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Clearly doing something wrong - need honest feedback

by organofaith
22 replies
Hello all,

I am new to posting but have spent countless hours and weeks reading the various posts and offers here on WF. Firstly, I am in awe of, and have tremendous respect for, all of you! You are all my new heroes and heroines.

I posted here because I need honest feedback. I am sincerely interested in pursuing internet marketing but feel like I'm missing critically key pieces. I started my venture attempting to blog about a MLM that a family member got me into a year ago and now I've come to feel it is a glorified pyramid program with weighted focus and attention given to recruiting and not products. I earnestly believed in the product possibilities and decided to blog about my experience as a new distributor until it hit home that I was pouring out far more financial resources than was incoming. Product was being pushed on the distributors more than the public. I thought it was different than a lot of the others, but in the end, it wasn't. I'm not willing to 'pitch' and 'sell' at any cost just to recruit and not give a rat's patooty who loses their shirts.

All was not completely lost in that I parlayed the idea of working completely for myself (as opposed to being a consultant for an offline business which is how I paid for the MLM) to an online retail niche I was far more familiar with and passionate about. That way, since I'd stopped writing about the MLM experience, I didn't have to abandon the hard work, blog writings and page rankings I'd started building. To answer the unasked question, I felt I couldn't write a negative final chapter to the MLM blog journey as I didn't want to create a contentious relationship with the family member who is still VERY actively involved in the MLM nor did I want to trash the hard work and research I'd done for my posts.

Here is my dilemma: I want to pursue this path of business - internet marketing, however I feel like if I can't convert sales to my online site with the content I have generated and the consistent traffic that continues to grow, how can I succeed here? And at this point, my resources are more scarce than before the MLM purse drain, so I'm a terribly frustrated. Granted, I segued the business and blogs to support online retail about a month and a half ago, but I haven't made a single conversion. In person, I can sell the product just fine (I had a niche physical audience, but the costs associated with travel and vendor fees plus keeping up with product auto-ship proved too draining on my already limited resources).

I'm a good writer... at least so I've been told. Working diligently, consistently, and long-term is not an issue. Case in point, I have to get my daughter to school and be in the office in 2 hours, so determination and perseverance are certainly not lacking.

I would sincerely appreciate people giving me genuine, truthful, not bitterly sarcastic, feedback on what I am missing, or what I can do with the material I already have.

I'm not posting my blog and online store here as I do not wish to violate any member terms and conditions. Please PM or email me if you're interested in extending a helping hand and some old fashioned guidance.

I'm not interested in fast cash. I never was. I am interested in building a steady stream of income while doing what I enjoy - informing and helping people. I dream big, but appreciate all. I am grateful for any assistance anyone is willing to take the time to offer.

With Advanced Gratitude,

Faith

I apologize if this has been asked before.
#feedback #honest #how to promote #what to do #wrong
  • Profile picture of the author organofaith
    I just realized I have my info in my signature. Is this okay, or not? If not, I will remove.

    Thank you again.

    Faith
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  • Profile picture of the author Micah Medina
    Your signature is fine. I'll let other people tackle your issue though - I saw the phrase "MLM" and I went crosseyed like Austin Powers discussing time travel.
    Signature


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    • Profile picture of the author organofaith
      Originally Posted by Micah Medina View Post

      Your signature is fine. I'll let other people tackle your issue though - I saw the phrase "MLM" and I went crosseyed like Austin Powers discussing time travel.
      Hi Michah,

      Thank you for the timely feedback. MLM is not my actual dilemma or topic however, thankfully.

      Faith
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    • Profile picture of the author Scott Henderson
      Hi and welcome Faith, quite the first post you have there. I'll jump in here and make a few comments. First I am assuming that the 2 links in your signature are the sites in question even though your post says they are not included. So if I 'm wrong excuse me.

      Next your big dilemma as you know very well is a complete lack of conversions. You say you are getting traffic and it is growing, that's great.

      Looking at the sales site, I don't see any call to action. That is where you need to focus your attention on. The site to be as kind as I can "needs help".

      Free shipping is not going to excite me although you can use it, not just as your main lead in. A few things come to mind:

      1. I should know exactly what you are selling in 3-5 seconds. I don't see that here although I assume that it's organic.
      2. Images help, smiling happy faces depicting a healthy lifestyle. Healthy foods etc...
      3. Testimonies, facts, help.
      4. Grab the book by Dan Kennedy " The Ultimate Sales Letter", helped me a ton.
      5. Take advantage of what Vin Montello is offering for free at his Marketing Clambakes every Thursday PM. He is a mega copywriter and will review your site for free during the session if you just let him know about it.
      These are just a few things that come to mind at first. Hopefully you will get a bunch more from other contributions.

