Steve Strauss on Getting Ahead in the E-Wolrd

I recently found this article by Steve Strauss about getting ahead in the world of Internet marketing. If this is your industry, whether you're a beginner or expert, I'm sure you are constantly looking for any edge to get ahead. This article mentions some valuable tools and has some great tips for the e-marketing industry.

To get ahead in this e-world: Create and market content
By Steve Strauss for USA TODAY

Creating content: I recently had a chance to speak with John Jantsch, one of the sharpest marketing guys around and creator of the Duct Tape Marketing system. According to John, the single best thing anyone can do to grow the online part of their business is to "commit to creating content regularly and putting it online." This should include, he suggests:

• Blog: "When people search, they will have a better chance of finding you if you have a blog."

• Have pictures of your products on your site, Flickr, etc.

• Search engine optimize your site with valuable content, including articles, e-newsletters, etc.

What do Major League Baseball, Jib Jab, Greenpeace, and Lufthansa all have in common? They use the easy, excellent service from www.Conduit.com to create their own custom toolbar that their customers can download and use to access their content. The Major League Baseball toolbar allows users to "access MLB.com features from anywhere on the web." Lufthansa uses their downloadable toolbar to give their customers "our best offers."

Today's Tip: The news that pitchman Billy Mays passed away suddenly and unexpectedly was sad. Want to learn how to sell better? Watch some of his infomercials. Billy showed you what your need was (whether you knew it or not!) and how his product could solve the problem. It was all about helping (and selling.) He will be missed.

Winner's Guide to Life by Pete

Pete recently posted this article on MoneyRemix.com that I thought was worth sharing.

Here are some highlights:

The Winner's Guide To The Game Of Life!
By Pete on June 16, 2009 in Life & Health

Before birth, each and every one of us signed up for a rough and tumble,
awesome game called “Life”, and there’s only one way out: death! Now, how are
you going to play? What strategies are you going to bring to the table?

Is it really true that everything happens for a reason? That no matter
whatever crappy things happens, something valuable will come out of it, which
will be exactly what you needed at that point in your life?

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were
just meant to be there … maybe this is one of those situations, my friend! Good
Luck to you, Mr. or Mrs. Future Success Story!

Five Goals of Investing

I recently stumbled accross this article about the five goals of investing and thought it provided some decent insight into why we save invest.

The article lists such goals as:

Retirement

Wealth Creation

Security

Fun

Freedom

The goal that I see as the most important here is "Freedom". Of course the old saying is true that money can not buy happiness, but it certainly can allow you the freedom to seek it.

The Five Goals of Investing was comes from The Online Investing AI Blog and was written by Matt on June 16th 2009.

Understanding Credit Cards - Advantages, Disadvantages, and How to Avoid Debt

Using a credit card certainly offers convenience and perks - it is a lot easier to purchase goods and services, you can build your credit, and many companies offer benefits such as discounts for using a credit card. Like everything, using a credit card has its disadvantages, and if not used wisely, a credit card can create financial chaos. By reading the fine print, using a credit card for necessary purchases only, and paying off your balance each month, you can avoid credit card debt and live more financially free.

The explicit purpose of a credit card is to allow people to purchase goods and services with the card holder's promise to pay for the goods and services back at a later date. Cards are convenient to use when you do not have any cash on you and need to make a payment, though they also come in handy whenever a financial emergency arises, as they allow you to make an immediate payment without having to come up with money that you may not have. The downside of the convenience of credit cards is that too many people live for the moment and overcharge ("max out") their cards, getting themselves into trouble and spiraling down the road of debt and misfortune.

It is very important that you understand the different facets of acquiring credit and using credit cards so that you can manage your credit situation better. Everybody has a credit history; if you own a credit card, or financed a car or a mortgage, you have a credit history - if you have paid your creditors on time or in advance, you'll have good credit; the opposite is true if you have had trouble paying your bills on time. The fact is, bad credit can get you turned down for loans, financing for a car, or even a job. Having a good credit score is important as it affords you the financial security to acquire needed goods and services without hassle.

