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<title>Latest Articles by barrywayne</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title>Why You Should Get Professional Motorcycle Repair</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Automotive/Motorcycles/why-you-should-get-professional-motorcycle-repair.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Automotive/Motorcycles/why-you-should-get-professional-motorcycle-repair.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you are a motorcycle guru, chances are you might already have knowledge regarding motorcycle repair.  Yet, this does not necessarily mean you should forego getting help from a professional.

Why?  Well, motorcycle repair professionals: use specialized equipment, possess advanced training and have the ability to get your motorcycle fixed in a reasonable amount of time. 

One of the best reasons you should go to a motorcycle repair professional is because they use specialized equipment.  Sure, you may think ordinary tools will do the job, but sometimes they could do damage to your vehicle.  But in the case of motorcycle repair professionals, any tools they use are designed just for motorcycles.  And in some cases, these tools might be too expensive to get as an ordinary person.  So, don't think that you'll be able to get a hold of them yourself at least not at a decent price. 

Another reason why you need to consider motorcycle repair professionals is because they have been trained for the job.  Since most reputable repair shops require some type of certification, you can be assured that the person working on your bike knows what they are doing.  You, on the other hand, may only have a street knowledge of motorcycle repair.  And while that may work fine for minor issues, major repairs will require additional skills, skills that take more time to learn. 

Finally, motorcycle repair professionals can get your bike fixed relatively quickly.  Since they already know what to do, they won't have to spend hours or even days pondering their next move.  But if you do it, you may have to get books and other resources explaining the repair process.  And, going through all of this information takes time.  Plus, there's no guarantee you'll understand what to do even after doing your research.  And, if this happens, you might spend even more time either looking for more research materials or trying to fix the motorcycle with your current understanding.  But if you do the latter, you could put your bike at risk. 

In conclusion, unless you happen to be a motorcycle repair professional yourself, you're better off taking your bike to a shop the next time it breaks down.  Yes, you will have to pay some money, but the reward is much greater than getting your biked fixed without any further hassles.  And that in itself is very valuable. Maybe even more valuable than the money you would've saved originally. ]]></description>
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<title>Motorcycle Service: Professionals vs. Do-it-Yourselfers</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Automotive/Motorcycles/motorcycle-service-professionals-vs.-do-it-yourselfers.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Automotive/Motorcycles/motorcycle-service-professionals-vs.-do-it-yourselfers.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Your motorcycle has just broken down, and you need someone to fix it.  As a result, you are faced with two choices. Dealing with a do-it-yourselfer who will charge a very low rate or making use of a professional motorcycle service.  How do you decide which one is best for your situation, when you are on a limited budget? 

Well, if the problem is minor, a do-it-yourselfer could be a good choice for someone with a small amount of money.  However, if the issue is more serious, you could actually end up spending more with a do-it-yourselfer.  Why?  Well, do-it-yourselfers usually do not have the tools, equipment and training that motorcycle service professionals have.  So, if they encounter a major problem, they might have to do more research to figure out how to resolve it.  

And even after the research, the problem may still be out of reach for a do-it-yourselfer.  But, if they are in the need of the money, they might try to fix it anyway causing even more damage to your vehicle.  So, you may still be forced to go to a professional motorcycle service.  Only this time you're out however much you initially paid the do-it-yourselfer. 

On the other hand, with an established motorcycle service, you are dealing with individuals who are experts in their craft.  Most likely, they have seen all kinds of problems throughout their career.  And if they haven't, (like new repairmen), chances are their more experienced colleagues have.  So, basically, there's always some sort of a reference point, whether it's through previous repair work or help from another co-worker.

In addition, many motorcycle services specialize in preventative maintenance.  This means that in the long run, you would end up paying hardly anything in repairs, because your motorcycle would never break down in the first place.  And if it does break down, the damage wouldn't be as bad.  Do-it-Yourselfers tend to have more street knowledge, so you can't be 100% sure that they would be able to do these types of things for your vehicle. 

