulates the modern offshore sports gambling industry, they strive to offer gambling buffs a way to to swiftly distinguish reliable sites to play games of chance with. It aims to support the concerns of betters, and also they do not impose any association dues. The Offshore Gaming Association is a competent not to mention equitable third party agency who give impartial assessments, founded around customer feedback, objective analysis, telephone conversations, insider tips and also offers industry information.

The IGC is a nonprofit administration. The administration has been designed to provide a forum for concerned people to address matters and also to encourage progress in the area of common matters in the world-wide interactive betting profession, to establish unbiased not to mention duty bound industry precepts and patterns that heighten consumer trust in online betting merchandise and functions, and also to aid as the offshore betting trade’s universal strategy adviser and it also works as an information base of operations.

The IGC have built a distinction for dependability, candor and believability by virtue of the tough ideals it demands, also its appeal for commercial enterprises of exemplary ethics. The IGC influences offshore sports gambling via applying a special 10 point code of conduct moreover bills betting web sites fees for displaying the council’s logo. Unsatisfied gambling buffs can, should they require, disclose any of their disputes to the Interactive Gaming Council.

The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association has been set up in an effort to produce a standard to improve the criteria of internet sports gambling trading operations. The IGC proposerealize that by carrying on business with credible enterprises, they are able to found a federation of the most ethical and most proficient overseas betting businesses worldwide. To recapitulate, these are agencies which function to regulate the behavior of on-line sports gaming and which should work to take the sting out of a lot of the trepidation experienced by detractors. Online betting websites are totally secure, in that personal data should not be required and also the payouts and the odds are always equivalent to a typical Vegas-type stake. These web sites do away with travel time, but retain the ethos of a Vegas-style betting site, however today you are in a position to bet in the comfort of your own familiar surroundings.

Bookmakers Stuff& Lifestyle Tips& Universe Of Gambling30 May 2009 10:36 am

Millions of players every week prefer to use the same lotto numbers for their entries; invariably these are memorable dates of loved ones, which in some countries can only cover a part of any potential lottery selections.

Can you decrypt the code applying your own particular strategy or trust on an e-lottery syndicate to select them for you? We unrealistically like to believe that if we don’t do something or maybe do it the wrong way that something bad might happen, in this event; if we miss doing our numbers they are certain to come up!

Being the person to choose those winning lotto numbers is of course something each and every committed player wishes they could do and as humans, we all possess an acquired bias against anything random, we all like some form of control and rules that make sense to us.

So your number comes up more frequently; why should it come up again? It’s practically impossible to pluck any set of numbers that are more or less likely to win. Lotteries are a game of pure chance and every lottery number picked is merely at random. So the bottom line in that respect is - no number is more random than another.

If you take a look at the chances of probability, as one number is drawn the likelihood of your selected number going to be picked afterwards is slightly increased because the potential choice is less.

Applying the same lottery numbers will mean you will have to play 135,000 times to even get an evens chance of winning. Unfortunately, to win the lotto jackpot you just have more or less a 1 in 14 million prospect of being profitable; yet we all believe it could be us. Does that sound like a good chance; would you be better off signing up to a lotto syndicate?

If you choose the same lotto numbers each and every week, just remember they are nevertheless random lottery numbers and you stand just as much a chance of winning with those same lotto numbers as with a lucky dip option. Yet, if you use birthday numbers in a lotto draw your prospects of winning the lotto jackpot still stay the same but likewise your individual prospect of keeping the lotto jackpot to yourself is dramatically reduced because so many other individuals employ birthday numbers in their selections.

Book Base& Living With Language& Multimedia30 May 2009 02:16 am

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Walk Away The Pounds by Leslie Sansone might be a good read, but busy lifestyles make some time difficult to do. Lengthy commutes to work and mundane activities might consume large portions of your day everyday. Working, caring for kids or housework can all cut down the free-time you have for your interests. If you enjoy learning and are finding it challenging to fit it in, journeys to work may provide a chance to enjoy an audio book. With user friendly downloads, it’s easy to indulge in Living an Empowered Life by Denise Lynch by Download Audio Book Online, or audible books told beautifully by Kenneth A. Tucker without flipping a page. Today multitasking has become the norm. Audio books such as Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King by Download Audio Book Online take advantage of the wasted minutes everyday, whether it’s waiting time in a dentist’s surgery or possibly buying groceries. Audiobooks are available to download as media data files suited for personal computers, laptops and media players these include Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar, so make use of your mp3 player and headphones and take the opportunity to listen to a bestseller or a wonderful novel, such as audiobooks penned by H. Rider Haggard without carting a heavy book with you. Audio-books offer numerous benefits such as hiring or purchasing the title which interests you and enjoying it at your own pace. How about studying a different language? Why not try out audiobooks? Perhaps the latest commercial practices are your thing, you may even explore religious or spiritual trends. Audio-books are for sale in a whopping diversity of titles and literary genres. It really doesn’t matter if you enjoy history, or if you are mad about science fiction and fantasy even if your interests lie in personal development, many can be downloaded straightaway. Several plans are open; it’s easy to subscribe to a program and hire your choice of audio-book or buy what interests you.

