I know for most of the Moller Marketing readers this is way too basic.

But this is a question I get from time to time as I help clients start an online business.

First let’s talk about…

Why Gmail?

1. Less Spam (or the spam is filtered in to a spam box)
2. Mobile Access: I don’t use this yet but probably will in the near future.
3. Lots of Space: unlike my Outlook account where I have to “Archive” things all the time, Gmail has SO MUCH free storage.
4. Access to everything else Google Offers: when you set up a Gmail account, you’re also setting up a Google Account, which will give you access to Google Analytics, Google Webmaster Tools, and other cool things from Google.
5. It’s always getting better: Gmail seems to always be doing something new. Check out their Gmail blog for all the things they have in the works.

Now the step by steps!

How to Set up a Gmail Account

Step 1:

• Go to Gmail.com and click on Create an Account

Step 2:

• Fill out the appropriate information

• You may enter in an email address that is already taken, Gmail will give you other options.

• Make sure to pick a password you’ll remember and that is “Strong” according to Google (using numbers and other characters can help)

• Use a security question you’ll remember (I’ve set up an account and then forgot HOW I typed in the answer…IDIOT Me!)

• When you’re finished, click  the “I accept. Create my account.” button.

Step 3:

• Congratulations – it was THAT EASY!

• You can now go straight to your account.

Step 4:

• Start testing it out!

Other Cool Gmail Features

• Importing contacts from other email: You can import your contacts and mail from Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL, and many other web mail or POP accounts. If you want, we’ll even keep importing your mail for the next 30 days.
• Google Chat & Video Chat: You don’t have to use another program — chat is built right into Gmail. Learn more about Google chat. You can even talk face to face with voice and video chat. All you need is a webcam and a small download that takes seconds to install.
• Archiving: You shouldn’t ever have to throw things away. Archiving moves messages out of your inbox and into “All Mail,” so they don’t clutter your inbox but remain searchable in case you ever need them again. Learn more about Gmail Archiving.
• Labels: Labels do the work of folders with an extra bonus: a conversation can have several labels, so you’re not forced to choose one particular folder. Learn more about Gmail Labels.

Why do you use Gmail?

I’ve been teaching a few clients how to use custom wordpress themes for their online businesses.

For this reason, I’ve temporarily changed the “look” of Moller Marketing to match the Halloween & Autumn colors.

Wouldn’t you LOVE to live in Utah right now?

photo from west light images

As a teaching tool, I wanted to show all Moller Marketing readers that yes, it is really easy to change the look of a Woo Theme.

Step by Step Guide on Changing WordPress Themes

Step 1: Purchase a Woo Theme and Download it to your Desktop.

Step 2: Upload the extracted file to your “Themes” folder using FTP (Filezilla is what I use).

Things you’ll need to know:

1. Host.
2. Your host username.
3. Your host password.

Once you log in, you’ll first locate the new theme file on the left side of the screen.  (Don’t open the file, just locate it.)

Then, follow this path on the right side of the screen:

public_html > your site folder > wp-content > Drag new theme to the Themes Folder

Step 3: Once you have the Woo Theme uploaded, click on the Appearance Tab, then the Themes link in the side navigation of your wordpress blog.

It will look something like this:

You’ll need to select “Activate” for the new theme to work.

Step 4: Time to make adjustments to the color of your theme.

Depending on the theme you purchased, there should be options on changing the Theme Stylesheet. Pick the color you’d like to use. (I’m using the Flash News for one blog and the Busy Bee for the Moller Marketing Blog)

Step 5: Open your site in a new window, test it out, and start making sales 🙂

If you have any questions, please submit them in the comment section or in this form…

I’ve got a Twitter Account…

I’m on Facebook…

I don’t really get StumbleUpon but I signed up…

Now What?

I get this social media question a lot and have attempted to give some StumbleUpon suggestions.

First I want to define what social media is according to Wikipedia:

Social media are primarily Internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings.

Here’s a better definition of social media marketing:

(SMM) is a form of internet marketing which seeks to achieve branding and marketing communication goals through the participation in various social media networks.

You can read the definitions, study the books, and have a small understanding about what social media marketing IS, but now you have to break the “newbie ice” and JUST DO IT!

