Got a question about business or marketing? Ask Dale!

I'm extremely busy, so I can't promise to answer all of your questions. But I'll try to answer as many as I can each day. Check back daily to see if your question has been answered. Click here to ask me a question.

NOTE: Before asking a question, please browse the current questions to see if your question has already been answered. Thank you.

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Question: Dale, you have a nice website, seem to know what you are talking about, and not trying to sell shitty eBooks on how to do things. Anyways I have been in affiliate marketing for a few years now, I'm not the most successful but I do make some money. I am also contracted through a company to teach internet marketing. I know how to get the site advertised, drive traffic, etc, but seems converting the traffic into sales is the part that is holding me back. No I don't use much paid advertising, 99% of my traffic is from organic searches, articles, etc. Do you have any tips you would be willing to share? I built a website to help my students, so you can see basically what I teach.

Brandon

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Answer: Brandon, one look at your website and I can tell why you're not converting traffic into sales. Your website is atrocious. Dude, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, but you can't expect anyone to take you seriously with a website like that.

You need to build a real website, before you do anything else. If you're looking for an affordable website solution that also looks professional, I highly recommend Network Solutions.

Dale

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Question: Hi Dale:

I've had my website for about two months now, and I still don't have a page rank. I was wondering how long it usually takes. My goal is to get a page rank of  5 or 6. Is that possible?

Sam

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Answer: Hello Sam:

In today's world, you should definitely have a website to display your illustrations. Having a website will give you the opportunity to have the entire world view and appreciate your work.

Conversely, if you aren't experienced in web design, you should definitely use a web designer to design your site.

It just so happens, I know a few individuals that you should talk to. The first person that I'm going to recommend is an artist like yourself. His name is Steve Lowtwait, and his website is http://www.campsteve.com/

The second individual's name is Michael Hall, and his website is  http://michianawebline.com/index.php

The third individual's name is Roland, and his website is http://www.vwebworld.com/

I'm familiar with all three individuals, because we're members of the same forum, http://StartUpNation.com

I can personally vouch for their integrity and the quality of their work. Be sure to mention my name when you contact them.

I hope this helps. Best of luck to you!

Dale

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Question: Hi Dale,

I'm interested in starting an affiliate marketing site and have been doing a lot of research to find as much information as possible. I was hoping (if you have the time) you could give me some tips or good resources about starting an affiliate site. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time,
Richard

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Answer: Hello Richard:

The best advice I can give you is build a nice, user-friendly website with a crystal clear message, and sell quality products by quality marketers.

Also, study the information and resources at http://AssociatePrograms.com

Last, make sure that the products you sell match the overall theme of your website.

Best of luck to you!

Dale
 
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Question: Hello, I am a certified nutritionist and have a few people looking to work with me via the internet. I know nothing about home based businesses, and I want to do this right. I am very much interested in making money over the internet offering my services. I do not have a website (not sure I want one yet because I only have a few clients), and I don't know how to collect credit card payments, or if I even should yet. I just want to do something simple for now. How should I go about this?

Kristy

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Answer: Hello Kristy:

Since you're just getting started, I completely understand about wanting to keep things simple. Why not start an advice column similar to "Dear Abby?" You could call your column "Ask Kristy," and answer questions about health and nutrition. Of course, you would need a website for this, but it doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive.

You could get set-up for less than $100 at Network Solutions (Netsol.com). To make money with your site (monetize), you could join an affiliate program that focuses on health and nutrtion. An affiliate program is a business partnership between you and another company whereas they would pay you a commission for promoting their products or services on your website. For example, Nutrisystem.com has an excellent affiliate program. If you go to their website you'll find the "Affiliates" link at the bottom of their homepage.

If someone joins Nutrisystem because of your recommendation, they would pay you a percentage of the profits. You wouldn't need a credit card account, because Nutrisytem would handle all of the paperwork and billing. Best of all, it doesn't cost anything to join an affiliate program.

I used Nutrisystem as an example, but tens of thousands of companies have affiliate programs, so your options are endless.

I hope this helps.

Dale

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Question: Hi, thanks in advance for your time in answering my questions.I am considering starting a business assisting senior citizens in filing and reconciling medical bills and assisting them with their medical insurance problems. I worked in billing at a hospital 20 yrs and have been employed at a medical clinic for 3 years, so I feel that I am well qualified for this job. Almost all senior citizens have medical bills and most of them don't have a clue what is going on with Medicare payments or insurance payments. They don't know how to read the insurance eob's, therefore they have no clue what if any their liability is. If they are still employed, they do not even know who should be primary, Medicare or their group coverage. There are so many rules and regulations that most of them are in the dark.