All in all, going with a motorcycle service is usually a better option when you're having problems with your bike.  This is not to say that you should never consider going to a do-it-yourselfer in fact, many mechanics started out expressing their talent through do-it-yourself side jobs.  But if you want more of a guarantee that your vehicle will be fixed, you're better off sticking with the professionals. ]]></description>
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<title>You Only Get 5 Seconds. Starting Now!</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Internet_Marketing/Site_Promotion/converting-traffic/you-only-get-5-seconds.-starting-now.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Internet_Marketing/Site_Promotion/converting-traffic/you-only-get-5-seconds.-starting-now.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Where have I landed?

What do I do, get or buy from here?

These 2 questions needs to be answered for your website visitors within the first 3-5 seconds of them landing on your page.

If you're able to effectively answer these questions and your visitor doesn't leave, then you have no more than 5 more seconds to answer some more questions:

Why should I do something?

These are the 3 key questions that your landing page needs to answer. And they must be answered quickly if you want your online business to be a success.

You may never have thought about this, but when most people end up on your site, they are really hoping their search is over. You will be the one that has the solution to their problem, or can satisfy their need for information, a product, or a service. They're hoping this because they really don't want to spend any more time than necessary to find what they're looking for.

Very few people wake up and say "Today, I'm going to waste 4 hours searching and comparing features to find the best online parenting class." More likely, they're saying, "Oh no, I have that court date coming up, and I haven't found a  parenting class yet. I need to get going on that. I hope I can find one fast."

And which site usually gets their business? Naturally, it will be a site on the first page of the search engine results, but that's for another article. Besides that, it will be the one that has successfully answered our three question quickly and thoroughly for the reader.

Where have I landed? - Clearly, this question (should) be answered by the title of the site and the URL. But other items on the page can help your visitors come up with an answer to this question as well. Is this a reputable company? Does the site look professionally designed, or like your nephew put it together in computer class? Your sites' appearance says a lot about your company.

More than anything else, except possibly for copy, this is the biggest failure I see online businesses making.

If you are using the Wordpress blog platform, you have no excuse to have an unprofessional looking site. There is a huge selection of quality premium Wordpress themes that are available today. With just a few hours and a few dollars (usually no more than $79), you can build yourself a sharp, professional site. If this small investment of your time and money isn't worth it to you, your site will show it. And many people hesitate to do business with a company that can't be bothered with a quality site.

Even for simple "squeeze" or sales pages, there's a right and a wrong way to do it. If done wrong, I'll guarantee you it has cost you sales.

Granted, design is subjective, but you should be following at least some basic guidelines and standards in order to create a credible, professional appearance.

What do I do, get or buy from here?

This may be a little harder to answer. You need to have a solid understanding of what your visitors are looking for, and convey that in a clear statement of your business' most important benefit. An effective example would be a well-crafted tag line for your company.

Too often I see company's make the mistake of coming up with some clever slogan, which mean nothing to their average visitor. They've lost out on the opportunity to really capture the readers attention and instead have created confusion. And confusion doesn't sell, it makes people run. That's no good.

The headline or tag line of your website should clearly state what a user can expect to do, get or buy from your site. Say it plainly and make it very easy to understand. Test your headline by showing it to different people and asking for their initial reaction. Get them to tell you in less than 5 seconds what your site is asking them to do.

Why should I do something?

Possibly the hardest question to answer for your readers, it requires that you set yourself apart from the crowd. How are you different from your competitors? Can I really trust you with my information? How is your free report going to help me? Basically, they're listening to WII-FM, What's In It For Me? How will being a part of your site, at whatever level, going to solve my problems, save me time, save me money, make life easier, make me happy, etc...?

What's the rush? Can't it wait until tomorrow? What will I miss by not acting now? Do I get anything for acting quickly?

There can be lots more variations, but I think you get the picture. Honestly, you probably won't know the correct answer unless you try testing to see what your readers are connecting with. You can use surveys or polls, and split test your landing page with a few different versions of your copy.

