An Introduction To Learning Styles

We all have certain preferences when it comes to receiving information. Some of us like to learn exclusively by reading books, while others favour discussing ideas with other people to help themselves understand a topic or problem. Recognising what your preferences are is generally considered a good way to improve the way you perceive and process new information. It can be a very useful skill for someone still progressing through education.

This concept of "learning styles" has been a topic of much debate among educational professionals and academics over the years, with many different models and theories springing up as a result. One of the most popular models is the VARK model, which recognises three different types of learning style: 

• Visual - Refers to those who like to learn from written sources. This can include books, slideshows, charts and images.
• Auditory - Refers to those who prefer to hear and talk about new information. This means that they typically favour educational formats such as lectures and seminars, with the former offering the chance to hear large amounts of information while the other facilitates discussion, debate and group consensus.
• Kinesthetic - Refers to those who need to experience the subject they are being taught. This means they favour practical subjects where learning takes place through real-world applications of theoretical material and where the student is allowed to take a hands-on approach to the subject. Actual physical movement improves learning for people who favour this style.

These three learning styles cover a wide range of different educational activities, and most people will agree that they have preference for one or two styles over another. Knowing what your preferred learning style is can be very helpful, because it will help you tailor your own learning towards your strengths, subsequently making education more effective.

In order to help students recognise their learning preferences, it has been suggested that teachers should include in their lesson plans a variety of activities across the three styles. Encouraging an awareness of learning styles can also help students reflect more effectively on their own learning. Not only will they realise where their strengths lie but also their weaknesses, which will allow them to start to developing strategies to deal with the more challenging aspects of their education.

However, it is important to note that models of learning styles, including the VARK model, have received some criticism in recent years. One notable complaint has been that learning style theory implicitly suggests that we have one fixed or exclusive learning style to which we must adapt. This argument suggests that focusing too narrowly on "inherited" learning styles can actually damage our education, when really we should be developing learning strategies which will help us make the most out of each type of learning.

This argument highlights a popular misconception about learning styles being fixed and limiting. In fact, it is widely recognised that the most effective learners make use of all learning styles, responding to the demands and benefits of each to maximise their ability to receive and interpret new information. Perhaps the best approach that students can take is to recognize where they stand in relation to learning styles, so that they can tailor their education to make the most of their strengths while also working on their weaknesses. This will help them pursue a flexible and responsive attitude which, in turn, helps them get the most out of their education.

Hannah McCarthy is Schools Marketing Manager for Education City, a leading supplier of e-Learning software to the preschool and school markets in the US. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6374188

How to Learn Any Subject?

Learning is such a critical aspect of one's life. In essence life is a major school. At every stage of life, from birth to adulthood, learning takes place in various modalities. There is a difference though between structured or formal learning and what I call "fun learning" or passive learning. For example, the type of learning that takes place when one is reading an enjoyable text or watching a favorite movie or documentary. This is not to mitigate the value of this type of learning but to call attention to the phenomenon that usually the learning extracted is not preplanned or based on specific outcomes. Consequently, the learning opportunity may be more expendable. The keys to learning effectively are purpose, self-awareness, and organization. The precursors to this triad include the skills and background knowledge necessary to create the path for effective learning.

For our purpose here, we'll be discussing structured learning as it the most reliable and standardized. By the time a child enters kindergarten, he has already been exposed to some structured learning environment albeit without his conscious knowledge. He/she may already be using the word "school" nonchalantly. Kindergarten may even be more structured and may be categorized as "real" learning, perhaps because this is the place for the foundation of literacy skills. Most people tend to have fond memories about their experiences as a kindergartener. Thus, it qualifies the purpose aspect of effective learning. This may be a residue of the type of learning inherent in wanting to walk as a child, feed oneself, figuring out how to reach the high shelf, or tie one's shoe laces.

Purpose is synonymous with motivation in this context. The greater one's desires or goals towards achieving a certain outcome are, the greater the purpose. Purpose is the reason one is engaged in studying something in particular. Identifying the purpose may be easier if the endeavor is self-induced or voluntary. In the case of an involuntary situation, it is even more important to identify a purpose. It is effective pedagogical practice to guide young learners in a conversation about the objectives for learning about a particular topic and connect those to their previous knowledge.

First things first, knowing the purpose for doing anything is essential. This must be deliberate and intentional. We always have choices even when it seems like we don't. They may be difficult choices with pleasant or unpleasant consequences. When a learner finds himself with a prescribed course which he feels is "useless", "irrelevant " or "boring", he has the option of not taking the course or create an objective or purpose that is personally authentic and relevant to himself at the onset of the course. For example:" I don't like French. I am not good at foreign languages, but I like history." So a possible question to ask to formulate your purpose is: What is the role of France, its people and the language in the history of _____? You fill in the blank. Another point of focus could be the French language of today vs. yesterday.

Authenticity and interests are quintessential here. The learner has to take responsibility to define his own purpose for studying something based on his interests, academic and or social strengths, or just a pure desire or goal to do well. The point here is that the learner has to establish a reason for studying something, which could be as specific or as generic as he wants it. However, it must resonate with a core aspect of personality or value or both.

This brings us to the next requirement- self-awareness. The learner can use these questions as a guide: Who are you as a personality? What matters to you? What do you value? How did you learn what you learned before? What techniques did you use? Knowing "thyself" is one of the best given advices. This is a lifetime quest but we start by paying attention to ourselves and reflecting consistently. Tools such as multiple intelligence, IQ, and emotional intelligence tests can provide some insights and directions. Take responsibility for your own learning. Some environments and teaching methodologies are more optimized for learning. However, the greatest responsibility still lies with you. After the learner has satisfactorily answered the questions he has to apply the findings. For example, an extrovert needs to ask questions and engage in discussions and find alternate, lively tools to engage with the materials if the instructor doesn't provide them. An introvert may need to take copious notes and engage in discussions in small groups. This brings us to the third component of effective learning- organization.

It is the "how to" aspect of learning. There is basic organization which involves common sensible tasks such as being prepared with tools for learning, consistency of attendance, and active participation through deep listening and wholesome presence. If you are in class, just be in class. There is also a deeper level of organization required to reach the summit of Gardner's multiple intelligence theory. Effective learning is about understanding, applying, and creating with your new found knowledge. This is lowest to highest. Your knowledge of self-awareness applies in developing a personal learning plan. Only the learner can answer the questions of how he learns best. The basic premise of learning of how to complete a task eventually turns to forming automatic habits.

