It’s Friday. I just crossed the 2,100 mark update on twitter and decided to share this ecourse I wrote to go out to my MTN newsletter subscribers. Now, my newsletter wears the Wired PR Works brand. Sending out a sequenced system like this works with email providers like Aweber – affiliate link.

Hope you find it useful. Because the report is seven pages long, I’m only posting the outline and the day one sequence here. To read the entire course, click the link and read the report or print it out. Let me know what you think.

5 Day Email Marketing Transformations Course

Day One: Brand Your Identity

Day Two: Present Offers the Crowd Can’t Resist

Day Three: How to Trigger Rapid Response

Day Four: Grow Your Own Groupies

Day Five: Measure What Works

Day 1/5 Email Marketing Transformations: Brand Your Identity

Welcome to day one of your Email Marketing Transformations. I’ll be checking in with you every day for the next five days.

Today’s topic is selecting a sender name that gets you noticed, brands your product or service and communicates who you are immediately.

If you’re like most email readers, the first thing you do when you open your inbox is scan the list of sender’s names. You want to know right away who’s trying to get your attention.

This may seem like a simple lesson – it is – yet, choosing and using your sender email address is your first step to marketing your business, products or your services online successfully.

So, let’s start with the basics . . .

What is a sender name and how does it differ from my email address?

The sender name is the name you select in Outlook and other email interface tools that identifies the message source. So, depending on which account I’m using, you’ll see emails coming from -

Barbara Rozgonyi – or Barbara Rozgonyi CoryWest – or Barbara Rozgonyi Wired PR Works.

Up until a few months ago, I used CoryWest, which worked to brand my company and make us look bigger, but carried no personal connection. New contacts often called me Cory, not Barbara, because they were recognizing the email sender name as my name.

But I didn’t know how confusing this really was until someone confessed that they were having trouble distinguishing between Cory and Barbara in the minds. So, I decided to add my name to my company name. Now, users get more clarity when they communicate with our parent company.

Members of the Marketing Transformations Network may not come directly in contact with CoryWest, but they will know get to know me. That’s why they see – Barbara Rozgonyi MTN – in the sender line.

So, what would I advise you to do?

If you own a company, request that everyone who communicates from your email system use at least their first, and preferably also their last name, along with the company name. For example, Michael Regent Accounting Pros tells you who from Accounting Pros is trying to reach you.

If you’re self-employed or promoting a product, you can test different sender names like “Time Saver” or “Beauty Secrets” or “Money Manager.” This marketing tactic may either draw in readers or drive them away. That’s why we recommend testing sender names – you may even want to survey your top customers to see what they respond to.

How do you set up a sender name?

In Outlook, go to accounts and enter the name you want to use. Some email hosts will not offer this option – they will only allow you to select an email address. If that’s the case, always use a domain based email address. For example, if your site is www.wowdowehaveideas.com and your name is Beth, then a possible email address could be beth@wowdowehaveideas.com. This way, every time you give out your email address, you promote your business.

Here’s a scary, slimy story that happened on Halloween.

They came from Poland, Paris, Russia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Estonia and Buffalo . . .

When I checked my Aweber stats today, I noticed that every one of the new email addresses on one of my more dormant lists hadn’t yet confirmed their subscription.

Usually I write this off to lack of interest, a language barrier or inbox overload. But since 100% hadn’t confirmed, I decided to dig deeper.

I found out that the first message they receive from me had a giveaway link to the bonus. Not good. Giving them the link after they go through the motions keeps them engaged. They may never confirm if you give it to them right away. Quick fix for mistake one: cancel the first message.

To intrigue the unverified leads, I considered sending them a light and friendly email suggesting they visit my site or blog. While I almost never write to unverified leads [unless the name comes from a friend who needs a nudge], I felt like in this case I might reroute alternative readers.

Before I went into compose mode, I checked one last place – the verification email sent to them upon the first opt-in request. Shocking, absolutely shocking, is the only way to describe what I kept opening up. Slimy spam dripped on my screen, but where was it oozing from? How in the world did I send that?

I frantically emailed a quick support request. Then, picked up the phone and dialed AWeber’s toll-free number. How did those messages get in there? The spammers sent them to my opt-in email address? Good thing I waited on the friendly email, huh?

Turns out nothing stops spammers from sending you anything they want. The worst part? Your list report gets a bit bloated by names that never intend to get your bonus – or your newsletter. As my AWeber CSR told me, having a double opt-in insures that they’ll never make it on your list and their name will expire in 30 days. Okay, thanks for getting my hopes up that a new group found me. Now you know if an email address isn’t verified within a few days, it’s probably sent by an autospambot somewhere. Just don’t open the email they send you – unless you want to get slimed.