      Best of luck
      Signature
      Broke | UnEmployed | To Living the Good Life Today - FREE GUIDE REVEALS What Started My IM Journey >>START YOURS TODAY<<

      Also Visit Me At My Internet Marketing Blog, Scott Henderson's Marketing Secret's
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      • Profile picture of the author organofaith
        Originally Posted by Scott Henderson View Post

        Hi and welcome Faith, quite the first post you have there. I'll jump in here and make a few comments. First I am assuming that the 2 links in your signature are the sites in question even though your post says they are not included. So if I 'm wrong excuse me.

        Hi Scott, Than you for the welcome and the feedback. I knew I was asking the right group of people. If you stop flailing long enough, you can float long enough to see the help that's offered. I decided to stop doing my Stevie Wonder impression and ask for legitimate guidance so I stop spinning in place.

        About the links, yes, they are in my sig. Didn't recall that I'd setup that up already when I signed up not long ago. Sometimes too speedy for my own good.

        Next your big dilemma as you know very well is a complete lack of conversions. You say you are getting traffic and it is growing, that's great.

        Looking at the sales site, I don't see any call to action. That is where you need to focus your attention on. The site to be as kind as I can "needs help".

        My question here would be what type of call to action could I implement without coming across 'pitchy'? Or is that something I need to remove from my thinking? I tend to use logic rather than marketing logic every time I update my sales site and blog.

        Free shipping is not going to excite me although you can use it, not just as your main lead in. A few things come to mind:

        All ears/eyes.

        1. I should know exactly what you are selling in 3-5 seconds. I don't see that here although I assume that it's organic.
          A friend brought that to my attention which is why I changed the default page from Feautured/New Products to the Welcome Page. That was my attempt to clarify. Obviously sorely failed there.
        2. Images help, smiling happy faces depicting a healthy lifestyle. Healthy foods etc...
          I have a nice happy people pic on my "Why OrganoFaith" tab. After looking at it just now, perhaps that one could be the 'sales copy' page?
        3. Testimonies, facts, help.
          Agreed! I just can't seem to jumpstart people into leaving them. People are lazy! I didn't know if it was breaching to paraphrase feedback I've verbally received at put it there. Also, don't know where to put the testimonials. Should I remove the 'Welcome' and put tab for testimonies?
        4. Grab the book by Dan Kennedy " The Ultimate Sales Letter", helped me a ton.
          I'm taking notes and adding to my required acquisition list
        5. Take advantage of what Vin Montello is offering for free at his [/marketingclambake.com/"]Marketing Clambakes] every Thursday PM. He is a mega copywriter and will review your site for free during the session if you just let him know about it.
          Wow, looks very exciting and a tad overwhelming. I'm a sponge for feedback so I'm ready. Do you know if his clambake is 8pm EST/PST? I detected an east coast accent.
        These are just a few things that come to mind at first. Hopefully you will get a bunch more from other contributions.

        Best of luck
        Thank you! I've decided to make a note book with all suggestions, then summarize that I've correctly understood the recommendations and critiques.... then attack my sites. I really appreciate everyone's feedback. I know your time is valuable and I want you to know it is not wasted.
        Faith
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        • Profile picture of the author Scott Henderson
          Originally Posted by organofaith View Post

          My question here would be what type of call to action could I implement without coming across 'pitchy'? Or is that something I need to remove from my thinking? I tend to use logic rather than marketing logic every time I update my sales site and blog.
          Several ways to do this, two of the best are;

          Think benefits. What are the biggest benefits that you can come up with in this niche. Pick one or two of the most appealing ones and sum them up in 1 short sentence less than 10 words (or close to that if possible).

          Give something away for free. You like to write, create a short cookbook something like "10 recipes that will---------(the benefit)". Or a short report. Announce them big and bold up top. Obviously this would tie into your opt in form and auto-responder sequence.

          On that note you want to build your list and continually give them free content. Say you send out 2 emails a week to your list, send 2 this week with free content (a report, recipes, etc), do the same for the first one next week, do not pitch in these emails. In the third pitch them something, then repeat. Become friends with your list.