Mastering a skill though takes deliberate focus and intention. The rapper and producer, Maurice Young states: "To become a master at any skill, it takes the total effort of your heart, mind, and soul working together in tandem. Thus, collaboration and synergism are important. Aligning your purpose for learning plus your knowledge of self-awareness equals your method of organizing your learning plan. The learner may need a more aggressive plan for the subject in which he feels weak. A visual, auditory and a tactile learner may need different plans that are customized and personalized. This is not so much about learning in general. It is how effectively we are learning for the long-term.

As learners, we have developed habits and practices of studying that may be more or less effective, appropriate or inappropriate for certain tasks. Sometimes, they become so deeply ingrained that they have become automatic. However, how effective are they? How do they fare with your short and long term goals for studying the subject or course? Short-term goals correspond more with listening, note-taking, time management, being well versed in the requirements of the course, knowing your instructor's style of teaching and expectations. Short-term goals also have short-term gratifications. Long-term goals however are more futuristic and valuable as the actualized learning and skills acquired are beneficial to society. This is where marrying your mind as in your purpose for studying, your heart as in your core values and or your personality and your soul as in having a vision of sharing this knowledge with others can have the greatest impact on your education.

The purpose of learning is to become educated. Education is for us and others. It is a tool for the betterment of us as a society. Effective learning is learning for today and tomorrow. Companies and organizations are best led by people with diverse talents and skills such as collaboration, technical, analytical, organizational, and critical thinking. These skills can be developed with a deliberate plan to aim at the highest levels of intelligence of Bloom's taxonomy. In a nutshell, cultivating a sense of observance of self and others, having a vision and an action plan are the keys for an effective learning recipe. Two major ingredients that are required are motivation and commitment. This materializes by defining a personal authentic goal, raison d'être for studying and prioritizing goals, then breaking them down into specific tasks for maximizing time in and outside of class.

Effective learning is holistic learning. Education is like a mirror one holds up to himself and others. The better we become as learners, the more we grow and evolve. This way we are better equipped to serve our society. Learning is living. Live well and learn well! 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9398597

A Change of Direction - a message from this blogger

When I started this blog I was learning how to set up an online business.  One very important aspect of that project is the importance of self-education. 

I have been self-educating for many many years and frankly I'm hooked!  I love to learn.  I'm also a qualified teacher so spend my days helping others to learn.  This gives me enormous satisfaction so I've decided that it's only appropriate that I share what I know and love about learning with you all.

I'm still on this journey and will be for the rest of my life. 

So from this point forward most of my blogs will be about personal development.  However, as I'm learning about developing a business online you might find a few on this topic too.

Enjoy.

Learn Online Marketing And Grow Your Business

If you are running an online business, it is imperative that you learn online marketing. Wait a minute. You can just hire online experts and let them do all the hard work, right? Wrong! Take it from a person who made it big in the business world. Donald Trump's first lesson from his dad is this: "know everything you can about what you are doing." Hence, if you are marketing your business online, you have to learn online marketing.

It is true that it is faster and cheaper to pay for someone do the job than spend time learning about it, but it goes against all the principles of doing the business correctly. There are three problems with this kind of approach: first, if you let others run your business, you risk yourself of being dependent on them. Second, your business's growth is dependent on your personal growth. In other words, if you don't learn new skills, your business will not expand. Third, if you don't know what you are doing, you don't know where you are going.

Educate Yourself 

Take time to learn how to market online or at least its fundamentals if you are just starting. Just like any other profession, you have to keep on learning. If you want to be involved in online marketing and be good at it, you need to know what's happening, how it is evolving, and what are the latest methods and techniques you can apply. There's just no way around it.

You can approach it either by taking an online course or by self study. There are official online courses which require you to enroll on a distance learning program set up by schools. This is a paid program, but the things you learn are all worth it. If you are okay with doing things on your own, then you can learn online marketing from free online courses.

There are a lot of materials on the internet where you can learn internet marketing for free. You can watch videos, read articles, subscribe on newsletters, and download ebooks. You can attend free live webinars and listen to podcasts.

Study different online marketing terminologies and different techniques and why they are effective. Learn from stories of successful online businesses. Study your opponents by learning what they do and how they do it. Do not stop learning. If online marketing is your business, you have to treat it as such.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6890898

What's The Best Online Business For You?

There are all sorts of different online business programs, plans, ideas and concepts out there on the internet. Is one better than the other? It's impossible to say that one works better than another because it all depends on the type of person you are. The type of online business that your next door neighbour runs might be highly profitable for them, but a real challenge for you.

To help you decide on the best online business to suit you, here are the 3 popular online business models. They all work, but which one do you like best?

1. You've No Products To Sell But You Want To Start Your Own Online Business

If you've woken up to the fact that the online business world is the biggest marketplace ever and people are buying and selling online all the time, but you've got nothing to sell, what can you do?

Simple. You sell products or services that have been created by other businesses. This is called affiliate marketing. Think of it being like a commission paid sales person. You promote and sell products or services online and when you make a sale, the product owner pays you a commission.

It's a great way to start an online business because there are affiliate products available to sell in just about every industry you can imagine. You don't have to pre-buy and hold any stock and the product owner sorts out the payment systems and product delivery.

2. What If You've Got A Product (Or Product Idea) And You Want To Sell It Online?

You don't have to sell other people's products if you've got your own. Plus, you get to keep all the profits. The best products to sell online are digital products. These can be in the format of an eBook, a report, a video course or an audio series. A digital products is something that a customer can download it instantly when they buy it from you. If you have an interest or special knowledge about a subject matter you can easily create a digital product and sell it online.

Although there is a lot of free information on the internet, selling information in the form of courses, insider tips or tutorials is big business on the internet. The great thing about creating a digital product is that you only have to create it once and you can sell it time and time again.

3. Have You've Got Skills That People Will Pay For?

If you have a particular skill set you can sell those skills online. This could include business education, writing copy for websites, graphic design, website development and even being a virtual secretary. Websites like Elance and UpWork have a thousands of customers who are looking for people that can provide skills in return for payment. Are you one of those skilled people?