Reading will always have its place, but the thousands of audio titles available are so handy. A narrator can deepen the experience of many stories. Reading a title is not the same as listening to audio books told by William Zinsser, including refinements presented during a rendidtion. Enjoying audiobooks performed by Malcolm Gladwell can give something extra to the story and frequently can mean much more to you than the written word. The next time whenever you consider buying the hard copy of a book you might not find time to read, think of audiobooks as another choice.

Biz Ops& Finance Resources& Online Investment29 May 2009 10:22 pm

SNK Capital Trust is always on the lookout for the best green investments. In an age of more and more scarce natural resources, growing global needs, and rising transparency demands, we see new ways for investors to win, by making better products and services, more productive workplaces, bigger connections to customers, and greater brand value.

The hope of green industry is large. There could be millions of jobs in recycling, solar, wind, water, and biofuels, as well as in energy conservation (homes and buildings) and greener transportation. Look, too, for safe, local organic food production as yet another answer to global health and quality of life challenges. SNK Capital believe that sustainable business means long-term profits, and that renewable energy will power the future.

Today, investors are seeking forward-thinking companies that understand the value of social progress and environmental sustainability. For many investors however, finding investment choices that are not only truly green but also potentially profitable can be difficult to find. SNK Capital Trust views this as its biggest opportunity.

Some companies, like SNK Capital Trustwill be leading the charge (whether for image or substance) even doing things aren’t immediately profitable in the short term; others will be happy to wait on the sidelines until they are forced to change, either through taxation or regulation. When the future inevitably becomes the here and now, companies who arrive late to the game not only risk higher than anticipated costs, they also risk falling behind their competitors in knowledge and shareholder image.

Book Base& Design, Layout& Universe Of Shopping26 May 2009 10:18 pm

It was common to have white bed sheets in everybodys bedroom quite some time back. You are surprised at the range of unique bedding that are on offer today. The latest are available in appealing prints and colors that change the look of your sleeping room

Here are a couple steps that you can follow to buy the perfect bedsheet for yourself.

Take the beds measurements

You might think that all twin beds or king size beds measure the same, but sadly it is not so. Usually the top measurements dont differ a lot but the other dimensions vary with each bed manufacturer. Due to this variant in the proportions, it is safe to measure all the dimensions and the depth of your mattress too. Often similar beds from the same brand are longer or wider than each other. Measuring your bed will give you an idea of the size of your bed sheet before buying.

Decide from where to buy

You will find a lot of top makes in bed linen available in a departmental shop near you. Those looking for embroidered bed sheets or lavish looking sheets can buy them from a specialty shop. The Internet is full with fresh new patterns every day. In case you wish to purchase regular you can get a good deal at a discount rate outlet.

Learn about the thread count of bed sheets

A thread count refers to the amount of threads contained in one square inch of the bedsheet in both directions of the weave. This count is mentioned on the label of the bed sheet itself. For a luxurious feel, a high thread count is desirable. Beware of a very high thread count as the sheet may have slimmer threads and not the texture you want. For the right soft feel, a thread count of 175 to 250 is fine.

Decide on material for your bedsheet

You need to choose such material for your bedding which fits in your budget and is comfortable at the same time. If you prefer wrinkle-free sheets then go for cotton blends or you can purchase basic cotton fabrics. Flannel is warm and can be used for wintertimes. For a lavish look, go for satin, silk or microfiber.

Caring directions

Ensure that you are aware of the cleaning instructions for the bed sheet beforehand. Silk bed sheets are stunning and romantic, but they need a weekly dry cleaning job. Do you have the time for all this? The best way is to buy comfortable sheets that can be machine washed.

Once all the above factors are taken care of, you are sure to purchase a nice and inexpensive bedsheet soon!