          Originally Posted by organofaith View Post

          Agreed! I just can't seem to jumpstart people into leaving them. People are lazy! I didn't know if it was breaching to paraphrase feedback I've verbally received at put it there. Also, don't know where to put the testimonials. Should I remove the 'Welcome' and put tab for testimonies?
          Ask for them. Now since you have yet to get a sale lets go the route of giving something away for free, like the cookbook. Reach out to your list after you have given several of them away and ask for some feedback, may have to bribe them with something for them to take the effort, but you will get some good feedback if you provided good content.

          Place a few of them in a box (not the whole testimony, just a snippet" above the fold.

          Originally Posted by organofaith View Post

          Wow, looks very exciting and a tad overwhelming. I'm a sponge for feedback so I'm ready. Do you know if his clambake is 8pm EST/PST? I detected an east coast accent.
          Yes it is 8PM EST. You need to be on these, it is not a pitch fest, nothing is being sold at all, 110% pure help.

          Scott

          PS, on an editorial note it is best not to reply and ask questions inside the quoted threads as it makes it a chore to provide your question and answer as I did above. Better readability of the thread if you just respond and ask questions outside of the quotes you are responding to.
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          Broke | UnEmployed | To Living the Good Life Today - FREE GUIDE REVEALS What Started My IM Journey >>START YOURS TODAY<<

          Also Visit Me At My Internet Marketing Blog, Scott Henderson's Marketing Secret's
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    • Profile picture of the author Sebastian Batiste
      Originally Posted by Micah Medina View Post

      I saw the phrase "MLM" and I went crosseyed like Austin Powers discussing time travel.
      LOL (I actually laughed out loud)
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  • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
    After taking a quick look at your website I see one thing that sticks out to me quite a bit. The text is tiny in some points, hard to read, and really is not sales copy. The copy is not bad, but it is hard to read. The blocks of text are huge compared to what I would recommend.

    Remember you only have about 10 seconds to capture the attention of your visitor and keep them interesting. I would take a look at the format of some of the sales copy on other sites with similar products to get an idea of what good sales copy looks like.

    If you are not getting conversions it is the content and format. This is something you need to have a few versions of to test. Your homepage links directly back to itself at the bottom and this is the only link/promotion within the content at all.

    It took me a couple of minutes to even find your products and the only reason I kept looking was to give you advice here. Also, the product descriptions are way too short. You are asking someone to spend $50 with you for a product and you only give them a few words about the actual product.

    The description should give them everything they need to know about the product. Using bullet points for benefits, side effects, positives, negatives, ingredients, etc. can help make it look better for those interested.

    If you are getting traffic, but it is not converting it is most likely in the copy you have on your site, but it could also be that you are getting the wrong kind of traffic. You might be getting traffic that is simply not looking for what you have to sell or is not ready to buy.

    Hope this helps some.

    Benjamin Ehinger
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    • Profile picture of the author organofaith
      Originally Posted by Benjamin Ehinger View Post

      After taking a quick look at your website I see one thing that sticks out to me quite a bit. The text is tiny in some points, hard to read, and really is not sales copy. The copy is not bad, but it is hard to read. The blocks of text are huge compared to what I would recommend.

      HI Benjamin, thank you for taking the time to review. I really appreciate it. I will certainly try to tweak the text. I ran into a hiccup and got stuck and left it until I could better figure it out. Clearly, that has become urgent since it is becoming a turn off.


      Remember you only have about 10 seconds to capture the attention of your visitor and keep them interesting. I would take a look at the format of some of the sales copy on other sites with similar products to get an idea of what good sales copy looks like.

      Ok, I will scout around for similar sites. I have found that quite a number of sites either go the blog retail path or strictly e commerce way. How do you think I could bring that gap or should I? Would it be better to scrap the blog or turn it into something else entirely?

      If you are not getting conversions it is the content and format. This is something you need to have a few versions of to test. Your homepage links directly back to itself at the bottom and this is the only link/promotion within the content at all.

      Oh, I will edit that link today. Do you have content and/or format change recommendations. I see now I'm going to have some sleepless nights. :-)

      It took me a couple of minutes to even find your products and the only reason I kept looking was to give you advice here. Also, the product descriptions are way too short. You are asking someone to spend $50 with you for a product and you only give them a few words about the actual product.