Regardless of your age, education, technical skills or qualifications there are no specific requirements for being a successful online entrepreneur. However you will be more successful with a solid business model to work from, clear direction, training and support. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9498238

10 Reasons Why You Should Start An Online Business

Whether you are attracted to an internet business because you hate your current job, want to improve your circumstances, or would like a more flexible lifestyle, the internet offers all these opportunities.

Why An Internet Business?

1- Flexibility

Many people come to find themselves with an internet business through necessity rather than deliberate creation. For me, I needed a flexible job which I could work around contract work. It didn't come in often but when the phone rang, I needed to take the work. This presented all kinds of problems. Normal work didn't pay as well and employers didn't want me taking large chunks of time off when the other work came in!

I tried juggling several jobs over a number of years but nothing seemed to fit. At around the same time I was attempting to use e-bay to buy and sell for a bit of extra money. It wasn't until later that I discovered affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing, for those who don't know is a kind of referral selling. You point links from your website to other people's goods and services. The link is tracked so that when you make a sale you are rewarded for it with a commission.

Once you know how to do this you can set up links from your online content to other people's products and services. You can also use paid advertising to find people all over the world to sell to. This was perfect for my work because I could take my laptop anywhere with me and as long as I had an internet connection I could work. It didn't interfere with the work when it came up, I had no boss to answer to so it was the perfect solution.

2 - Automation

There's also a number of other reasons why I chose an internet business - and why you should too! The flexibility of the business was my primary concern. I wanted to be able to choose my own hours so I could take work when it came without any complications. But the other reason I chose this particular model was the ability to use technology to 'leverage' my time and income.

Once I had a website and content up and running, it kept going and I was able to make sales and deliver products without being physically present. This is the 'magic' of an online business. The automation involved with an online business means that you can do the work once and let that work keep running in the background. You can make sales and deliver products over and over through the same piece of content or advert, which can run an virtual autopilot 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

Each piece of content you create can send people to a landing page and sell a product. By creating many pieces of content and sharing them online you can build multiple sources of income which can all run continually, working as your own 'automated sales team'.

3 - Ability To Scale

Along with this amazing automation is the ability to scale your business. Because there is no human intervention in the 'sales loop', multiple sales can happen instantaneously through the same platforms. Your content and advertising can be grown over time and scaled instantly (in the case of paid advertising). As your content gets more shares and more people flow through your website and content, your sales grow as a result. If you use paid advertising you can also scale a profitable campaign up easily by increasing your daily budget.

The automation of an online business makes it very easy to scale. In the case of a physical business this often means more staff, sales tools, larger office space and a whole lot more expense and hassle. With an online business everything is already in place. You simply need to send more customers through the automated sales systems with content and/or paid advertising methods.

4 - Low Startup Costs

When I started an online business I did it from my own pocket. I didn't need a massive loan and I worked at a level which suited my budget. An internet business is very cost effective and you can start from scratch from pretty much any budget. If you have more to invest you can grow it faster with paid advertising. But, if you are on a budget like I was when I got started, you can get started easily and cheaply.

With a regular 'bricks and mortar' business there are many overheads to consider. Your costs include a business premises, staff, hardware and stock. Then there's advertising and delivery costs. With an online business you just need a laptop and an internet connection - two things many people already have. Your main cost is getting the right education and learning the best strategy to build on.

5 - Simplicity

Technology has made it much easier than was previously possible to set up your own website and learn how to use simple online platforms to connect people to products and services. Advertising and content creation is now available for anyone to use. Websites can be set up with a few clicks and anyone with an email can learn to use the tools and strategies of online marketers.

Whereas previously website building was the domain of the tech savvy programmer, now anyone can use simple user friendly platforms and programs. An online business sounds like something for a technical person, but anyone can now learn the skills needed to build their own online business.

6 - Control

An internet business gives you control over your life. Of course it takes time to build up to a stage where it can replace your current income. But the flexibility of an internet business means you can work it around your existing employment until you can make this happen.
Once your income is beyond that of your employment, you are in a very good position to take charge of your life. You don't have to do the daily commute, or put up with an uncomfortable working situation. If you don't like your job you can quit. Don't like your boss? Fire him/her!
One of the very best things about an internet based business is the control it gives you over your life. You can also build your work around your lifestyle, rather than the other way round. Most people are forced to put work first in everything they do. Family time, holidays and hobbies all tend to depend and evolve around work. An internet business allows you to prioritize the things in your life which mean the most. It can put you back in the driving seat of your life, both in terms of what you earn and how you spend your time.

7 - Work From Anywhere

Not only does an internet business offer great flexibility in terms of working hours but it also offers you the choice to work from anywhere globally. This appeals to many people who would otherwise be more trapped by conventional work in a localized workplace.
For me, it was the flexibility of being able to choose my own hours and not have a boss. But for many the ability to travel anywhere globally is the most important factor to owning their own online business.
Take your laptop anywhere with an internet connection and work while abroad and travelling.

8 - Learn Life Skills

The skills I have learned from building my own internet business also make me much more employable. I also worked for an internet based company with the skills I learned from my laptop while sitting at home!

Being able to reach people globally and target specific types of people is a great skill and very desirable in business too. I was also able to use the knowledge I learned online to build one of my other physical businesses much more quickly by using both my website building skills and paid advertising.

The internet is a fantastic opportunity for anyone to be able to improve themselves, learn new skills and build another source of income. Skills learned are yours for life, whether or not you continue down the path of building an online business.

9 - Independence

We might believe ourselves to be independent but many of us are very dependent on our work for income. As such, our employers tell us how much we can earn, how much holiday we can take and what we will be doing while at work. Financial independence is the ultimate freedom.

When we are financially independent we can take a holiday whenever we please and work in our own time and on our own agenda. An online business gives you the automation and independence to live life on your terms, without the agenda of an employer running your life.

10 - Sovereignty

Being an owner gives you sovereignty. The ability to call the shots in your business is what many entrepreneurs aspire to. As a business owner your actions determine whether you make a success of your business or not.

Having a successful online business gives you the kind of freedom which most people will never see in their lifetime. The ability to create your own life on your terms is the reward of having worked hard on your business and on yourself.