I live close to several retirement communities so I feel that the need is there, I just don't know how  to find out if the need is great enough to start a business. I also don't know how to get the word out to individuals that need this service. I would have no idea what type of fee to charge. How do you get answers to these types of questions? I love dealing with senior citizens and many of these retirees have no family members here to help them with this type of problem. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Sherry

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Answer:

Hello Sherry:

Thanks for your question! First of all, you need to conduct a little market research to verify the viability of your business idea. Since you live close to several retirement communities, check with the management of those communities to see if they will allow you to interview their residents.

Regarding fees, make that part of your research. Ask the residents what they'd be willing to pay for such a service, and if they'd be willing to pay on a continual basis. Based on their answers, determine how many clients you'd need to make starting a business worthwhile.

I hope this helps.

Dale

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Question: Hello Dale!

I have a typing business out of my home and I would like to specialize in creating wedding programs.  I do not have a website as of yet and don't plan on getting one anytime soon, so what I wanted to know is how do I get people to be aware of my business and get their business.  

I have all the templates for the wedding programs, the fonts I'll be using and the clipart to incorporate into the programs.  

I don't have much money to spend on advertising so any kind of advertising that is a money saver is what I'm looking for.  

Sorry this is so long, but I'm at my wits end.  I want to quit my current job and stay at home with my children.

Thank you!!

Lucia
 
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Answer: Hello Lucia:

There are plenty of free or low-cost options available to you. Let's start with the free ones first. Local media love community or human interest stories. Try contacting your local newspaper or television station, and tell them about your business. Sell yourself and your business. Who knows? They just might decide to do a story about you. Many small businesses have been launched just this way.

Another free method: Word of mouth. Many experts consider word of mouth advertising the most effective kind. Every chance you get talk about your new business. Tell everyone you meet about it...everyone!

Here's a low-cost method: Have some flyers printed up and visit local bridal shops. Tell them who you are and what you do, and ask permission to leave some flyers on their counter where people can see them.

You can also use this method with beauty salons, day spas and laundromats. Any place that women congregate.

Speaking of congregate, church directories are also an excellent vehicle to promote your business. Check with area churches to see what their rates are to advertise in their directories.

Another low-cost method is advertising on restaurant menus or place mats. People have to do something while they're waiting for their food. Many of them read the ads on menus or place mats.

Well, that should be enough to get you started in the right direction. Best of luck to you!

Dale

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Question: Hi Dale,

What do you think about stuffing envelopes for money at home ? Is this legitimate or is it just scam ?

Diane

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Answer: Hello Diane:

It's a scam! In fact, I wrote an article about such programs. You can read it here. I don't know of any legitimate work-at-home programs. Every one I've investigated has been a scam. That includes, stuffing envelopes, home typing, home assembly, surveys, ect.

My advice: Whenever you see those types of ads, run as far and as fast as you can in the other direction.

Dale

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Question: Dale, what do think about multi-level marketing?

Svetlana

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Answer: Svetlana, I recently wrote an article about MLM. You can read it here.

Dale

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Question: Dale, I've been debating whether or not to put my picture on my website. I have a missing tooth, so I don't have any pictures of me smiling and I think that's important. What do you think?

Sarah Jane

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Answer: Sarah Jane, that's a personal choice. Having your picture on your website adds a certain level of trust, and has been proven to increase sales. However, there are plenty of successful websites that don't use their picture. My advice, find a picture you're happy with and put it on your website.

Dale

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Question: Hi Dale:

Can you tell me the best business to start?

Vance

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Answer: Hello Vance:

There is no such thing as a "best" business. People have made successful businesses out of virtually everything uder the sun. The best advice I can give you in that regard is to find something that you're passionate and knowledgeable about and turn it into a business.

Dale

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Question: Dale, what's a good marketing book for beginners?

Ruby

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Answer: Ruby, I highly recommend Marketing for Dummies by Alexander Hiam.

Dale

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Question: Hey brother,

I want to start article directory. Kind of low on cash right now. Can you tell me where I can get free directory ?

Ahmad

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Answer: Hello Ahmad:

A lot of  marketers are using free software created by Article Dashboard.