Gary Vaynerchuk, one of my favorite keynote speakers, talks in this video about how to use social media marketing to it’s fullest:

Now go “shake a lot of hands”, build friendships, be “social”, and GET OUT OF THE SIXTH GRADE for crying out loud!

photo courtesy of Trevor Mauch

Are you interested in making money online?

What money making methods are you using to see positive cash flow with your new online business?

Are you using Craigslist.org as one of the online money making solutions?

Craigslist is arguably one of the fastest ways to make money online as you’re starting an online business.  Not only can it break the ice and help you actually gain confidence that online commerce is real, but it’s FREE (for the most part).

Happy Tuesday Eve! This Tuesday Tutorial is coming a day early per the request of a few clients who want to get listing right away on Craigslist.

Here are some things to be aware of as you get started selling items on Craigslist:

All craigslist postings are free, except for:

1. Job posts in the San Francisco Bay Area. The fee for posting a job in the SF Bay Area is $75. This fee pays for one job in one category. (One job posted in two different categories would cost $150.)

2. Job posts in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle, South Florida, and Washington DC. The fee for posting a job in these cities is $25. This fee pays for one job in one category. (One job posted in two different categories would cost $50.)

3. Brokered apartment rental listings in New York The fee for posting a brokered apartment rental in New York City is $10.

4. Erotic services posts on craigslist sites in the United States. The fee for posting ads in the erotic services category is $5.

Those $5 fees for #4 can really add up 🙂

There are limitations to what you can sell on Craigslist.  (you may want to review this before you attempt to sell your neighbors annoying dog)

A step by step guide to listing an item on Craigslist.org:

Step 1: Go to Craigslist.org.

Step 2: Select your state or country.

Step 3: Select the city that’s closest to where you live.

Sometimes, on this step, I may select a bigger city where more potential visitors will see my listing.  Just remember: test, test, test!

I may even list in a different surrounding area.  Just make sure you don’t list word for word the same content in two different areas – this is forbidden by Craigslist.  The main objective of Craigslist is to be a Local Classified Ad – so be careful when branching out.

Remember, the most effective way to sell on Craigslist is by being able to meet the potential buyer in person.

Step 4: Find the best category for your product.

One suggestion is to do a search for the type of product you plan to sell once you get to your state and city.   Keyword research will again come in handy here as you are trying to determine how to list your products.

Since we’re talking about selling products on Craigslist, you’ll probably want to focus on the “For Sale” section in the center of the page:

Step 5: Be aware of the potential scams.

Scams can and WILL happen on Craigslist if you don’t follow the advice they give you.

At the top of the category page, you’ll see warning links like these:

Make sure to read them over to avoid getting taken advantage of.  Here are the most important tips to avoid scams on Craigslist (in my opinion):

* DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON – follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.
* NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service – anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
* FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.
* CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer “buyer protection” or “seller certification”
* NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
* AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL “GUARANTEE” YOUR TRANSACTION.

Step 6:  Click Post in the top right corner of the screen.

Now that you’re at the appropriate category page, the Post option will be at the top right corner:

Step 7: Create a Craigslist User Account.

This isn’t a mandatory step but here’s why Craigslist recommends it:

What is my craigslist user account? Do I need one?

You can manage posts efficiently with a craigslist user account. The process of creating posts, editing and deleting them, and re-posting ads that have expired is much easier.

If you post frequently, or if you need to post paid ads, it makes sense to set up a user account.

Another question you might have:

How do I create a user account?
* Go to the account signup form.
* Enter your email address, type the five-letter verification word that appears on the screen, and click “create account”.
* We’ll send you an email with the instructions for completing the account setup process.

If you’re still reading this post, type a YES in the comments section below 🙂  If not, I need to shorten the Tutorials!

Step 8: Re-select your category and POST THE ITEM!

For time’s sake, I’m going to skip all the information about registering your account, getting the email, etc.  You’ll see a page that looks like this:

Select the best category and proceed!

Step 9: Fill out the appropriate information.