Not having a boss, choosing your own working hours and choosing who you spend time with are all luxuries which are earned from working hard on your own business.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9663156

The Power of Online Business Directories and How to Get Started Fast

More and more small businesses today are using online business directories to their benefit. If you run a small business, you likely spend a great deal of your time thinking about your marketing plan. online business directories can be a great addition to your current small business marketing strategy. Those sites can help your small business expand its website traffic, increase the likelihood that your website will be found by interested visitors and increase your bottom line. If you haven't taken a look at those directories and considered how your small business could use them to increase its market presence, then now is the time to start!

What Are Online Business Directories?

There are many different types of online business directories available on the Internet. Each of these sites serves a specific purpose and can be used by your small business in specific ways.

An online business directory is a website submission service that allows your small business' website to be added to a specific category where it can be searched for by interested visitors. Listing your small business on an online business directory increases your website's visibility on the web and helps to create inbound links to your business' website. This places make it easy for people to find what they are looking for. These directories can be accessed from just about anywhere that has an internet connection. This means that people could find your business' website from their home, office or even while traveling.

Every website that is submitted to an online business directory is placed in a specific category. These categories can range in how they are organized. Some are organized by business-related categories, some are organized according to personal preferences and others are organized by subject. Each category consists of several websites relating to a specific topic. Each website listing features the name of the website, a direct link to the website and a short description of the website. Interested Internet visitors will be able to browse through the various categories in the directory and locate websites like yours that they may be interested in visiting. Essentially, those places make it easier for any visitor to find your business' website.

How Do Online Business Directories Work?

The concept of online business directories is actually a pretty simple one. These webistes are very similar to the Yellow Pages in the real world, only these listings are only online. (Actually Yellow Pages.com is now one of the largest online directories as well.) A directory is just a listing place for a number of websites. Any type of website could be listed in an online business directory. Some directories are huge and cover every topic that someone could create a website for, while others are very small and specific to a specific niche.

Let's use an example. Say you are a model airplane enthusiast and you want to find some websites that cater to your specific interest. You could look through a huge online business directory such as Google My Business and find several dozen websites that are related to model airplanes. Or you could look for an online business directory that is niche-specific, which means that the entire online business directory would be based on hobbies such as model airplanes. With a niche-specific directory you may find even more websites that are based on your specific interest than what you could find on the larger directories.

Since online business directories are organized by categories, finding websites that relate to a specific interest such as model airplanes is very easy. You could find information and websites about model airplanes in your local region too, if you use a regional-specific online business directory. So if you live in Phoenix you could find websites that relate to both model airplanes and the Phoenix area. These places will direct you to websites that you want to find. All you have to do is perform a search in the online business directory for a specific topic or browse through the various categories until you find the type of websites you are looking for. When you perform a search you will be given a list of all of the websites that relate to your search term. You will be presented with a number of links to these websites and each link will have a short description of what you are likely to find on the website. You can read the descriptions and choose to click on the website that best suits you.

There are many different types of websites that you could find under a specific topic as well. For example, if you search several of those sites for information relating to model airplanes you may find websites that are about building model airplanes, flying model airplanes, creating historically accurate model planes, tips and instructions about how to fly model planes, websites that sell model airplanes and charters and associations that you could join regarding model airplanes. These are just a few of the examples you could find using an online business directory. There are simply too many topics to list them all here.

You can see how anyone can use an online business directory to find websites relating to things that interest them. As a small business owner you can see how potential customers of yours are using those web sites too. Now that you understand how online business directories work it is time to see how they can work for your business.

How Do Online Business Directories Benefit Small Businesses?

There are many benefits associated with listing your small business in an online business directory. The more directories you can use to list your business the more benefits you will reap. Here are some of the benefits of using online business directories:

Exposure

Exposure is important for all business marketing strategies. After all, the more people who are exposed to your business the more people are likely to utilize your business' services. If online visitors aren't able to see your website or even know that it exists, then they probably aren't going to purchase your products or services. Listing your business' website in those sites helps your website to gain exposure. Thousands of people use these websites every day to find things they are interested in. These are people who are actively searching for websites that are directly related to your products or services. They are already looking- all you have to do is make it easy for them to find you. These sites will expose your business to more online visitors, which could increase traffic to your website.

Increased Traffic

There are several ways that these directories can help you increase the amount of traffic your website receives. For starters, the more exposure your website has the more people are likely to visit it. But these websites offer more than just exposure from potential viewers. They also offer exposure to the various major search engine crawlers like Google and even YouTube. This increases the chances that your website will appear on major search engine results pages, or SERPs, which will allow more people to see the website when they perform a regular search. Both search engine optimization exposure and exposure to more people who are searching for your website could result in increased traffic to your small business' website.

Cheap Advertising

As a small business owner you already understand the importance of advertising. You know that it helps customers to find your business and recognize your name and brand. You probably have little room in your budget for more advertising right this moment. That is one of the major benefits of listing your business' website in an online business directory. Online business directories are inexpensive to join and they offer a lot of exposure for the price. Some of these sites will allow you to list your business for free, while others will charge a minimal fee. Either way, you are getting a lot of exposure for far less money than you would spend on a TV or radio advertisement spot.

Professional Appearance

You want everything about your business to look professional in the eyes of your customers. A professional appearance enhances your status and makes customers more likely to patronize your business. Online directories help you to look like a professional business. When an online consumer sees your business listing in an online business directory, they will consider your business to be an authority on the subject and a professional place to do business. Unlike a search that is performed on a major search engine like Google, where there is little difference between the legitimate websites relating to a topic and the less than useful websites, those places are mostly legitimate websites. Online consumers are more likely to trust what they see on such sites.

SEO Benefits

Online business directories offer several search engine optimization benefits as well. Firstly, these directories offer you more inbound links. When an online visitor sees your website link in an online business directory, they will be able to click on it and be instantly re-directed to your website. This is a great way to increase traffic. It is a great way to improve your status in the eyes of search engine crawlers too. The more backlinks that a search engine crawler can find, the more relevant they will rank your website. This is especially true of authoritative sites. Being linked to a major online business directory, such as Google My Business, will give your website more relevancy in the eyes of Google's search engine crawlers. This will result in a higher page ranking on the SERP. As you know, a higher search engine result page rank you get, the more people are going to click on your website link.

Increased Revenue

When more people are able to find your website it increases the chances that they will visit your website. When people visit your website they are more likely to purchase your goods or services. This means that these sites can help you increase your revenue stream. Online business directories are good for your bottom line.