      Hmm, I put the Store in my main headers. Is this not good location? You must have viewed one particular vendor that supplied the oversimplified product description. I've been painfully going through each product and manually adding more info for that very reason. Bittersweet to confirm my feeling about the impact of it was correct. The other 'brands' descriptions should be more detailed and elucidating. Won't hurt to double check.

      The description should give them everything they need to know about the product. Using bullet points for benefits, side effects, positives, negatives, ingredients, etc. can help make it look better for those interested.

      Yes, definitely, agreed.

      If you are getting traffic, but it is not converting it is most likely in the copy you have on your site, but it could also be that you are getting the wrong kind of traffic. You might be getting traffic that is simply not looking for what you have to sell or is not ready to buy.

      Indeed, it must be one, the other, or both. I didn't submit my Store site to a buying guide blogger who is working on a twist for gift giving and was interested in featuring my store. I clearly have a lot of work to do to ensure it isn't a bust for them and me.

      Hope this helps some.

      Benjamin Ehinger
      It does indeed. Thank you kindly for taking the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lethologica
    The blog has a ton of code and misplaced words all over it. EG at the very top of the page is :

    Code:
    _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);     _gaq.push(['_trackPageLoadTime']);      (function() {         var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;         ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';         var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);     })();
    The blog description runs into the search box.
    The copyright at the bottom isn't properly in the box.
    I had to manually zoom in the site by holding ctrl + mousewheel in order to get the font to be readable. For some reason it's all scrunched up and renders horribly.
    I'd also put the newsletter submit at the top of the side bar, not the bottom.

    I'd look into a completley new design because, to be honest, this one is ugly.

    Just my 2c from a design perspective.
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    • Profile picture of the author organofaith
      Originally Posted by Lethologica View Post

      The blog has a ton of code and misplaced words all over it. EG at the very top of the page is :
      [code had to be erased here for me to reply]

      The blog description runs into the search box.
      The copyright at the bottom isn't properly in the box.
      I had to manually zoom in the site by holding ctrl + mousewheel in order to get the font to be readable. For some reason it's all scrunched up and renders horribly.
      I'd also put the newsletter submit at the top of the side bar, not the bottom.

      I'd look into a completley new design because, to be honest, this one is ugly.

      Just my 2c from a design perspective.
      Hi Lethologica, Yes, I saw the odd code placement and frankly, I don't how to get rid of or remedy it. At first I thought it was strictly in the admin view and then I realized it was public. Alas, I still am at a loss as I don't want to do anything to screw everything up.

      Great idea putting the newsletter on top. That IS something I believe I have the know how to edit.

      I actually was looking at some of the other templates and when I attempted to preview them, the page looked worse. It's not the best looking template, but it was the only one that seemed to accommodate me (not to mention, one of the few to not completely make me feel like a fool trying to manage. If you have free or economical suggestions, I'm certainly ALL ears/eyes.
      Faith       -- sorry, having to remove the URL tags to get reply posted
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  • Profile picture of the author Sebastian Batiste
    You need to think what is the most wanted response you want from your visitor then make it clear what you want people do and direct them clearly to that. So if you want people to optin, so you can market to them later, you need to give a clear offer e.g free sample or 50% off it needs to be tempting because newsletters are not getting the optins at the same rates they used to, the optin box should also be moved to the right to improve optin rates.
    If you are trying to get sales the main product you are trying to sell should be featured on page with plenty of easy to digest information on that product and then a clear, maybe time sensitive call to action to get people to act immediately.
    Maybe you could also try promoting some information product on the site that solves some problem related to your physical product targeted to the traffic you already have.
    This would be cheap to produce and could generate some instant sales off your existing traffic
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    • Profile picture of the author organofaith
      Originally Posted by Awesome1 View Post

      You need to think what is the most wanted response you want from your visitor then make it clear what you want people do and direct them clearly to that. So if you want people to optin, so you can market to them later, you need to give a clear offer e.g free sample or 50% off it needs to be tempting because newsletters are not getting the optins at the same rates they used to, the optin box should also be moved to the right to improve optin rates.
      Great point, in addition to Letho, I will offer free sample for opt in. This kills two birds - opt in and getting rid of product that cannot be sold (open box)
      If you are trying to get sales the main product you are trying to sell should be featured on page with plenty of easy to digest information on that product and then a clear, maybe time sensitive call to action to get people to act immediately.
      I know this will sound elementary to you experienced pro, but what kind of sensitive call to action do you think would be appropriate here? I don't have a 'main' product so much as a 'main theme' - organic and eco friendly. Should I pull a product and feature one everyday or couple of days. I can do my homework here so if you need to point in a direction, I will certainly do due diligence.
      Maybe you could also try promoting some information product on the site that solves some problem related to your physical product targeted to the traffic you already have.
      Informational product? For example? When I say I'm green to this, it really isn't about my products. I'm a quick study though when armed with good information.
      This would be cheap to produce and could generate some instant sales off your existing traffic
      This would be AWESOME if I could pull it off!