The listing page will look like this:

The main things to remember on this step are:

1. Use a “keyword rich” Post Title.
2. Post the price you’d like to sell the product for.
3. Add a detailed description, preferably using bullet points so it’s easy to read.
4. ADD IMAGES.  This is found right about the “Permissions” section where it says “Add/Edit Images”.  It will look like this when you click the button:

You have now listed your first item on Craigslist.org – Congratulations!

I’m excited to hear “Craiglist Success Stories!” 

Please post your Craigslist experience in the comments section below!

craigslist photo courtesy of www.nevblog.com

What’s a keyboard shortcut?

Do keyboard shortcuts really save time as I’m starting an online business?

How can they help me as I start making money online, or will they?

Good questions!

If you’re new to internet marketing and surfing around online, this Tuesday Tutorial is for you.  Before you read on, I recommend downloading Mozilla Firefox as your Internet Browser (the way you look for websites online).

Firefox has many tools, it’s open-source, and it is what the majority of online marketing specialists and business owners use as they begin making money online.

Now the tutorial:

Here are the most common keyboard shortcuts:

CTRL + C: Copy
CTRL + X: Cut
CTRL + V: Paste
CTRL + Z: Undo
CTRL + B: Bold
CTRL + U: Underline
CTRL+I: Italic

Now here’s how to use these shortcuts to speed things up:

Step 1: Highlight over the text or picture you want to move or change:

Here I’ve highlighted over “highlight over the text”.

Step 2: Hold down the CTRL button:

Here is where the CTRL button is on your keyboard:

Step 3: What do you want to do?

• If you want to Cut (move the text to a different place on the page) hold down the CTRL key and push X.
• To Paste the text after cutting, hold down the CTRL key and push V.
• If you want to Copy (duplicate the text and put it somewhere else) hold down the CTRL key and push C.
• If you want to Bold the text, hold down the CTRL key and push B.
• If you want to Underline the text, hold down the CTRL key and push U.
• If you want to Italicize the text, hold down the CTRL key and push I.
• If you make a mistake and want to Undo what you’ve just done, hold down the CTRL key and push Z.
• If you want to Copy all the text in a document, hold down the CTRL key and push A.
• If you want to Save a document (word document, excel document, etc.), hold down the CTRL key and push S.
• To open a new tab in the Firefox Browser, hold down the CTRL key and push T.  It will look like this:



The address bar will be blank:

The tab tool is a HUGE time saver, as you can open up multiple pages to do keyword research, find websites to do competitive analysis, and help you build links.

My recommendation now is to practice these tips as you move forward in building your online business.

What’s a Google Alert?

How can Google Alerts help me as I’m starting an online business?

Here’s an answer straight from the source:

Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.

Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:

• monitoring a developing news story
• keeping current on a competitor or industry
• getting the latest on a celebrity or event
• keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams

I’ve talked to clients a lot lately about duplicate content when writing articles and submitting them to article directories. One of the things I’ve learned is that, as long as you “get credit” for the content you write first, you can then re-publish that content in multiple sources online to help you build links and share your message.

How do I know when I ‘get credit’ for an article or content I put on my blog?

This is a question I hear again and again; it’s a valid one. For this reason, today in our Tuesday Tutorial, we’ll discuss how to set up Google Alerts for your online business.

How to Set Up Google Alerts for Your Online Business

Step 1: Go to Google.com 🙂

You’ll see this page (I would hope most of you have seen this page before):

At the top right corner of the screen, if you don’t have a Google Account or you aren’t logged in, Click Sign In.

Step 2: Login to your Google Account or Click Create an Account Now

Having a Google Account is a MUST!  If you haven’t noticed already as you start an online business, Google is the “Mother Ship”.  You name it, Google has a hand in it.

Some of the best things about having a Google account include:

• Gmail
• Google Analytics
• Google Maps & Google Local
• Google Reader
• YouTube (which is owned by Google)
• Google Calendar
• Google Docs

If you have to create an account, you’ll see this picture:

After filling out this information, or once you’ve logged in to your Google Account, go to the top left corner of the screen.

Click on more and a drop down menu will appear.  Select “even more” at the bottom of the drop down menu.

Step 3: Go to Google Alerts

You’ll now see this page. Select Alerts:

Step 4: Select Keyword Phrases as Alerts!