Increased Brand Recognition and Customer Interaction

When an online viewer locates your website though an online business directory, they are more likely to remember your business's name and directly interact with it. Online business directories can help your business stand out to customers as well. Overall, listing your small business in an online business directory will help you to create a more comprehensive and effective online presence.

Listing your small business' website with several online business directories will help more people find your website, whether they are specifically searching for it or if they are just browsing. In addition to gaining exposure, appearing on those sites will provide major SEO benefits, which will help search engines find your site. Increased exposure and higher search engine rankings will result in more traffic to your website, which will result in higher revenue.

There are many different types of online business directories, from large global directories to small, niche and location-specific ones. Some examples of other types of online directories can include reciprocal link directories, free directories, paid directories, Business 2 Business directories, theme-related directories, small business directories and many, many more.

Why You Should Consider Listing Your Small Business in an Online Directory

Apart from the concept that online business directories will increase the amount of exposure your website gets and help with your SEO strategies, they are also a very effective way to directly target potential customers. Places like those make it easy for online users to find something they want. According to a study performed by Burke, 8 out of 10 people will use a print or online business directory to find companies or products they are looking for. The same study also suggested that 8 out of 10 people who use these directories to locate a business do so with the intent to purchase a product or service from them. This is a very effective form of targeted advertising. The customer already needs or wants your product or service and you can directly target them by listing your website in an online business directory.

Another reason why you should consider listing your small business has to do with your return on investment, or ROI. Since the potential benefits of getting increased website traffic are great compared to how much you will have to spend to list your website in an online business directory, you can see a great return on your investment in the form of increased revenue. You also want to keep your brand and your company name in the minds of consumers at all times, which is something else that an online business directory can help with.

What Online Business Directories Should You Use for Your Small Business?

Even though listing your website in many online business directories will improve your website's exposure and SEO ranking, it is not effective to just SPAM your website into every single online business directory you can find. You will want to take some time to consider which specific site will give you the best ROI. The best option is to find a great combination of directories to join. If you run a small business, the best place to start may be with a local directory. This is because most people will search for businesses in their area they can patronize. Local market and niche-specific online directories can offer extremely targeted advertisements to potential local customers.

After your business is listed in these directories you can take a look at the larger and potentially more expensive general-interest directories. You will probably want to consider listing with the top 10-15 online business directories, as these will be used by a lot of people and will offer higher relevancy and authority in the eyes of search engines. Google My Business and LinkedIn are large general-interest directories that you will want to list your small business in. If your website sells tangible goods you may also want to consider listing it in comparison shopping websites and product listings directories. Studies show that 42% of consumers will look at a comparison shopping website before they decide to purchase a specific product.

The best way to figure out which specific directories your small business should be listed in is to start with your competitors. Take a look at your local and niche-specific options and figure out if your competition is already listed. If they are you need to be listed too. If they are not listed you may want to list your website as a way to beat them to the punch. In some situations it may not make sense for you to have a listing in a specific online business directory, even if your competitors are listed in it. Your goal should be to be listed in every relevant and niche-specific directory you can find as well as many of the major directories, but no so many directories that you appear SPAMMY.

In addition to listing your business in online business directories, you also need to maintain these listings. It is important for your online business directory listings to be up to date and accurate, or else you could just be wasting your time. If your directory information seems out of date your customers will probably look elsewhere.

It will probably take some time to see the results of listing your small business' website in so many online sites, but eventually you will see results. The best way to find the perfect combination of online business directory listings for your business is to use some sort of tracking or analytics system. You will want to be able to see how many people clicked on your website links from within the directory and if your website has shown increased traffic since then. You will want to stop wasting your time with online directories that are not producing results and increase the time and effort you spend on sites that are productive.

Best Practices for Listing Your Small Business in Online Business Directories

Now that you understand why your small business should be listed in online business directories and have started locating the directories that you want to be listed in, you are ready to begin creating your business listings for submissions. Here are some tips and best practices for listing your small business in those directories.

Start by choosing local directories and directories that are niche-specific. So if you own a model airplane hobby shop in Phoenix, make sure you find a local Phoenix business directory and a directory that is related to model airplanes. If you can find a model airplane hobby directory for the Phoenix area, you are all set.

Once you're in local directories, start searching for larger and more generalized directories. Pick directories that get a lot of traffic and that are listed highly on major search engines like Google. A higher search engine ranking means that the directory will be considered as both authoritative and relevant in the eyes of search engines, making any links you get through these directories more valuable to your SEO strategy.

Include all of the relevant information regarding your small business in your website's directory description. This should include your business' name, location, telephone number, contact information and possibly reviews, business hours and anything else that is relevant. Add in photos, maps or other interactive features if the directory lets you.

Try to keep your information consistent across all of your online business directory listings. This will help your website to retain its credibility in the eyes of search engines and will assist with your SERP rankings.

Try to make your business stand out by offering an explanation of your business or any specific message the customer should know in your description.

Keep all of your information up to date. This may mean frequently updating all of your listings several times per month.

Allow customers to leave positive reviews and use them in your listing if the directory allows it.

Always be professional and consistent with your business' listings and message. This includes any information regarding your brand.

If you sell products or services to a local market, make sure your business is listed in a local business directory. Include geo-specific keywords and information. An example would be: "Dave's Model Plane Shop" + "Phoenix".

Optimize your website for SEO purposes and include the relevant keywords in your meta titles and listing descriptions. Keyword research is important.

Get Listed in the Top 10-15 Online Business Directories

Now is a great time to get your small business listed in the Top 10-15 sites. There are few other Internet marketing techniques that will offer so many benefits for such a small investment on your part. Listing your business in an online business directory will increase your website's online presence and help more people find you, which can help you increase your business's revenue.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9300276

The Unspoken Truths About Running a Successful Online Business

With the world currently steeped in an economic crisis of immense proportions the following questions become pertinent... How can we cope individually with this worldly predicament? How can we turn individually such immense negatives into positives?

While governments all round the world attempt to deal with this crisis, we must do something for ourselves both individually and collectively. And one sure way of doing so is to embark on an online business start-up. The Internet is growing every year as more and more people visit it to find information and buy goods and services. The aim of this article is to facilitate the process of starting an online business or of correcting a faltering online business.

