Advice from Michael Cheney and Joshua Shafran

I looked at two free training videos I recommend to folks.

Michael Cheney did a 13 minute video to show slide of the Internet marketing seminar he attended in Las Vegas. All the major marketers were present and he was able to attend some VIP functions.

The three trends that Michael took away from the conference were: 1. The importance of social marketing right now. Literally millions of people are hungry for the latest training on social marketing right now. This is the new way to create free internet traffic. 2. The importance of creating products prolifically. The gurus never stop creating new stuff. 3. The importance of using experts to fill in the gaps in your own expertise and saving you time. Michael is about to create a product that will help to address all of these trends and secrets to IM success.

The second video was a tutorial by Joshua Shafran called "Don't Shoot the Gurus Yet." Joshua argues that the problem is not the stuff that is created by the so-called gurus. Most of the stuff being created by the tried-and-true IM millionaires are reputable and useful. The problem is, we buy the stuff and then get overwhelmed and don't put it to use.

He suggests that we organize all the e-books, software and hard copy business materials into three lists: business planning and goal-setting materials; marketing materials; technical materials. This will help us focus on what we need first.

The next step is to decide on a business plan and strategy. After that, develop a marketing strategy, and then go to work creating the products, the website and the autoresponder series that will help you to actually make money. Break everything down into definable steps and work on the project a little bit each day. Bit by bit, you'll make progress.

Shafran mentions several products he feels are indispensable. On the marketing side, of course, Clickbank is a great source. He also suggests checking out Hydramedia and Shareasale for products. Some of the technical tools Shafran recommends are Erik Stafford's "The Faster Webmaster," the "MarketingMakeoverGenerator" product, and the AWeber autoresponder system. I anticipate having the Faster Webmaster II available as soon as it comes out in the next week or two. I'll let you know when it comes out. I agree with Shafran that this is the best tool on the market for the web-challenged marketer.

Liz Nichols