php code

Using Opt-Ins to Increase List Subscriptions

by Mark E. Mason on November 18, 2008

I have written a lot recently about the importance of mailing lists. Last Friday, in fact, I explained about how I had been working on a lightbox solution for optins using the You Can't Block This script. The only problem is that I have been worried about bugging my normal readers and tarnishing my brand.

Sure enough, I got this thoughtful comment from a loyal reader (Alex The Big Blogger):

I’m not a fan of Popups, I consider them a little bit spammy, although I’ve tested them out on my own blog and I too have seen good results. I’ve made them with Aweber and set a delay to the apparence. On this way the visitor fisrt starts reading the post and then he gets the popup. Getting a popup as the first thing when i come to a site sets me up and makes me walk away.

That is exactly what I am worried about -- but I like the idea of a delay.

Read the Full Article →

{ 2 comments : }

Jack of All Trades, Master of None

by Mark E. Mason on March 21, 2008

One of the biggest challenges for me personally working on Internet Marketing part time is focus. As a part time Internet Marketer, I have a very limited amount of time to spend on tasks related to my new hobby. In fact, I try not to spend more than a couple of hours a day on Internet Marketing related activities. When I started out, my goal was to demonstrate that I could make some money on the Internet -- inspired by a segment I saw on the Today Show.

Since that time, I have started several blogs, a link directory, a couple of niche sites, some forums, switched blogging platforms, switched hosting companies, done some business/administrative tasks, read books, listened to podcasts, read and commented on blogs, studied marketing, joined countless affiliate programs, hired writers, won contests, built a mailing list, made friends, hired programmers, purchased software, written php code, changed blog themes many times, chatted on GTalk, and hung out on forums. The one thing that I have not done much of is make money. Go figure.

Speaking of distractions, I am writing this post on a plane bound for Hong Kong using ecto, which I mentioned earlier this week. I think this software is a keeper -- but I have not quite made up my mind. (Too bad they don't have an affiliate program). It does have some limitations that are annoying, however, For example, you cannot add a category or contol the post slug.  My friend Garry Conn likes Blogdesk.  I need to check that out.

Back to my story.  Don't get me wrong. I am having a blast, and I have learned a ton. The problems are that I haven't really finished anything - and the learning is not well documented. As it happens, my wife will tell you that this "unfinished project thing" also happens around the house. Great at starting projects; less great at finishing them. So, I thought it would be interesting to list all the current projects that I have underway or in my mind and see if I could prioritize them. Once again taking a page out of Caroline Middlebrook's book, I going to create a Projects page to document all of this so I can keep it straight in my own mind.

Read the Full Article →

{ 1 comment }

Niche Super-Site: Adding a PopShop

by Mark E. Mason February 14, 2008

So far on our journey to build the Niche Super-Site we have discussed: Definition of the Niche Super-Site case study List of Niche Super-Site design goals How to select your niche Choosing your keywords Choosing a domain name Setting up your niche site Making things look nice Installing Plugins Getting listed in Google Making Money [...]

4 comments
Check out the full article →

Niche Site Case Study

by Mark E. Mason February 4, 2008

It’s been almost two months since I initially got the bug to “make money on the internet.” At that time, I stated my goal was to work at this part time, and that I was not interested in “black hat” money-making schemes. Just before Christmas, I published my initial plan of learning what I was [...]

23 comments
Check out the full article →

Adding FeedFlare to b2evolution with Multiple Blogs

by Mark E. Mason January 3, 2008

b2evolution is a great blog tool that includes all the features of traditional blog tools, and add cool stuff like file & photo management, advanced skinning, multiple blogs support, detailed user permissions and third party plug-ins! FeedFlare is a way to give subscribers to you b2evolution blog easy ways to email, tag, share, and act [...]

4 comments
Check out the full article →