Traffic Stuff26 May 2009 02:55 pm

How would you like to make $4 for EVERY visitor who hits your site? How about $8? Would you be interested?

This kind of money sounds insane doesn’t it, especially when you consider that most websites are lucky if they can make a $1 out of a visitor. And the chances are that you would label me a liar and a scam artist for even making such an outrageous claim.

Well those figures come from my own marketing. You can see the proof by visiting http://www.megastep.com/art-postcards.htm

“How did I do it?” you ask.

The answer is very simple. I used good old fashioned direct mail, and more specifically I sent out postcards to lists of buyers, people who have previously bought a product similar to what I was offering. Direct mail golden rule #1… Never, ever rent names of enquirers. That’s suicide, because they are unqualified and generally tyre-kickers.

So as the cost of pay per click marketing goes up, and joint ventures become harder and harder to get, and the free traffic generating methods start dying, and all those gateway page generation software tools keep getting your site banned from the search engines. With banner impressions sending you trickle traffic, and more and more emails never arrive because of the spam filters, it’s time to look at direct mail.

And yes of course it’s going to cost you money to send a mail shot. But if you’ve tweaked and tested your website to convert the maximum amount of visitors, if you have setup up your automated backend sales process. Believe me, direct mail is one of the best ways of driving laser targeted visitors to your site, people who already have a proven track record of BUYING products similar to what you offer. Yes I’ve repeated myself, but I want you to “get” that little piece of advice.

So as your email open rates dwindle to dust, and you find it harder and harder to generate quality website traffic. Remember the lowly postcard, because it’s what the big guys are using to make obscene amounts of cash from their websites.

Copyright 2004 Rob Taylor

EzineArticles Expert Author Rob Taylor

About The Author

Rob Taylor has been marketing online since 1996. He’s sold anything from books, debit cards, security products to art prints. Take advantage of his battle tested marketing strategies that could quietly make you five figure cash profits every single month. Subscribe free to his Internet Marketing Strategies newsletter.

Traffic Stuff26 May 2009 02:19 pm

If you could get high quality traffic that would grow on a daily basis free of charge starting tomorrow would you do it?

If you answered yes…

I’m going to show you exactly how to do that right here free of charge.

Let me be completely honest with you, after reading this, I guarantee you will never again have to pay any money to get high quality traffic to your website. And no, what I am about to tell you has nothing to do with emailing safe lists, wasting your time with traffic exchange programs, or any other cheap tricks.

What I am about to explain to you in the most simple straightforward manner possible is by far the most powerful way to get the best long term high quality traffic on earth. I want you to be able to fully understand the elegance of the system that I am about to describe to you so let me first give you a little background.

When I first started to market affiliate programs online I went the pay per click route. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but magically it seemed to work. Now… I can’t say that I made much money through pay per click advertising, but I did get some traffic that actually bought through my affiliate links! The problem with this method was it ended up costing me just as much as I made.

Next I tried to generate traffic the free route by taking part in traffic exchanges and mailing to safe lists. I’m not going to even go into detail about these methods because it didn’t take me long to figure out that these methods just don’t work.

Next, I started advertising in eZines. This traffic method actually does work and can work very well, but on the flip side it can also cost quite a bit of money and does put that money at quite a bit of risk. What I mean by is there were times when I was mailing to eZines that cost quite a bit of money and I didn’t even make a single sale and then there were other times when I was advertising in eZines that I spent very little on and I made some pretty good coin. It’s extremely hit or miss most of the time with eZines plus the traffic you generate is only transient. If your traffic doesn’t buy on that first pass your out of luck. That’s why I say eZine advertising is a high risk web site traffic generation method.

Next, I decided I would try to start my own eZine. It sounded like a great idea, but it really is quite a bit of work can cost quite a bit of money in the early phase. Having your own list is a powerful sales tool and I do think that it is something that everyone who is serious about their internet marketing efforts should have, but I truly don’t think it is the best way to generate long term hands free traffic.

Why?

Because you have to email your list every time you want them to visit a site. It’s not hands free.

So, let me get to the point…

What’s the best way to generate long term high quality traffic for free?

Hint: I’m doing it write now.

That’s right - Writing Articles!

Writing good quality articles about subjects that people want to read about is by far the best high quality traffic generation tool available anywhere. The great thing is this is something that will NEVER change.

Why?

• People want high quality free information. After all, that’s primarily why people search the internet anyways.

• Websites need good quality content to for there sites and eZines.