Time Out: Making the Most of Your Business Marketing/PR Efforts

Summary: When you take time out to categorize and prioritize your marketing/PR efforts, you learn what you’re good at, what you can delegate and how to balance your day. In this article, you will discover ways to be a better marketer and well-rounded business professional by tracking and analyzing your performance.

Article and Watchful Butterfly Image by Barbara Rozgonyi, founder of CoryWest Media

To request permission to reproduce or republish this article or the Watchful Butterfly image, contact connect AT corywestmedia DOT com.

When you take time out to categorize and prioritize your marketing/PR efforts, you learn what you’re good at, what you can delegate and how to balance your day. In this article, you will discover ways to be a better marketer and well-rounded business professional by tracking and analyzing your performance.

For one week, track everything you do. Because you have a hand-written hard copy, writing on a notepad works better than typing. Make two columns: start time/end time and project or activity. At the end of the day, highlight income-producing activities in green.

Cross out anything you can delegate and transfer these items to a list that will become your job description for new employees, a marketing/PR consultant, an intern or a virtual assistant. Highlight all work-related activities that only you can do in yellow. Then go over the document and assign your activities into categories: income producing, administrative, creative and entertainment.

At the end of the week when you add up the time you spend on each, you’ll have a clear idea of how you prioritize your day. To grow your business, make adjustments and reallocate your time to make the most of your income producing business marketing/PR efforts.

Income Producing

How much time do your spend making money? Is it a priority or does your business run on auto-pilot with a steady stream of revenue or referrals? Do you personally need to make an effort to make money or can someone else do it for you? What other revenue streams might you consider: affiliate marketing, product sales or purchasing another business?

Administrative

Everyone has to some administrative work, don’t they? Even so, there are ways to reduce the administrative overload. For example, check email only a few times a day instead of responding immediately to every incoming message. You’ll stay focused longer and will save hours of wading through meaningless communications.

Creative

Allowing for a few hours a week of creative play recharges your energy and connects you to the world. Creative play might be finding new friends on Facebook, responding to questions on LinkedIn, having lunch with someone who inspires you, or taking photographs of falling leaves.

Entertainment

This catch-all category is up to you. Take some time to liven up your day, but don’t let your need for amusement take over. Accept that it’s okay to build in a few minutes for an entertainment break and find a quick escape route for that purpose. You can log onto a blog you like, check out the latest shoes online or look up airfares for a travel destination.

Stop trying to do it all

After a week, go back and look at where your time winds up. Ask yourself: Who else could do this for me? Would I get better returns or results if I outsourced? How can I save time? Is there a faster or more efficient way to complete this task? Refocusing your priorities onto the income producing category will help you grow your business.

About the author . . .

An in-demand publicist, professional speaker and marketing communications consultant since 1990, Barbara Rozgonyi is grounded, edgy and prophetic. “Panoramic PR,” Barbara’s latest project, compresses everything she knows into an affordable, manageable course that teaches small business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, experts, coaches and anyone else who wants more free publicity how to get completely covered by being fully exposed. Claim a free report and get automatic articles like this one at http://www.powerprsecrets.com.

Here’s the latest from Marketing Transformations Network News, an ongoing series of marketing and PR tools published for an international audience by CoryWest Media, LLC.

Beginning Blogging . . .

Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions

by Barbara Rozgonyi, founder of CoryWest Media

To request permission to reproduce or republish this article,

contact connect AT corywestmedia DOT com.

Thinking about becoming a blogger? In this article, you’ll learn the answers to frequently asked questions about beginning blogging.

What is a blog?

According to marketingterms.com, a blog is a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.

How does a blog differ from a Website?

Similarities: each has a domain name, design and navigation

Differences: Websites stay static, blogs allow for frequent updating

Which is better for Search Engine Optimization: a blog or a Website?

Because Google loves fresh content, a frequently updated blog will get better search engine results than a static Website.

How can I optimize my blog with keywords?

Blogs offer many ways to use keywords: post titles, categories, body copy of the post, anchor links and image tags.

What is Technorati?

Technorati is a site that ranks and reports blog statistics. You can claim your blog and then set up your favorite blogs to watch.

What is RSS?