Every day lots of people like you make the decision to start an online business, yet not everyone ends up succeeding at it. Many struggle and give up after a while, while others come through with different levels of success. The problem with starting an online business is that there is too much hype and too many lies surrounding the process.

The Internet is full of scam artists looking to make a quick bug, and it is easy to fall prey to these artists. The common tactic is to convince you that it is easy to make money on the Internet. All sorts of get-rich-quick schemes have been enacted on the Internet and these schemes are very enticing to newcomers. Who doesn't want a quick way to become rich, anyway? Isn't that the fastest way to financial freedom? However, with anything that sounds that good, there is always a catch.

The person who is promoting or selling a get-rich-quick scheme is after your money, and the idea of getting rich quick (with no effort at all) is the quickest way to persuade a newcomer to buy. This tactic only works for newcomers, and it works until the newcomer grows up to recognise that there is NO QUICK WAY to make money in this world (unless through fraud or unless you win a lottery).

The idea of getting sales by making get-rich-quick promises is a scam. It is a scam because the seller makes money by misleading the customer. The typical newcomer will move from one get-rich-quick scheme to another until he or she gets the message... that it is a fraud! The newcomer then gives up in frustration, or continues to search for the fundamental truths of online business success. If you are a newcomer and your first port of call is this article then you are a lucky newcomer. This article will get you out of the hands of the many get-rich-quick crooks that infest the Net. It will direct your efforts along the correct path to online business success, so that you don't waste your money by dealing with Internet crooks.

The Essence of Business Planning

Remember that an online business is first and foremost a business. This means that the traditional basics of achieving business success apply. For instance, it is well-known that a business that has no plan is almost certain to fail. No matter how small the business is, it still needs a plan. A business plan compels you to think before you act. It compels you to find out about your business area before you start; i.e. to research your business area or to establish its groundwork.

A business plan forces you to think hard about your competition and how you are going to beat them in the market. It forces you to establish whether your business idea is even worth pursuing. Why start a business that is going to fail? Isn't that stupidity?

A business plan forces you to establish the expected costs and revenues of your business, and hence to determine profitability. Why run a business when, at any time, you cannot tell whether or not the business is succeeding? If you don't know your costs or your revenues you cannot compare them together to tell whether your business is succeeding or failing.

An online business is no different from an offline business, when it comes to business planning! It needs a business plan! Yet, how many newcomers do we see trying to make it online without even understanding the concept of business planning? Is it then a surprise that too many fail?

A High Tech Business

The next key thing to understand about an online business is that it is a high-technology business. This point is all-too-often overlooked in all the hype or wild claims about getting rich quick on the Internet. As a high-tech business an online business is dominated by technological complexity. This complexity manifests not only in the process of web site research, design, and construction but also in the process of web site marketing (commonly called Internet marketing).

The only way to remove or hide such complexity is to use sophisticated software tools, and the more integrated the tools are the less is the technological complexity required to achieve a successful online business. The best tools integrate the entire cycle of web site research, design, and construction with the process of Internet marketing.

The end of this article refers you to the best integrated tool that the author has found for start-up and struggling online businesses. The tool integrates the entire online business building cycle and is the best tool to use for newcomers and strugglers. When newcomers have graduated into seasoned professionals (and can thus handle some amount of complexity) they can go for specialist tools that better optimise specific aspects of the online business cycle. This will lead to greater profitability, above what can be achieved with an integrated tool such as SBI!.

An Intellectual Business

The final key thing to understand about an online business is that it is an intellectually-intensive business. This means that you must be prepared to learn a great deal of new things, and you must be prepared to develop your own understanding of the new ideas. The development of your own unique understanding is paramount, as it is the basis for differentiating your business from other online businesses. Your business must be uniquely different from your competition. It must be better, or visitors will not see why they should be doing business with you. The uniqueness in your understanding of whatever you learn ultimately leads to the formulation of your unique selling proposition (USP), which is the basis for positioning your business and getting sales.

You will need to learn the fundamental online business philosophy that drives all successful online businesses. You will need to learn how to build an online business using the recommended integrated tool that does everything to handle the underlying technological complexity for you, thus simplifying your work considerably while dramatically shortening your time to success. You will need to learn practical Internet marketing skills, without necessarily being sucked into the underlying technological complexity. The recommended online business building tool handles the complexity for you.

Final Remarks

This article has discussed three fundamental truths about online business success that you must know if you don't want to fail. They are...

1. An online business must be planned. This forces you to think before you act. Without this you are almost certain to fail.

2. An online business is a high tech business. Newcomers and strugglers must use a sophisticated integrated tool to remove this complexity.

3. An online business is an intellectual business. Be prepared to learn a great deal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1608822

10 Concerns Affiliates Pose To Your Business!

Affiliate marketing can be particularly risky in terms of liability exposure. There are a number of concerns, ranging from liability for affiliate spam under the CAN-SPAM Act, violations of disclosure responsibilities under the FTC Act and even affiliate trademark infringement. In fact, this list is quite expansive.

However, it is possible for businesses to manage this risk by taking simple steps and by always using a comprehensive affiliate marketing agreement. The legal issues surrounding affiliate marketing can and should be addressed through the use of a comprehensive affiliate agreement. Of course, I recommend that every business consult its Internet attorney to draft this since the laws are constantly changing and the nature of affiliates may present some unique issues. But, the following discussion is a basic laundry list of some of the issues that any business using affiliates should specifically address.

1. Affiliate CAN-SPAM Act & Anti-Spam laws Compliance

The penalties for violating the CAN-SPAM act are stiff and businesses will want to comply with the Act. This means your business should absolutely address email marketing in its affiliate agreement and, specifically, the CAN-SPAM Act. Your business can get into trouble for affiliate emails under the CAN-SPAM Act if your business is actually considered to be the original "sender". The easiest way to limit liability is to completely restrict any affiliates from sending commercial emails. But, since this is not really practical, businesses should be certain to include a detailed clause in the affiliate agreement forcing the affiliate to comply with the CAN-SPAM Act and applicable state laws related to deception and fraud at all times.

TIP! A list of all the CAN-SPAM requirements along with other state law requirements should be included in an affiliate Anti-Spam Policy. Businesses should provide the policy to each of its affiliates and require them to comply with it by incorporating the policy in the affiliate agreement.