By filling in that gap you’re fulfilling a need that is mutually beneficial to all parties involved. The reader gets great information to read. The website or eZine owner gets quality content. You get to stamp yourself as an authority in the field and you get to add a link in the resource box at the end of your article (free high quality traffic).

Gaining website traffic through writing article works through the principle of reciprocity. You first give something of value and then you get something of value in return. You give your quality content to other webmasters and then they give you traffic.

What makes this tool so powerful is its viral nature. Not only do you get free traffic through your resource box at the end of your article, but you also get to establish high quality one way links back to your website. The search engines LOVE this!

Let me say that a different way, when you post your articles to the larger directories you will get a free high PR one way (non-reciprocal) link back to your site. Further, you have an almost infinite number of chances for other webmasters looking for quality content to post your articles to there web site.

I didn’t know how powerful this method truly was until about 3 weeks after I began posting my articles to the larger directories. I started to see my website traffic grow and I couldn’t really place why. At that point, I had only placed my articles in three of the top directories, but when I did a Google search for some of the titles of my articles I found them on dozens of website.

“Wow” I thought.

I got dozens of free in pointing links within a period of only a few weeks and I really didn’t have to do anything to get them. It was only when I saw this with my own eyes that I finally realized how powerful article writing could be as a traffic generation tool.

Give it a try. It’s the best hands free traffic secret that I have ever learned. Write a few articles and then post them to a few directories. You’ll be surprised with your results. Best of all it’s all free!

One last tip!

After writing your articles you need a few great places to post them to, so here are my favorites; IdeaMarketers.com, GoArticles.com , and EzineArticles.com.

That should get you off to a pretty good start. Happy Writing!

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Finding Partners& Lifestyle Tips& The Relationships Way25 May 2009 05:03 am

Singles Online dating can definitely introduce you to some really wonderful nice people - and you can even enter some really great relationships. You might even meet your future wife or husband. You never know. All The Same, Online dating is still risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. This is one of the reasons why I put this great article together, that outlines some of the things you need to watch out for. Don’t get me wrong, singles free dating online can be really fun, but you just need to know the risks involved and how to avoid them.

1. Number one tip for being safe while online dating, starts with your online profile. You don’t want to reveal all your private information in your profile for the public to discover. You should only talk with the other members through the messaging system of the website. Once you feel more comfortable, you can choose to reveal your private information and perhaps even go out on a date. And if you do determine that the individual you are talking to is a weirdo - and it is almost unavoidable - your personal info is private since you are practicing the messaging system of the internet dating free site.

2. If and when you do settle to go out on a date, I would unquestionably not let them come to your house for dinner or any other reason. Probably a bad idea! and No, you should not even make them pick you up at home. You should decide on a public place to meet.

3. Another thought is to make the date a double date, maybe with a friend that also is into dating online. This is good for 2 reasons - there’s someone you know with you, and you can also get away with your friend if your date is boring!

4. You should never have the first date in a private area or secluded place. This could get you in a dangerous situation. You don’t truly know these people you meet online. A restaurant or some open place like a park is a much better idea. It’s constantly better to be safe than sorry!

5. Boozing on the first date is not a safe idea. If you ever had to - just have a few. And don’t have your date get your drink. Get it from the barman or server. And don’t leave your drink alone (like if you goto the bathroom).

6. You should make sure someone (friend, or maybe a roommate) knows where you’re going or at least when you should be expected back. This way, if something does happen, if an accident were to happen, or something worse, you’ll know that someone knows where you were.

By keeping to these simple rules, you know many points to keep yourself safe with singles online dating sites. Since you know that you will be safe - you can now have some fun when you go out on your date with your new online partner!

Uncategorized22 May 2009 09:16 am

Delivering email newsletters and sales messages to opt-in subscribers and customers is getting more exasperatingand more expensiveby the day. Delivery rates for email have gone through the virtual floor. According to MarketingSherpa, one out of every six people who asked to be on your mailing list won’t receive your email newsletter or marketing message because a spam filter blocks it by mistake.

Why you’re just not getting through to them
As you probably know, the challenge you are facing is primarily spam filters, electronic and human. And no wonder. Consider these sobering numbers:

  • 10 out of 12 messages reviewed are considered spam (Postini.com)
  • average users receive 42 unwanted sales pitches a day (Jupiter Research)
  • 70% of all email messages will be spam by 2007 (Radicati Group)

Your emails fail to reach your subscribers for three basic reasons. Either the email is blocked by the subscriber’s ISP or enterprise firewall (in which case it never gets delivered), the email is blocked by the subscriber’s spam filter (in which case it gets delivered but is never seen) or the email is deleted by an irritable subscriber with an overzealous delete-key-finger who does not recognize your “From:” address or mistakes your email subject line for something unwelcome.

