See Monkey Do

What is an ecourse?

Ecourse is a series of emails sent to the subscribers at a specified
interval. This can be achieved by a follow up autoresponder software
that can be loaded with email messages and it sends the messages at
specified intervals.

Tips in creating an ecourse:

1. Make your ecourse short like 5 - 10 messages. Too many messages makes
the subscriber lose his focus. If possible keep links to previous email
messages.

2. Divide the topic in to 5 - 10 subtopics. Example if you are sending a
search engine optimization course, then you can divide your topic like:

= Day 1: Search engine friendly urls
= Day 2: Linking from and within your website
= Day 3: Keywords and Metatags
= Day 4: How and where to put content
= And so on….

3. Make a template for the ecourse. So you can just keep content to save
it as day1, day2 etc. Put subscriber info on top like his email, ip, date
he subscribed etc. This way you will be saved from accusations of spam.

4. ALWAYS give some good advice or useful content or tips through your
ecourse. This develops your credibility. People think that you know your
stuff.

5. Keep your resourcebox at the end of each message. Provide a discount for
people who read your ecourse. Put some encouraging words like “Want to get
hold of ‘this really works’ and ‘proven’ secrets of search engine
optimization?” … “20 times of this ecourse for a meager $39.95?” in
your resourcebox.

6. Load them in to your follow up autoresponder at 1 or 2 day interval.
Don’t put too much gap between the messages. Subscribe yourself or if
your autoresponder software has an ability to send the all messages to
you atonce and check all the links, format and layout looks OK.

7. Last but not least is, select the topic for the ecoure that is RELATED
to your product or service. If you are selling your search engine
optimization service, write an ecourse about ‘Tips on listed in internet
directories like dmoz.’ or ‘Secrets of Google search results.’ etc. So this
gives you chance to put your product link in the resourcebox.

Radhika Venkata (c)

Subscribe to ‘iNet Marketing Ezine’ which is completely focused on Internet Marketing. Receive FREE Ebooks with Resale rights! http://www.webmasters-central.com/subscribe.shtml

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There are a great deal of people today that are in need of
a new mailbox. If you are considering purchasing a mailbox,
you may want to consider that of metal mailboxes. If you
would like more information, please read on for a guide to
metal mailboxes.

Metal mailboxes can either come as a curbside mailbox or as
a wall mounted mailbox. The wall mounted versions either
sit vertically or horizontally. These are to be placed
right on the wall by your front door. The curbside versions
are the more common mailboxes you see at people’s homes.
They do not rot like wooden mailboxes; however they are
prone to rusting. The price ranges can vary from $69 to
$185. This price does not include the post or stand.

Metal mailboxes are usually black or white in color. But
they do come in tan, green, blue, or other colors. You can
even have a designer that is painted the way you want such
as: hummingbirds, lighthouses, cats, etc. Most come with
the standard red flag, but you can get a gold or black
flag. However, this is not recommended because red flags
are more noticeable than the other colors.

Metal mailboxes are the most common type of mailbox for
most people to own. Utilize the above information to help
you decide if this is the right type of mailbox for you.
There are so many different styles to choose from.
Hopefully, this will help you make your choice!

You can now browse our large selection of Mailboxes online. To view our complete and comprehensive selection of Mailboxes, visit our Mailboxes site.

It seems to be a phenomenon. You try Google AdWords Select, your ad gets “disapproved” by the powers that be at Google, you count your losses and give up. It doesn’t have to be that way. There are two primary factors to succeeding at Google AdWords. The first is getting the right keywords. The second is writing little tiny ads. Neither is all that easy, but they can both be done.

Mark Twain said it best. “If I would have had more time, I would have written you a shorter letter.” The point… it takes much more skill, and much more time to write short copy than long copy.

Let’s go through the process together and I’ll show you a few tricks of the trade that have brought me AdWords click through rates of 7.1%, 8.0%… even 25%.

Step One - You would be very wise to either use a benefit or an end result in your headline. In order to do this, you’ll have to be aware of the difference between features and benefits. Start by making a list. I’ll use the example of an online shoe store.

Here are a few features:

• huge inventory

• wide selection of sizes

• discounted prices

• free shipping

And here are the benefits associated with those features:

• hundreds of styles to choose from

• hard-to-find sizes in stock

• save money

• free shipping (costs nothing extra)

Step Two - Know what your customers are looking for. YOU may feel that one benefit outweighs another. However, your customer might feel differently. Be sure you understand what is important to your customer before writing your headline and your ad. You have no room to waste so it is vital that you find a so-called nail and hit it right on the head.

Step Three - Work in your keywords. There tends to be a greater click through rate on search results that use the exact keyphrase the surfer types in. The same holds true for Google’s AdWords program.