2. Failure to Disclose Material Connections

Also, affiliates can get your business in trouble for not disclosing their affiliate status and the fact they are being paid to promote or endorse products or services. Affiliates must do so in conjunction with any endorsements or positive reviews they make, including in any emails they send. Both your business and the affiliate can be liable since the affiliate will be considered as a "sponsored endorser" and a material connection with your business, which must be disclosed.

An affiliate who receives any type of compensation or consideration and provides a review or endorsement of any of your business's products or services will be considered to have a "material connection" to your business. All material connections must be disclosed by the affiliate. It should absolutely be stated in writing that affiliates must disclose the fact they are receiving some form of compensation whenever someone clicks on the affiliate link to purchase one of your business's products or services.

TIP! Businesses should always include an indemnification provision in the affiliate agreement. This type of provision will require the affiliate to reimburse and more or less be responsible for all costs your business incurs for their actions. They could even be required to defend the business in such case. Of course, this isn't something your business can really fall back on if it incurs liability since it will be liable. But, at least a contractual right will be created causing the affiliate to have to cover any damages your business incurs as a result of their actions. This is far better than not having such a provision at all.

3. Restrict the Use of Adware

Business's should also restrict affiliates from using any type of adware in the affiliate agreement. Adware usually supplies a user's computer with advertisements, or monitors the user's internet shopping and consumer activities. It is a privacy violation to download these types of applications on a user's computer without permission. If one of your business's affiliates uses unauthorized adware, the fines and penalties will be extremely stiff. Affiliate marketing agreements should include a provision stating that the affiliate will not install or use any type of application or program that delivers ads to a user's computer or monitor's a user's activities. The customer can only agree to such an installation on his or her computer after a conspicuous and clear explanation of the application's purpose is provided first.

4. Keyword advertising Concerns

Keyword advertising is essentially bidding upon certain targeted buyer related "keywords" to use in an affiliate's Google AdSense or other pay-per-click search engine campaigns. However, for affiliate marketing purposes, an affiliate marketing agreement should state that affiliates are liable for all claims of infringement, including trademark and copyright violations, arising from the content they use to market your business's products or services. The content to be specifically worried about here is keywords they use that actually infringe upon some third-party intellectual property rights-specifically trademark rights.

TIP! Affiliates should be required to carry errors and omissions insurance where practical. Without this type of insurance, your business is taking a risk that any of its affiliates will have sufficient assets that you will able to liquidate to satisfy any judgment you should obtain against them. More often than not, they won't have very many assets and you'll be stuck without any real recourse. An affiliate marketing agreement should still cover this type of risk though, at a minimum.

5. Click Fraud

Click fraud is a great concern in dealings with affiliates. Click fraud basically occurs when affiliates cause clicks to occur to the link being promoted, other than by genuine search engine generated traffic.

Some basic activities that are generally considered to constitute click fraud and that should be avoided are as follows:

Using only "click programs" that generate clicks to an affiliate link with insufficient or no site traffic that could possibly indicate that the affiliate website could produce the clicks reported;

Providing fraudulent leads;

Using fake redirects, automated software, and/or fraud to generate clicks on an affiliate link;

Typically, you see click fraud where click-through rates are much higher than industry averages and where the website traffic does not justify such high conversion rates. This practice usually come down to whether a breach of the affiliate marketing has agreement occurred. So, if you are a merchant or advertiser, it is very important that the affiliate marketing agreement you use specifies the payment mechanism, prohibits fraud and deception, and details a remedy for a violation.

6. Steal Ware

Any type of software that modifies affiliate tracking codes or replaces affiliate cookies on a user's computer and that diverts advertising commissions to another is known as "steal ware." Your business should always describe these activities in detail and restrict them in your affiliate marketing agreement. Of course, be sure to provide a remedy for any violations of this provision in the affiliate agreement.

7. Avoiding Brand Dilution

Businesses should be concerned with affiliates potentially diluting its brand identity. New or growing businesses should be interested in building a brand for its goods or services. Like any other brand, it takes time to build an identity and have it resonate in the minds of customers. Any type of dilution of the brand will undoubtedly slow down this process.

With that in mind, business's should never allow affiliates to purchase keywords with an existing brand name for any of their marketing (PPC) campaigns. The goal is to have affiliates promote your business brand in previously un-chartered territory. But, if any affiliate obtains a conversion from your business's brand name in a PPC campaign, they are essentially doing what the business could have done without an affiliate. Businesses want affiliates to drive traffic (and sales) through their own separate efforts. This means affiliates are supposed to create and monetize their own content.

If your business allows its affiliates to bid and use keywords that reflect its brand identity, your business will essentially be paying them for the work previously done by the business. Affiliate marketing agreements should restrict affiliates from bidding on brand names in any of their PPC campaigns. Additionally, affiliates should not be allowed to operate country-specific TLDs that include any business brand names. The customers who find you on country-specific TLDs and domains with typographical errors should be considered customers of the business anyways. Your business shouldn't pay someone else for the work the business has already performed to brand itself!

TIP! Businesses should always claim business profiles and prohibit affiliates from marketing on all local search engine directories. Some affiliates practice what amounts to "spamming" Yahoo local search directories and Google Maps by embedding their affiliate links in those directories. Any potential customer who finds your business via local search engine directories was a customer of your business from the beginning. This is another form of brand dilution and should be prohibited in an affiliate agreement.

8. Using Sub-affiliates

If your business is going to allow affiliates to subcontract out some work, it is important to require that affiliates identify in writing any and all sub-affiliates. Businesses may be held liable for the sub-affiliate's conduct, so your business should incorporate a way to identify any sub affiliates in the affiliate agreement. I also recommend that businesses include a provision in the agreement where affiliates indemnify the business and hold it harmless from any liabilities it may incur due to the actions of any sub-affiliates.

9. Unique Content

Affiliates should generate their own content! There are at least two reasons for this: (1) businesses are paying them to expand their brand into new space and enhance brand presence by identifying and expanding into new markets. Businesses don't pay affiliates to regurgitate pre-packaged material into old markets and attract the same clients; (2) restricting affiliates from copying existing content will help minimize any duplicate content issues. Provide samples for affiliates to view, but insist that the marketers add value to the products or services being promoted by creating their own marketing content.