But take heart. There are some tactics you can employ today to increase your email deliverability scores and reach your newsletter subscribers and customers with the email messages they have asked you to wing their way.

1. Hire someone to monitor your mail
Your most expensive option is to retain the services of a third-party vendor to monitor your email deliverability. For a fee, ReturnPath.net, PiperSoftware.com, Deliverability.com, DeliveryMonitor.com and other companies will seed your mailing list seeded with hundreds of email addresses from a variety of domains. When your email arrives, these firms record the time, count the number of emails that escaped the spam filters, and generate a report that shows deliverability scores for each ISP. These reports help you notice which ISPs are blocking your messages or only allowing a few to get through before blocking the rest. You can take the steps needed to improve deliverability.

2. Test your email messages for spam before sending
The above companies and a host of smaller software firms let you run your email message by a spam filter before sending. They search for “free,” “buy now” and other words that trigger spam filters. That way, you can see if your message is likely to be flagged as spam somewhere enroute, and tweak where needed to improve your score before hitting Send. Try the free service at www.ezinecheck.com.

3. Make sure your ISP is not on a blacklist
Spammers may have abused the servers of the autoresponder or listserver service that you use. As a result, the major ISPs may have blacklisted or blocked emails from these servers. To discover if you are blacklisted, find the IP address of the email server and do a spam database lookup at www. DNSstuff.com or www.OpenRBL.org.

4. Slow down your email send rate
Some ISPs set a threshold for how many emails you can send during one session. If you exceed this threshold, their software flags you as a spammer and blocks the remainder of your messages. One way around this wall is to send your messages in small bursts, say 200 at a time, with a pause of a few minutes between bursts. The other solution is to host your list on a reputable listserver. The more popular ones include Constant Contact, AWeber, Topica, and GotMarketing Campaigner.

5. Send your email when it’s most likely to get read
If you send your message to businesses on a Friday afternoon, chances are that your recipients won’t check their email until Monday morning. Your message will be buried way down the list with a ton of spam ahead of it (assuming the recipient’s inbox is sorted by date). The most recent messages will get the attention, and your message will likely get overlooked or deleted in the rush to start work. The open rate for email is strongest within the first two days of delivery. Then it drops off a cliff.

6. Mail on the best days
Online marketers have discovered over the years that B to B emails are read most often when they arrive on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, around noon. Mondays are too busy. And Fridays are too close to the golf course.

7. Use the right email service
Choose a reputable service provider who is respected by the major ISPs. They will work on your behalf to keep you off blacklists and deliver your messages on time.

8. Help subscribers change addresses
In every email message, tell your subscribers where they need to go to change their address or modify their subscription. You’ll reduce the number of bouncebacks you receive each mailing.

9. Use creative copy tactics to circumvent spam filters
Spam filters block your e-newsletters and marketing messages in a number of ways, and one of them is looking for words that are found in most spam. These include perfectly legitimate words and phrases, such as “free,” “opportunity,” “multi-level marketing [OK, that one is debatable],” “compare rates” and “free installation.” Most of these words you can get around by employing a thesaurus. Instead of saying “free,” say “complimentary,” or “no charge.” You can also disguise the word in some way (free becomes free~, or fr*ee), although you must tell your subscribers what you are doing beforehand.

10. Get your subscribers to whitelist you
When your subscribers opt-in to your list, immediately tell them to add your sending email address to their whitelist or “allowed senders” list so your messages are never blocked by the subscriber’s spam filters.

11. Use a distinctive, predictable subject line
Include a phrase in every subject line that shows at a glance who you are and what your message is about. Subscribers get used to recognizing each message from you. For example, one popular e-newsletter includes the phrase “DM News-iMarketing News Daily” in every email subject line.

12. Welcome new subscribers immediately
As soon as someone signs up for your e-newsletter or opts-in to your list, send them a welcome email. Immediately establish a connection between their opt-in action and your email that confirms their membership.

13. Make your email welcome message look like your sign-up form
Help new subscribers to recognize you in their inboxes by branding your online sign-up page and your welcome email with the same colors, images and typography.

14. Send from the same domain that signs them up
The domain in your welcome message and subsequent messages should match the URL of the webpage that subscribers used to opt-in to your list, otherwise they may not recognize you as the sender and delete your message by mistake.

