Do you have your cell phone handy? Stop what you are doing and go get it because I want to show you something very cool. I am going to give you a look into the future... the very NEAR future. In fact once you begin to understand the possibilities of what I am going to demonstrate, you are going to be excited! And it is going to keep you awake tonight. But it's going to... Continue Reading

Social media has changed everything. When the Web first took off, it wasn't clear how anyone could make money by putting words on a Web page. Then Google brought out AdSense, competitors rushed in with their own programs and people who produced good content, paid attention to their ads and worked hard and patiently at building their sites got to see their incomes take off. But it was all pretty impersonal. Early websites provided information... Continue Reading

People are so predictable. A new trend surfaces and there are those that immediately begin to capitalize on it. Being on the lookout for "the next big thing" is fine. But what do you do when you discover it? For some people, they engross themselves in the new thing and learn the ins and outs so they can speak from experience. For others, it's all a matter of discovering how they can position themselves as... Continue Reading

I'm going to try something new. Typically, I write articles designed to inspire or educate. Occasionally I'll discuss a product or service I think you'll find valuable. And from time to time I share a little bit of my own life with you. I have an idea for a weekly "roundup" of sorts that I'll use to discuss things that are happening with me, my business, in the industry or whatever else crosses my mind... Continue Reading

There has been a lot of discussion and controversy related to tactics marketers use to get people to take action. Much of the controversy is related to a method called "forced continuity." This is where buyers will sign up for a trial or shipping-only price offer, and end up in a monthly billing program that they may or may not be aware of. Over the years I have seen it all. There's nothing wrong with... Continue Reading

I meet two kinds of entrepreneurs at conferences. The first are the people hoping to get rich quick. They listen to the speakers and they make notes but what they're really hoping is that someone will let slip a giant secret that will enable them to make a huge sack of cash. Their aim is to retire within a year and spend the rest of their life on the beach. Those are the people who... Continue Reading

What is the most frequently asked question that I receive, so often that I can expect to hear it daily from one source or another? "How do I make money online?" I get asked via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google Buzz. I get asked via forms on my web sites. I get asked on my blog. Clearly, this is a question people want answered. But they don't want the same old answers. They don't... Continue Reading

As Twitter continues to mature, so does my usage of it. I'm rapidly approaching my ten thousandth tweet (yes, that's 10,000) and I've had a lot of time to determine how Twitter works best for me. Notice that I didn't say "how I work best for Twitter." That's important, because I regularly hear people ask me this question. "How often should I tweet?" The person asking the question is usually riddled with Twitter anxiety (Twanxiety... Continue Reading

I'm pleased to announce that our newest iPhone game has just been released to the iTunes appstore. I've been playing the game Connect Four ever since I was a kid. I love the challenge of outwitting my opponent to see who can get four of their colored chips in a row first. I am also a fan of Popcap Games' Bejeweled. I mean, who hasn't spent hours on end swapping gems and getting them to... Continue Reading

It's great to see how Twitter has grown in the time I've been using it. But what's really impressive is the way that people are using it. Sure, there are spammers leaping on hashtags and trying to attract attention but they're a minority. And they're easily blocked. For the most part, people are using Twitter the way it should be used: as a way of building a community, broadcasting a brand and making valuable connections. Continue Reading

We are living in challenging times. If you are not feeling the economic pinch, you at least know others who are. Some blame the politicians, both Republicans and Democrats. Others blame the legal system. And many wag their finger at corporations who have failed to serve the customer in lieu of their own desire to become wealthy. Regardless, the end result is that unemployment is up and more people are having a difficult time making... Continue Reading

As a blogger, I frequently share my opinion on a number of topics. That sometimes includes current events or newsworthy items. However, I never put myself forth as a journalist. While I prefer to have my facts straight, I must confess that I don't always get it right. But I believe those who report news have a much bigger obligation to accurately report stories. Don't you agree? I can't tell you how many times I... Continue Reading

If you are an expert in your niche, there are those who will seek out your wisdom. Your blog is a great place to share your knowledge. Provide value for your readers and you are more likely to be bookmarked and earn repeat visits. Keep providing value and you'll find yourself with raving fans. The same thing goes for social media sites. Twitter, Facebook and others provide many opportunities to share your expertise. But your... Continue Reading

Though some people have labeled me as a visionary, I am incapable of predicting the future. And while I happen to latch on to hot trends before the curve, it doesn't mean I have a working crystal ball. Let's face it. I have no idea what is going to happen next. So how exactly do you know what your customer wants? There is a way. And it's actually not complex. It's not rocket science. Continue Reading