This box will be on the right hand side of the screen.

Keyword Research will come in handy once again.  In the Search terms box, type in one of your most important keyword phrases that you want to be ranked for at the top of Google.  I suggest you use quotation marks ”  ”  – this will limit all the combination of words that you’ll be sent otherwise.

Here’s an example – notice I typed in “making money online“:

You’ll also see:

• Type: Keep Type on the Comprehensive setting for now.
• How Often:  This is important: we talked earlier about “getting credit” for your content with Google.  Select “As it happens” from the How Often drop-down menu.  This way you will be notified by Google as soon as they find your new article (which will include good keyword repetition of the phrases you want to be found for, including the keyword phrase we’re setting as a Google Alert).



• Deliver to:  I suggest you have the Deliver to option set to your Google email address.

Once you’ve selected the different options, click Create Alert.  You’ll see this:

Step 5: Prepare for email alerts!

Email alerts will start coming to your gmail inbox almost immediately, especially if you are targeting competitive phrases.  The emails will look like this:

The best part is, when I click on the link in the email, I can see where the phrase “moller marketing” was found.  In this case, the link takes me right to my own blog post about my interview with ShoeMoney:

Not only can I watch for my own links, but I can track my competitors by seeing what type of content and keywords they are targeting.  Google Alerts helps us take “keyword research” and “competitive analysis” to a whole new level!

How has Google Alerts helped you as you are starting your online business?

Google spy image by somethingcreativeinc.com

Are you considering starting an online business?

Does making money on the internet catch your attention?

When you see infomercials on late-night TV, does your heart begin pounding with anticipation?

Do you know someone who is already running a successful online business?

WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK?

One of my favorite quotes about success is from Abraham Lincoln:

That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.

So why are you hem-hawing around about starting a business online?

Or even a more straightforward question,

Why are you dragging your feet with the decision you made to start an online business?

If you are always looking back and second guessing your decision,  you’re not going to be successful and need to keep working for someone else.

Many of the readers at Moller Marketing are in the process of starting their online business.  The information I share today will help you assess what you are doing, review the direction you are headed, and hopefully confirm why you chose the path you are currently on with your online business.

This information will also help people who are just getting started.  Brainstorming is one of the first steps all entrepreneurs take.  Asking yourself important questions will help open the doors of opportunity as you take necessary steps to online success!

7 Must-Ask Questions For Starting an Online Business

1: What makes me happy?

As you think about this question, OPEN YOUR MIND!  Avoid the “…that won’t make me any money” mindset or the “Oh, that market is already saturated with competitors online – I could never do that…”  BULL CRAP!  You can be successful in ANY ENDEAVOR if you love what you are doing and find a way to differentiate.  What are your hobbies, interests, skill sets, etc.?  Write all these down on a piece of paper and dig deep!

2: What do I find easy to do? or What am I good at?

You know, like num-chuck skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills… Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills. – Napoleon Dynamite

So what are YOUR “skills”?  One of the main reasons I started a clogging shoes website as my first online business was because I’d been in that industry since I was six years old.  I had “clogging skills” :).  Plus, I knew a lot of people in the industry.

Had I ever sold anything clogging related? No.  Did I know exactly where to find clogging shoe suppliers? No.  But I knew that, once I did find some of those answers, I would have some people I could contact to start making sales online.

Remember, you don’t have to re-invent the wheel and come up with something totally new and unique if you want to be successful online.  As Napoleon Dynamite told Pedro:

Pedro, just listen to your heart. That’s what I do. – Napoleon Dynamite

3: What sparks my creativity?

I read a quote from Donald Trump the other day in en eBook about industry specialization.  Donald said this:

…you better chose what you love or you will never work hard enough to be successful.

In every start up business, there will be road blocks, speed bumps, and things you have to work around.  If you don’t have any creativity for what you’re doing, those hurdles will probably hold you back.

4: What do I like to do for free in my spare time?

You might as well start making money doing something you already do in your spare time :).  One of the things I like to do in my “spare time” is eat at restaurants in Utah County.  So, I created a website that does reviews on Utah County restaurants. We monetize this website with sponsors, coupons, etc.