15. Use the same From: address
Keep your From: address constant. This helps subscribers who have added your email address to their whitelist or “allowed senders” list.

EzineArticles Expert Author Alan Sharpe

Alan Sharpe is a business-to-business direct mail copywriter and lead generation specialist. He helps businesses generate leads, close sales and retain customers, using cost-effective, compelling direct mail and email marketing. Alan also uses his direct mail advertising services to help non-profits raise funds and raise awareness of their causes, using fundraising letters. Sign up for Sharpe & Direct: The B2B direct mail marketing e-newsletter. Every Monday morning, receive in your inbox a short, helpful article on direct mail lead generation. Sign up today and receive a free copy of his special report, “30 Reasons to Use Direct Mail to Increase Sales and Attract New Customers.” Read free articles, tips and other helpful advice on direct mail marketing at http://www.sharpecopy.com

Uncategorized22 May 2009 05:18 am

If Gutenberg were alive today he would be in publishing heaven! Forget the printing press, the web has fast-forwarded self-publishing in ways that are evolving so rapidly it’s becoming difficult to integrate technology and process to leverage the opportunities. Any company, regardless of their size and marketing resources should be publishing an opt-in e-mail newsletter - it’s a very low cost way to build community with customers, keep suppliers/partners/other informed and generate new business.

How do you get started? You must decide up front if you have the marketing expertise to develop your “newsletter creative” in-house and how you want to manage the distribution of your newsletters. Many companies turn to agencies/marketing services firms to help them develop the actual newsletter creative and also outsource part of the process to ASP (Application Service Providers), who handle all facets of the list distribution, signup and ongoing management.

Content format can be critical to the effectiveness of your newsletter - we typically don’t recommend HTML (text with images/graphics embedded) format unless our client’s product or service is very consumer-focused Plain old text is not as glamorous as HTML but it’s a lot more effective in most cases - people want information, not fancy eye candy that’s appealing to marketing geeks - keep your message, simple, to the point and with customer success stories or references when/where you can to drive credibility.

It’s relatively simple to use a Word processor with a mail merge program to integrate the addresses (depending on the volume) with your message and then send out via your ISP. But, doing it in house can be very time consuming - you have to deal with inbound requests for people who want to be added to your list, “unsubscribes” (people who want to be deleted) and integrate your web site into the process, so people can automatically sign up with a back end auto-responder (automatic message) that confirms their sign up.

Most companies utilize an Application Service Provider (”ASP”) to outsource the list hosting, signup and unsubscribe management processes and web site integration - typical costs are under $50. per month based upon your number of subscribers (on average up to 10-30K), frequency of your newsletter mailing (rule of thumb would be 2-4 times per month) and other specialized features, such as bounce back deletions (deleting any e-mails that have a “bad address”) and making the HTML code available with a graphic to sign up people directly from your web site. Be forewarned, most list hosting providers tell you up front they reserve the right to delete your account if they catch you spamming thousands of people whose e-mail addresses were not “opted in” (given to you with permission to market to them).

What do you want to look for in an ASP List Hosting Provider? You want great customer service, an online interface that enables you to easily manage the process, the ability to easily to cut and paste your text (newsletter copy), instant distribution of your newsletter and the ability to know at a glance how many subscribers you have on an ongoing basis and the number of new subscribers and unsubscribers.

There are lots of list hosting companies out there - I’d recommend including two on your short list. One of the oldest, most well established companies that has consistently won rave reviews for excellence in customer service is Sling Shot Media, LLC www.listhost.net - they’ve been hosting since 1998 (ancient in web time) and offer a wide range of consulting services related to all aspects of newsletter marketing. The other company to check out would be Microsoft’s bCentral Services www.bcentral.com which offers list hosting as one of its services. I can’t give them rave reviews for customer service, as they make you pay extra for anything more than e-mail support which can be a hassle at times. But, their list hosting interface is easy to use, works well most of the time and they are price competitive.

Finally, one of the biggest marketing challenges facing many small to medium sized companies is generating a newsletter subscriber list. I don’t have sufficient space in this column to address this challenge - but, it’s a classic go/no go situation; the longer you put it off the harder it becomes, so get started, the upside rewards are too significant to delay!

About The Author

Lee Traupel has 20 plus years of business development and marketing experience - he is the founder of Intelective Communications, Inc., http://www.intelective.com a results-driven marketing services company providing proprietary services to clients encompassing startups to public companies.
Lee@intelective.com

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