While the following have by no means been researched, we’ll assume that some optimum keywords for our shoe store are: women’s shoes and sandals. We’ll want to include these in our ads.

Step Four - Start big and narrow it down. Begin by writing a few sentences or a paragraph about what you’d like your customer to know. Perhaps:

You’ll find everything you’re looking for in one place! Hundreds of styles to choose from including hard-to-find sizes in stock. You’ll save lots of money because our regular prices are far below that of other stores. Plus shipping is always free - regardless of the amount of your purchase. Check out our excellent selection of women’s shoes and sandals.

Now, go back and take out every word that does not absolutely need to be there. You probably came up with something like this:

Everything in one place! Hundreds of styles, hard-to-find sizes. Prices far below other stores. Shipping free. Women’s shoes and sandals.

That’s a LOT smaller and still gets the point across. However, it is still too long for AdWords. Your headline must be less than 25 characters (including spaces). Your copy can only be 35 characters per line. (You get two lines.) Now is the time to begin rearranging words to create an ad that will match Google’s guidelines, include your keywords, and draw a crowd to your site.

Here are a couple I came up with:

100s of Styles-Low Prices

Big savings on women’s shoes. Plus

free shipping! All sizes in stock.

Discount Women’s Sandals

Latest styles at deep discounts.

All sizes in stock. Free Shipping!

Step Five - Test, test, test! Put them up and give them a go. See what happens. Believe me, Google will notify you quickly if your ads aren’t performing. Those that get lower than a .05% click through rate are immediately “disapproved.” You are notified that your ad has been pulled and that you need to make changes.

Use the information in the AdWords campaign section to track the results. I’ve heard countless tales of those who have changed one little word and gone from a .07% CTR to a 5.0% CTR. If your ad is pulled, make simple changes to start with. Swapping out the word “savings” for “discount” or “big” for “huge” can be all it takes to catapult you to the top of the list.

When you write extremely short copy, remember to stay focused. There is not enough room to sell the customer within your copy, but there IS enough room to pique their interests. Use the limited space you have to punch up the biggest benefits or end results your customers are looking for and you’ll see bigger returns on your AdWords investment.

About The Author

Most buying decisions are emotional. Your ad copy should be, too! Karon is Owner and President of Marketing Words, Inc. which offers targeted copywriting, SEO copywriting & ezine article services. Visit her site at http://www.marketingwords.com today, or learn to write your own powerful copy at http://www.copywritingcourse.com

Cats are so special! They’re affectionate, playful, contemplative and squirmy, and they make wonderful foot warmers. They also have a huge following, which may include someone you know. Seniors and retirees, families and singles, have discovered that cats are wonderful companions. If you know a cat fanatic, work the theme into a great gift idea. Here are some to get you started:

Kitty Decor: If they’re into cats, they probably wouldn’t mind a table runner, framed art or linens that boast furry felines.

Paw Door Knocker: They’ll love a classy little door knocker that exhibits a perfect paw print. Go online to find the best selection of brass and nickel door knockers.

Cat Body Pillow: Most people use more than one pillow to compensate for the inadequate support of a traditional rectangular pillow. That’s why body pillows are such a great gift. Have them purring in comfort with an extra long pillow shaped like their favorite pal.

A Gift for Kitty: What better way to bring a cat lover joy than to buy a little something for their cat? There are a ton of really unique doodads and widgets for kitties these days. Imagine a robot controlled kitty exerciser or a rhinestone bling bling kitty collar. Sensational!

Funny Cat Books: If you visit a book store or search around online, you’re sure to find a wide selection of hilarious cat books that will have them roaring. How about the New Yorker Book of Cat Cartoons? Or Cockatiels for Two: A Book of Cat Cartoons? For something with a bit of drama, look for The Cats of Our Lives: Funny and Heartwarming Reminiscences of Feline Companions.

Handcrafted Cat Lover Gifts: Visit online retailers specializing in handcrafted items for cat lovers. They have an extraordinary assortment of wood boxes, jewelry, gift sets and decorative accessories that celebrate his or her favorite feline. Especially look for the kitty wind chimes or UFO kitty pin.

Cat Bejeweled Clothing: Not happy with anything you’ve seen so far? Well, there’s always a t-shirt, sweatshirt, apron or socks accented with a cat or two. You can find gifts like these just about anywhere.

Cat lovers are one of the easiest people to buy a gift for. From decor to fun stuff, you’ll definitely be giving that purrrfect gift!

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. All Rights Reserved. This article is brought to you courtesy of The Home Gift Shopper - http://www.homegiftshopper.com - A wonderful online source for gifts and gift ideas.

When you purchase an expensive barbecue grill, it’s like an investment. You expect it to last for years to come and provide you with perfectly cooked food whenever you want it. But, keeping your barbecue working at optimal performance and looking its best is going to take a little work on your behalf. So, whether you have a gas, electric, charcoal or smoke barbecue grill, get ready to learn some easy tips on how to take care and repair it right at home.