10. Uniform Quality Control

Another measure I recommend to businesses is to create uniform guidance and provide accurate information about their products. A single, uniform standard setting forth expectations in terms of affiliate's quality of delivery and presentation and providing a single source of information about your business's products (or services) will minimize issues. Every business should ensure some means of quality control over the sale and promotion of its products.

This article was written by Philip A. Nicolosi, J.D. Mr. Nicolosi provides legal services through his law firm, Phil Nicolosi Law, P.C., focusing on startup and small business law, Internet & technology law and commercial transactions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Philip_A._Nicolosi,_J.D./167462

Niche Affiliate Marketing - Your Gateway To Success?

So what exactly is niche affiliate marketing?

Basically, it comes down to this. It's when you take a certain sector of a larger broader market, and hone in on a specific group within it. There will be certain specific needs that this tighter group of people need solutions for. It's your job to supply answers and solutions to their needs.

Mind you there are a few misconceptions about niche affiliate marketing. Here are some of the things we are generally taught:

- Focus on something you love

- The best way is to sell digital products

- You absolutely need to build your own web sites

Well ok, here's the reality though. You definitely do not need to love the niche you might be in to do very well with niche affiliate marketing. Sure, it can help, but, there is definitely money to be made even if you don't have a specific passion for it.

As far as digital products? Heck, there are hundreds, if not thousands of physical consumer goods you can profit from as well. Ever take a look at Amazon?

Lastly, you do not necessarily need your very own web site. In time you'll probably want to go this route, but, in the beginning there are many free avenues.

The point to be taken from this is, that while there is some great information out there on niche affiliate marketing, it's not all written in stone. Myself, I've been known to take an ass backwards approach. It also works, and very well to I might add.

If you really want to learn, the best way is to look at some of the people who already do it very well. Many have different approaches, but, it's the results that matter. You'd be wise to find one or two of these people, and follow their examples.

Here is one thing that successful niche marketers tend to do.

Once they find something that works, they repeat the same process, over and over again. They try to keep things as easy as possible. Try not to always read to much into the equation. Some guys may only build their sites on HubPages or Blogger.com.

Next they begin to drive traffic to those sites. It's not everybody's thing, but for some, that's how they do it. Then later on, once they have established themselves, and have a bit of money in their budgets, it's then that they will expand their horizons. Normally this is when they move onto their own domains and blogs, where they have more control.

Niche affiliate marketing is a great way to earn some money in the easiest way possible online. Just remember to find somebody that's very good at it, and follow their lead. In time, if you work at a proven model consistently, you'll start to have some real success yourself!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5202179

Free Online Blogging Strategies For Increasing Traffic

Apart from just making your blog look attractive you need to learn some free online blogging tactics in order to promote it. Long gone are the days when just having a blog guaranteed you visits since there are now millions of blogs thus you need to work extra hard to increase traffic to your web pages. This also applies to content; content alone will not guarantee blogging success.

To stay ahead of your competition especially if you want to make money blogging, there are some simple proven free online blogging ideas that need to be implemented to ensure you get picked by blog search engines like Technocrati.

Social bookmarking is one of these proven ideas for increasing traffic to your blog and thus improving your experience when it comes to free online blogging. Sign up a free account with sites like Diggs, Reddit, Stumpleupon and Delicious. These sites allow you to submit your content for free. Adding you page links on social bookmaking sites also boost your page ranking since these sites are ranked high on search engines.

Blog promotion is the secret to free online blogging success hence you need to think outside the box. Your email address can go a long way in ensuring you increase traffic. Therefore, make sure you add your blog link in your email signature. You should not stop there; your business cards should also contain your blog URL. The idea here is to find a way of telling the whole world about your blog.

Another free online blogging strategy is linking to other blogs. The best approach to this is making sure you link to blogs related to yours. Find out the top ranking blogs in your niche and include their links to your blog posts. If you land on a blog that has a trackback feature active then you will automatically get link backs in their comment section. I do not need to tell you the amount of exposure you will get from this strategy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5006988

How You Can Generate Fast Money Online Blogging

Have you ever thought you could make money online by blogging? Do you own a blog and want to use it to start earning extra income with your blog? Knowing the basic to blogging and how to monetize your blog is the key to earn a profit. To begin your fast money online blogging journey there are few things one must know.

Below is a simple way to earn income promoting your blogs:

First will be what type of blog do you have or want to start? If you don't have a blog presently, don't worry there are plenty of blogging platform you can choose from, plus they are free. Pick your platform carefully and don't go overboard with fancy gimmicks or gadgets on the blog, as this will only detract from the actual reason for the blog.

Once you have the platform you want to use, you need to pick a name for your blog. This name should be relevant to what you are going to blog about. An example is, "lose weight" or "dieting tips". This is a keyword rich name that can assist with SEO efforts.

Now that you have the platform and name, you want to make it appealing and keep it filled with good quality content relating to the name of your blog. Use keywords to target your audience and generate a following. Without readers you will not make money.

Now you can begin to promote your blog to other blogs, forums and directories to get more traffic. The more your blog is linked the better your ranking in the search engines and the more traffic will be sent to you.

Now, for the fast money online blogging...Monetize! You can make money by using Google AdSense. Sign up for an AdSense account and put the HTML code or account number in your blog (depends on your blog platform). Once you have the code in your blog, Google will put content on your blog relating to the topic you chose. You can set up what type of content i.e. text ads only, picture and text ads or just picture ads. Feel free to play around and see what does the best for you. For every click on the Google ad, you will earn a percentage from the click. More click equals more money.

Affiliate marketing through ClickBank or another affiliate program will generate even more profits for you. Register for an account and start to promote products relating to your blog. Don't promote dog products on a weight loss blog that will hinder your blog performance.

ClickBank is a great source for affiliate marketing products and you don't have to sell anything. You are able to review some products and use premade banners, and other tools provided to use on your own blog. You will just need to make sure you change the affiliate code to match the one you used when you registered. Every time someone clicks the affiliate link you have the potential to earn even bigger commissions and even recurring sales.

The key to fast money online blogging is keeping your blog updated with fresh relevant content and generate a following to your blog. Remember without traffic or a following to your site you will not make money. Submit articles to article directories, join forums, and even socialize your blog on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Don't overload visitors affiliate and AdSense links. Keep it fresh and relevant and you can make money online easily.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6837532