As stated previously, there are upsides and downsides to using credit cards. Keep the following pros and cons in mind before reaching for that credit card:

Pros:
A credit card can be used to purchase anything - practically all establishments worldwide accept them, and they can be used in place of money you may not have or for an unexpected expense that requires immediate (and usually, large) payment. Repayment is usually staggered, as credit card companies allow customers to carry a balance and not have to repay their credit card debt all at once. Lastly, they also offer people the opportunity to build their credit, and if a credit card is used wisely and payments are timely, a good credit history has positive implications on employment, loans, and mortgages.

Cons:
If not used wisely, credit card debt can really make your finances tailspin and put you into a cycle of debt and despair. The staggered repayment system that companies have in place plays tricks on peoples' minds, and people tend to get in over their heads and spend a lot more than they should. Consumers need to understand that this money needs to be paid back at some point; even if debt is repaid little by little, companies will charge you interest on what you don't pay off, and in many cases, the interest rate is pretty high. This is how credit card companies make their money, and in light of the recent crisis surrounding the industry, it is now more important than ever to keep these things in mind before pulling that card out of your wallet or signing that application. Also, keep in mind that unless you apply for a bad credit loan, having bad credit can prevent you from getting approved for a traditional loan, such as financing for a car or a mortgage.

So while credit cards can certainly make life a little easier for many people, if they are not used correctly, they could create a sizable financial burden. Remember to read over all terms and conditions carefully before agreeing to take on a credit card. Credit card companies like to play around with interest rates, and use all sorts of marketing tools to lure in new customers, such as variable and introductory rates. "Introductory rate" credit cards should be avoided, since they offer low rates initially before eventually skyrocketing. Variable interest rate credit cards tend to be more agreeable, though interest could be as low as 3% and then fluctuate higher and higher. It's always best to go with a credit card that offers a fixed interest rate, that way you know you're not paying more interest than you need to.

With that all said, keep the following things in mind before making that next purchase with your card:

• Never "max out" your credit card. Follow a budget, and exercise restraint. It will help in the long-run.
• Keep tabs of all your purchases, and save receipts. This will help you realize whether or not you are spending too much.
• Pay off your balance at the end of each month, that way you do not start accruing interest. Help yourself, not the credit card companies. While this may not be possible, if you use credit cards for vital purchases ONLY, this is certainly attainable.
• Your credit stays with you wherever you go; every financial decision you make is recorded in your credit history file. Don't risk a job or an important loan for an expensive item you don't need and can't afford - use credit cards wisely and choose a card that offers sensible terms and conditions.

The Motley Fool on Buffett's Losses and Buying Stocks

Apparently the Motley Fool enjoys writing about Warren Buffett as much as I. Every time I check my blog reader I see at least one or two articles with Buffett's name in the title. Here is an article that was posted this morning about Buffett's stock buying strategy and his current losses at Berkshire Hathaway.

This Is Why Buffett's Buying Stocks
By Morgan Housel June 9, 2009

You think you've had a bad year? Poor Warren Buffett has seen more than $25
billion evaporate from his net worth in the past year, as Berkshire Hathaway
(NYSE: BRK-A)
followed the market's nosedive.

Yes, stocks are scary right now. Yes, there will be boom times and bust
times -- and the busts are no fun, even when we're resigned to their presence.
But if you want your money to earn you adequate post-inflation returns over the
long haul, cash isn't going to get you there. Never has. Never will.

None of this is to say we've reached a market bottom. Historical
earnings multiples, for example, suggest that more pain could be in store
for investors. Some periods of market lethargy have indeed lasted for longer
than 10 years, too.

8 Warren Buffet Money Secrets

It's no secret that I like Warren Buffet and what he's accomplished in his life. Here is another article about him and some of his money secrets...

8 Money Secrets From Warren Buffet

It's from the site 4EvaYoung.com.

Here is the list, but please click on the link to the source and see the extended version with Mr. Buffet's comments:

1. Rich Is A State Of Mind
2. Success Is More Than About Your Bank Balance
3. Spend Less Than You Earn
4. Avoid Consumer Debt
5. You Are Who You Associate With
6. Gambling Is A Fools Game
7. Give Back To The Community
8. Generosity and Abundance Goes Hand In Hand