RSS, Really Simple Syndication, is a delivery service. If you have a Google or Yahoo! account, you have RSS. When you see a blog you like, click on the RSS symbol and every new post will be delivered automatically to your reader. It’s like having the newspaper delivered to your driveway every day. You don’t have to go out and get it, it comes to you. To check out my blog’s feed, go to http://wiredprworks-barbararozgonyi.com/feed.

What if I’m Terrified of Technology?

If you can send email, write a Word document or dial a phone, you can publish a blog post.

What if I have no budget for new marketing?

You can host a free blog and consolidate many of your marketing initiatives.

What if I’m not a writer?

Not to worry. When you comment on the headlines, you post compelling news even if you didn’t make it.

What if I have no time for anything new?

Blogging can actually save you time. Reader search results let you know what products or services to focus on.

About the author . . .

An in-demand publicist, professional speaker and marketing communications consultant since 1990, Barbara Rozgonyi is grounded, edgy and prophetic. “Panoramic PR,” Barbara’s latest project, compresses everything she knows into an affordable, manageable course that teaches small business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, experts, coaches and anyone else who wants more free publicity how to get completely covered by being fully exposed. Claim a free report and get automatic articles like this one at http://www.powerprsecrets.com.

Here’s the latest from Marketing Transformations Network News, an ongoing series of marketing and PR tools published for an international audience by CoryWest Media, LLC.

Teleseminars as PR Tools

How to Turn Your Phone into a Profitable Publishing Platform

by Barbara Rozgonyi, founder of CoryWest Media

To request permission to reproduce or republish this article,

contact connect AT corywestmedia DOT com.

Click Here to Access Alex Mandossian’s Teleseminar Secrets

Looking for a simple, low-tech way to reach your target market? If you can dial a phone, you can conduct a teleseminar. Calling into a conference line, talking, recording your call and then packaging the content for release to the right audience positions you as a subject matter expert. In this article, you’ll discover the ten steps you need to take to turn your phone into a publishing platform that generates prospects and ongoing revenue.

1. Select a Teleseminar Topic

What do people want to know more about? What makes you an authority? If you’re not the authority, interview a panel of experts.

2. Map out a Teleseminar Call Format

Will this be a how-to, interview or case study? Can callers ask questions or will lines by muted? Set up series of calls to spread the experience and the content out over several weeks.

3. Script Your “Show”

Lead in music brands the call as a program. Adding another voice on the call, as an introducer, co-host, guest or narrator enhances the tone and content.

4. Secure a Teleconference Bridge Line

Free conference call providers allow you to schedule the call, let everyone be on the line at once, record it and store it online. You and your callers pay long-distance charges. Professional teleseminar presenters prefer to reserve a paid conference call bridge line that offers higher quality and better reliability.

5. Invite Listeners

Which communication channel works best for your audience? Start here and then consider layering marketing via email, direct mail, news releases, blog posts, joint venture partners, online event services, you guest’s communication routes and Google AdWords.

6. Record Your Teleseminar Content

If you’re a beginner, think about engaging a professional sound engineer to record the call, adjust sound levels and edit out pauses and special offers for live call listeners only. Use Sony SoundForge software to record the call and edit it yourself.

7. Transcribe Your Teleseminar Content to an Ebook

Once the call is complete, send the recording to a transcription service. An hour-long teleseminar translates into a 50 page ebook. String a few of these together, edit and the content and you have enough information to self-publish a manual or an ebook to either sell or offer as a promotion.

8. Offer Teleseminar Replays

Sometimes you want to offer replays for free: a 30 minute recording is enough time to introduce you and your concepts to listeners and works to advance them from a preliminary relationship into a repeat buyer.

9. Moneytize Your Teleseminar Content

Package the content as downloadable mp3s, CDs or ebooks and sell it on your site, at ebay or on www.amazon.com. Check your competition to see what’s selling and at what price, then sell yours for more as a higher value or less as an introductory or quick start program.

10. Repeat

Producing the teleseminar is relatively easy: you need a phone and a recording device. You can even produce the teleseminar for playback to a live audience. Marketing and promoting teleseminars takes some planning – repeating and refining your process makes for a finely crafted, highly valued listener experience.

About the author . . .

An in-demand publicist, professional speaker and marketing communications consultant since 1990, Barbara Rozgonyi is grounded, edgy and prophetic. “Panoramic PR,” Barbara’s latest project, compresses everything she knows into an affordable, manageable course that teaches small business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, experts, coaches and anyone else who wants more free publicity how to get completely covered by being fully exposed. Claim a free report and get automatic articles like this one at http://www.powerprsecrets.com.