You’re going to need some tools to clean your barbecue grill, so check to see that you have these essential items on hand:

Brass wire grill brush
Soap-embedded, fine steel wool pads
Mild dish soap
Sponge or dishcloth
Spray cooking oil
Dry baking soda
Aluminum foil
Newspaper

These items will enable you to keep your charcoal, electric, gas or smoke barbecue grill looking as fantastic as the day you first brought it home. The first step to keeping your grill clean and sanitary is brushing off the grill surfaces. All barbecue grills will need this done on a regular basis, so don’t neglect this crucial step. You will find that there are a variety of brushes available for this purpose, so make sure to choose the one best suited for the type of surface your barbecue grill is made of. If you have a cast iron surface, use a stainless steel brush, if you have a porcelain-coated barbecue grill, a brass-bristle brush is best. So, choose your brush wisely and your grill will reap the benefits. Also, check your grease pan every now and then for a buildup of debris. Clean it out if needed so your barbecue grill remains hygienic and safe.

Once your barbecue grill surface is clean, it’s time to spray it with cooking oil. Make absolutely positively sure that the grill is cold so the oil doesn’t ignite. Only a cold charcoal, electric, gas or smoke barbecue grill will benefit from a light coating of cooking oil. It will help to prevent your grill from rusting and prepare the surface for the next time you decide to fire up the barbecue!

The burner assemblies are additional parts on your barbecue grill that must be cleaned periodically as well. So, that means your gas valves, metal conduits and burners need your attention from time to time or debris, bugs and spiders will think of them as their permanent home.

A different idea for cleaning your electric, gas, charcoal or smoke barbecue grill involves the use of something you probably already have lying around the house. Standard baking soda is a great natural cleaning agent and will help to restore your grill to its usual splendor. Just sprinkle a bit of the baking soda onto a dry brush and scrub the grill. Rinse clean and do the same thing on knobs and trays.

Aluminum foil has yet another use, but I bet you didn’t think it was for cleaning your barbecue grill, did you? Well, think again because all you have to do is roll it up and gently rub it back and forth on your grill. It cleans wonderfully and is an inexpensive way to aid in the upkeep of your grill.

Probably the most unorthodox way to remove that greasy residue from your smoke, charcoal, electric or gas barbecue grill is with newspaper. Once you’ve finished grilling, all you have to do is soak a newspaper in water and leave it on top of your lukewarm grill rack with the lid down. Wait about 45 minutes to an hour and then use the paper to wipe off all of that hard to remove grease and grime.

The use of dish soap is common and very effective for cleaning all types of barbecue grills, so don’t rule out this method. Just place your grill and racks out in your yard and spray it down with water. Gently scrub your grill with a steel pad and rinse again.

All of these cleaning methods are great ideas for taking care of your grill, but to really make sure it looks model-perfect for as long as possible, invest in a cover. You spent a lot of money on your barbecue grill, so buy a cover and protect it from elements like rain, wind and dust.

Now that your gas, electric, smoke or charcoal barbecue is shiny and clean, it’s time to check it out and address any issues you’ve been having with it. But, before you toss it in the garbage or haul it off to the repair man, check to see if you can repair it yourself. Who knows, you just might save yourself some money and you’ll feel good about your handyman skills as well.

The first repair you’ll want to look at is the burner. Make sure the gas is disconnected and your grill is cold before beginning. When these steps have been taken, remove the grill, lava rock and bottom grill until you find the burner. If it’s rusty looking, take it out and replace it with a new one from your local hardware store. A professional would charge you a lot more to replace your burner, so skip that unnecessary step and do it yourself!

Many minor problems that arise in gas, electric, smoke or charcoal barbecue grills are a direct result of their upkeep. So, if your grill is making a weird noise, not lighting up as fast or just isn’t acting like itself, the best way to “repair” it is to clean it! You may think that whatever is wrong is internal but it just could be that a buildup of grime, grease and other debris is hindering its performance. Taking care of your grill and repairing it won’t be hard or time consuming if you baby it from the moment its wheels first meet your backyard. Buy a cover for it and clean if off after every use, it’s that simple. So, try some of the methods explained in this article and your barbecue grill should be up, running and sparkling clean in no time.

Copyright © Jeremy Hier

PERMISSIONS TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in its entirety free of charge, electronically or in print, provided it appears with the included copyright and author’s resource box with live website links.

Jeremy Hier is the Business Manager and Webmaster of

Gas Grills 4u
Shannon Willoby is a 25 year old freelance writer living in Phoenix, Arizona. She likes to offer her advice and tips to consumers looking to purchase natural gas grills and electric grills