      Once again, I am indebteded to the kindness you all are extending to me. Thank you.
      Faith
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  • Profile picture of the author organofaith
    I need to get an hour of shut eye. Please continue your comments. I'll be checking back after work before child pick up around 1pm. So VERY grateful for the feedback. It was to be expected - flying blind. Accounting and marketing sooooo not the same food group :-/
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    • Profile picture of the author DianaHeuser
      Originally Posted by organofaith View Post

      IAccounting and marketing sooooo not the same food group :-/
      I had to laugh when I saw that comment. I cannot tell you how much I related to that!

      You are on the right track Faith and I admire your honesty and persistence.

      Di
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      • Profile picture of the author organofaith
        Originally Posted by DianaHeuser View Post

        I had to laugh when I saw that comment. I cannot tell you how much I related to that!

        You are on the right track Faith and I admire your honesty and persistence.

        Di
        Thank you Diana! I can't tell you enough how much like a fish out of water I feel. In my head, it all looked so right.... now I'm being slapped with the backhand of reality.

        One thing I will NOT do and that is quit. I'm determined enough, or stubborn enough to see this through and make these principles as second nature as double entry theory!

        Thank you so much for the support and encouragement. I know it is a bit of a winding road, but with everyone's help I'm up for the charge.
        Faith
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  • Profile picture of the author Fun to Write
    Faith

    I've been down that MLM road and will never return to it again, so I can totally relate to your eye-awakening disillusionment.

    Anyway, I moseyed on over to your About page and saw that you stated that your favorite hobby and passions are dancing and baking. Plus, you seem like a devoted mom to your cutie pie daughter.

    Instead of forcing yourself to "sell" overpriced MLM products and worrying about hurting your family member's feelings, switch thinking modes and focus on what's best for you and your daughter in the long term. It ain't that blog or those products.

    I do think you have the writing talent to blog about what interests you while throwing your own personal life experiences in the mix. Out of your two passions, the cooking/food niche has the most moneymaking potential online.

    I know that two of our Warrior Members - Ron Douglas and Willie Crawford have made fortunes from selling unique cookbooks and promoting then on blogs, newsletters and even TV.

    So, my advice to you is to sit down and really think about what you are willing to devote the most time, effort and investment money towards achieving your online business goals. IM takes lots of time, commitment, persistence and sheer focus to succeed.

    You've got to let go of things that are not working for you and start doing something that moves you in the right direction.
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    • Profile picture of the author organofaith
      Originally Posted by Fun to Write View Post

      Faith

      I've been down that MLM road and will never return to it again, so I can totally relate to your eye-awakening disillusionment.

      Disillusionment indeed. I'm not anti MLM. However, I am now convinced it is not for me - certainly not if it involved recruiting at any costs. Once it turns into repetitive hype sessions, recruiting over product, and selling to your distributors over the general public, there's a flaw with the design.

      Anyway, I moseyed on over to your About page and saw that you stated that your favorite hobby and passions are dancing and baking. Plus, you seem like a devoted mom to your cutie pie daughter.
      Thank you. Yes, I left a full-time position to work part-time so that I could be a committed and actively involved parent. It certainly has it's challenges, but the reward of knowing I'm there for my daughter has outweighed any $ in exchange for time away could afford. She is definitely my inspiration. I want more for her than I had and unfortunately that won't come working my one on-site part time consulting job. That's what got me peaked about the MLM. It seemed legit and a good product that fit within my pre-existing health and wellness lifestyle.

      Instead of forcing yourself to "sell" overpriced MLM products and worrying about hurting your family member's feelings, switch thinking modes and focus on what's best for you and your daughter in the long term. It ain't that blog or those products.