Creating an online business is as much about lifestyle as it is about just making money.

5: What do I like to talk about with friends or family?

Most likely, if you talk about a certain topic with friends and family, you have some knowledge in that arena.  Why not turn that knowledge in to something profitable?  There are e-books all over the internet that share knowledge and make money doing it!

6: What would I do if I knew I wouldn’t fail?

This question is all about mindset and self-motivation.  “If you think you can, or you think you can’t…you’re right!”  Failure isn’t an option.  Think more about how and when you are going to succeed.

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. – Henry David Thoreau

7: What would I regret not having ever tried?

My uncle-in-law recently started a business selling a video camera stand that attaches to your golf cart so you can record your golf swing.  Honestly, I don’t know how many of them he’s actually sold nor do I know what type of research he did before jumping in to the endeavor.  But the point is, who cares?  He’s doing something he would have regretted having never tried and most likely he will be successful because he’s determined and he loves what he’s doing.  Will the final product be what he initially envisioned?  Probably not.  But I know that most successful businesses, online and offline, are adaptable and adjust as their market changes.

How have these questions helped you determine what you are selling online!

Did the picture peak your curiosity?

Did the picture make you want to investigate more?

Would you have read a long essay post without the picture?

These are important questions to ask yourself as you start an online business.

Welcome to the Tuesday Tutorial!  Each week we aim to share something with our readers that will help them improve their chances of making money with an online business.

Five years ago, if a company didn’t have a website, they were leaving a lot of money on the table.  Now, if a company doesn’t have a blog in conjunction with their website, they are missing a big segment of their market share.

Why is blogging important? Not only does a blog encourage client interaction, but it also shows that a business is aware of their clients needs.  Blogs are also an integral part of search engine optimization and brand management.

One important part of blog success is images.  Images “spice up” an article, they add variety, and help capture the attention of blog readers.  Think about it, if a magazine didn’t have pictures in conjunction with it’s articles, would anyone EVER read the magazine?

Here’s a tutorial on how to add images to your wordpress blog:

Step 1: Login to your wordpress account

www.yourdomainname.com/wp-admin.  On the first page (known as the Dashboard) you’ll see this image:

If you are writing a Blog Post, click on “Write a New Post”.  Pages are fine to create too but for now let’s focus on one thing at a time :).

Step 2: Locate the Add Media Icon below the Title section

If you put your cursor on the small box, the phrase “Add an Image” will appear.  Click on that small box.

Step 3: Upload pictures from your computer.

This step can be a bit tricky depending on what brower (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) you are using and depending on your computer.  Here’s what the screen will look like:

If you are using a Mac, clicking on the “Choose files to upload” will work fine (proceed to Step 5).

If you click on the “Choose files to upload” icon but nothing happens, see Step 4.

Step 4: Click on the “Browser uploader” link

Here’s a screen shot of that section – found right below “Choose files to upload”:

After clicking on “Browser uploader” the top portion of the screen will change and look like this:

Click on Browse, find the picture(s) you want to upload, and click Upload.

(Unfortunately, I think you can only upload one picture at a time this way.  If the prior step works, I know you can select multiple pictures at a time by holding down CTRL while selecting the pictures.)

Here’s a big picture of what the page will look like:

Step 5: Make necessary adjustments

After uploading your first picture, the screen will look like this.

There are a few adjustments I recommend making:

1. Give your pictures a name. If you haven’t already named the image with a keyword phrase, adjust it here in the Title Box. Giving your images a keyword phrase title will help search engines “see” the picture.  Here’s an example:
   
2. Click NONE on the Link URL. This is just a personal preference: I don’t want people clicking on the image and it taking them to a new screen of just the image.
3. Select the Full Size button.  At the bottom of this picture you’ll see Size with buttons for Thumbnail, Medium, or Full Size.  Again, a personal preference but I recommend the Full Size.  If it is HUGE, you’ll need to make adjustments again 🙂

Step 6: Insert the Picture into your Blog Post

Click this button at the bottom of the screen and you’re done (sort of)

Coming soon – How to Align Images Correctly in WordPress

Stay Tune!

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