      Getting away from 'pitching' recruits is what sparked me to expand my horizon and attempt my hand at online retail sales in an area that I'm very comfortable with - herbal remedies, organic and eco friendly living. Contrary to it's horrid design, I really enjoy writing about what I do. I would like to maintain it, if possible, plus add too. I'm not beyond getting 3-4 hours a sleep a night to build a solid foundation for our future.

      I do think you have the writing talent to blog about what interests you while throwing your own personal life experiences in the mix. Out of your two passions, the cooking/food niche has the most moneymaking potential online.

      Wow, I hadn't thought about writing about my culinary delights... Truth be told, I'm a far better dessert baker than regular cook. My neighbors are constantly on the lookout for our next bake day. My repertoire is not very extensive though but I'm always up for experimenting.


      I know that two of our Warrior Members - Ron Douglas and Willie Crawford have made fortunes from selling unique cookbooks and promoting then on blogs, newsletters and even TV.

      If I have writing, baking talents they could use, I'd love to write for them.

      So, my advice to you is to sit down and really think about what you are willing to devote the most time, effort and investment money towards achieving your online business goals. IM takes lots of time, commitment, persistence and sheer focus to succeed.

      Frankly, that's all I've been doing lately, thinking about EVERYTHING I am willing to devote time, effort, and what little capital resources I have to. I would write about paint peeling if I had the proper tools that translated into building a proper long-term viable base.

      You've got to let go of things that are not working for you and start doing something that moves you in the right direction.
      Oh, Fun To Write, this is exactly why I'm here! I had to swallow the harsh fact that I'd bought into the 'system' and it drained me more than helped me despite the COUNTLESS time, energy, resources, and money I invested. I'm beyond ready to let go! I'm ready to begin anew... this time for something real and far longer lasting.
      Faith
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Faith, even if you do have a feel and passion for the organic/eco-friendly lifestyle, this may not be the product line for you. Unless you actually use and can recommend them, you might want to search for something you can.

        For that matter, you may be able to blend your interest in organic products with your passion for baking. Desserts/sweets are a hot subject right now, with several shows on the Food Network and Cooking Channel devoted to sweets.

        Since you like to bake and you can obviously write, you could look at a blog/commerce combo. Use products to bake and write about your experiences - with appropriate affiliate links, of course.

        As for wanting to preserve the traffic you have coming in, it depends on what they are actually looking for. If they're interested in the MLM, rather than the products, all they are is bandwidth. Kind of like selling burgers at a vegan picnic.

        You've built an audience once, and you can do it again, should your new direction take you away from your current output...

        It's not time to pitch the bathwater yet, just want you to be open to the possibility.
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        • Profile picture of the author organofaith
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          Faith, even if you do have a feel and passion for the organic/eco-friendly lifestyle, this may not be the product line for you. Unless you actually use and can recommend them, you might want to search for something you can.

          Hi John,

          We are a HUGE eco-friendly family and natural/organic consumer. I can't remember the last time I took any type of OTC as remedy for any ailment, nor my daughter. I'm also raising her to be mindful this way too. When she's not feeling well, she asks mommy for her vitamin or potion mix.... makes me sound like some kind of potionologist (I know, not a real word, but it was fun) but it's just the way of living I believe in.

          For that matter, you may be able to blend your interest in organic products with your passion for baking. Desserts/sweets are a hot subject right now, with several shows on the Food Network and Cooking Channel devoted to sweets.

          Can't really say I've thought organic and dessert in the same genre, though I know there are some organic chocolates out there. I make a killer lemon bars tray treat; swanky delicious mocha choc chip cookies with a twist, strawberry shortcake that melts in your mouth. For some desserts I was able to use Xylitol (more natural based sugar safe for diabetic consumption, but alas it does not play well with the oven for baking.

          Since there is the Food Network and Cooking Channel, how exactly could I fit in? Seems there are web is saturated with dessert and recipe sites. I know I need to think outside the box... I'm having trouble with an angle I could attack.

          Since you like to bake and you can obviously write, you could look at a blog/commerce combo. Use products to bake and write about your experiences - with appropriate affiliate links, of course.

          Hmm, you mean like using Bob's Red Mill Aluminum free baking soda vs common used Arm and Hammer for baking? Something along those lines? I'm trying to take myself out of the corner I've managed to paint myself into and branch out with the great ideas you're presenting. Sometimes, an older cow needs a little leading before she has her AHA moment.

          As for wanting to preserve the traffic you have coming in, it depends on what they are actually looking for. If they're interested in the MLM, rather than the products, all they are is bandwidth. Kind of like selling burgers at a vegan picnic.

          Good point. I replied to Fun before that in reviewing my analytics, it appears prior to infusing retail market for organic and eco-friendly niche, most of my traffic was for the MLM, primarily to copy my data I believe. Now, I'm starting to rank organically, for organinc and eco friendly product searches, so because of that shift alone, I'm a bit reticent, or maybe just stuck on preserving my current domain.
          You've built an audience once, and you can do it again, should your new direction take you away from your current output...

          It's not time to pitch the bathwater yet, just want you to be open to the possibility.
          I'm make myself open if it strangles me.:rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author Fun to Write
    Okay, it's good to know that you enjoy writing about health, nutrition and herbal remedies. Let me make another suggestion...

    Continue to write a little for your current blog, however, set up a new blog that has a niche theme of natural remedies. Sign up for affiliate accounts at Amazon.com, Clickbank and other third party sites where you can earn a commission for promoting physical and digital information products. There's a lot of information on this site about how to do that.

    Spend most of your online time writing articles and product reviews for your new site. This gives you the best of both worlds. You can continue with the old site, but your new site is not attached to bad code or those other products at all.

    Learn how to use keywords and place them into your articles so that you can draw organic traffic faster. I have done product reviews in the health niche and know that they do convert. However, you need to write in a way that builds trust among readers. No blatant sales pitches. You can discuss a specific ailment and give suggestions for natural remedies (include your affiliate links so they can take a look at the product and buy if they desire).

    I'm suggesting this method, because I don't think it's working trying to update a blog that heavily focuses on MLM products with other non-MLM products.

    Hope this helps
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    Focus+Smart Work+Persistence=Success

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    • Profile picture of the author organofaith
      Originally Posted by Fun to Write View Post

      Okay, it's good to know that you enjoy writing about health, nutrition and herbal remedies. Let me make another suggestion...

      Continue to write a little for your current blog, however, set up a new blog that has a niche theme of natural remedies. Sign up for affiliate accounts at Amazon.com, Clickbank and other third party sites where you can earn a commission for promoting physical and digital information products. There's a lot of information on this site about how to do that.

      Okay, this may be a rudimentary question, but here goes, at present I'm not in position to purchase multiple domains. I currently own 5 domains through godaddy, but only actively using one; one I used to use but abandoned because I had just had my daughter and procured a steady consulting gig; 2 I haven't touched - had ideas for them but never went anywhere but didn't want to let go of the domains (no, nothing catchy, unfortunately), and one i suppose could have something done with it due to its name, not sure. Anyway, my long winded question is this. The active domain I use, I host with HostGator and can get unlimited subdomains with my membership. Does this make sense to do when trying to setup a new blog, or is it too confusing? Should I point one of the other non used domains to my hostgator account and use that to start new blog even though domain name won't be keyword?

      Because I'm in California, I don't believe I get to be affiliate with Amazon anymore. Read something earlier this year about CA affiliates getting the shaft by CA with Amazon so they had to drop us. I'm totally unfamiliar with ClickBank, so I'll have to do some homework there.

      Spend most of your online time writing articles and product reviews for your new site. This gives you the best of both worlds. You can continue with the old site, but your new site is not attached to bad code or those other products at all.

      Would it make sense to transfer the MLM related blog posts to a subdomain or get rid of them all together? In looking over my analytics, my past past search history was for the MLM info (I think mostly other distributors using the promoted adage of R&D - rob and duplicate to source my blog material). Most of the recent searches seem to be for the newer content I've published.

      Learn how to use keywords and place them into your articles so that you can draw organic traffic faster. I have done product reviews in the health niche and know that they do convert. However, you need to write in a way that builds trust among readers. No blatant sales pitches. You can discuss a specific ailment and give suggestions for natural remedies (include your affiliate links so they can take a look at the product and buy if they desire).

      Definitely need to learn how to do this more effectively. I definitely like your idea of specific ailment, etc and suggestive remedies. This similar to what I did with the MLM --- argh! when I think about the hours and hours of research and writing, it makes me red.

      For the affiliate links, I would just do hyper links, yes?

      I'm suggesting this method, because I don't think it's working trying to update a blog that heavily focuses on MLM products with other non-MLM products.

      Hope this helps
      I'm reminded every time I log in that I have MUCH to learn here. Thank you for your patience.
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