Give visitors what they're looking for, make it easy, and make it urgent and your conversions will go through the roof. ]]></description>
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<title>How do You Effectively Convert Website Visitors to Customers?</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Internet_Marketing/Site_Promotion/converting-traffic/how-do-you-effectively-convert-website-visitors-to-customers.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Internet_Marketing/Site_Promotion/converting-traffic/how-do-you-effectively-convert-website-visitors-to-customers.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ This is a question many website owners ask me when we first start working together. I'll give you an answer from a good friend of mine, that is a specialist at list building and landing pages. He always uses the analogy that trying to sell to your customer before getting to know them is a lot like proposing marriage before you've even gone on a date.

It may sound silly, but many people aproach their online business the same way. They go straight for the hard sale without ever asking their potential customers' permission to get to know them a little better.

Your website cannot be designed with the goal of "selling" visitors on your services or products the first time they visit.

Your site should be designed with the goal of starting a relationship with these potential clients and customers the first time they visit your site.

I'll bet you shop the same way as a consumer. Do you often make non-routine, "spur of the moment" purchases the first time you see them? Most people don't. 

We usually take the time to check them out, do product comparisons, and research different brands.

And if we do make those impulsive purchases, without taking the time to compare or even just think about the purchase, these are often the purchases we regret later. Do you really want your company associated with buyers' regret?

So, if you know this is typical human behavior but you aren't doing something to start a relationship with these visitors the first time they check out your website, you're setting yourself up to miss out on a lot of potential business.

What if someone comes to your site, really is interested in buying what you sell, but decides to research just a little more? Do you have something in place to make you stand out, and help them return to your site when they're ready to buy? Can you really rely on their memory? The search engines? Bookmarks? No.

What if they get a better offer or a slightly lower price on the next site they visit? Luckily, the good news is that they aren't likely to buy from your competitors on their first visit, either. So if you can create a way to develop a relationship with them, you will be one step ahead of your competition.

Need ideas on ways to develop a relationship with your site visits?

Giveaways - invite your visitors to sign up to receive a free gift from you. But make sure you're offering something of value to them!
Free trial - if it's practical, give your customers the opportunity to demo your product or service for a short time.
Teleseminars/Webinars - offer them access to your knowledge and expertise. Not only are you giving them something for free, but you set yourself up as the expert in their eyes.
Run fun contests or promotions - most creative video (or photo, comment, etc.) on how they need your product wins it! They'll come back to your site often to see if they've won. If they aren't the winner, they'll at least be familiar with you and the products or services you offer.

The point here is that you need to make sure your site must connect with the type of customer you attract. You have to offer something that is of value to them. Your copy needs to be written for them. The design must appeal to their sensibilities. 

If you're not confident in your writing skills, or not sure the college kid you hired to do your web design really knows how to appeal to your customers, hire a professional. They'll do it right, and this is not the place to skimp. Having design and copy that appeals to your customer will pay for itself over and over again. Because at the end of the day, if your customers don't feel like you understand their needs, they'll move on to the next guy that does. ]]></description>
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<title>Who's Looking out for Your Online Reputation?</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Internet_Marketing/Link_Popularity/who-s-looking-out-for-your-online-reputation.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Internet_Marketing/Link_Popularity/who-s-looking-out-for-your-online-reputation.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Recently, one of my clients came to me with a question. He had been approached by someone that offered to get his company onto the first page of Google for their keywords within a month. My client wouldn't have to pay unless they succeeded. 

My clients question, which was a valid one, was "Why shouldn't I give it a try?"

After all, can't hurt to try, right?

Unfortunately, if they don't get paid until they perform, they will do anything, and I really do mean anything, to succeed. 

My client is already coming up on the first page for many of his keywords on Google and other search engines, from the work we've done for him. We have just started our marketing plan for the site, and have a plan in place to continue to improve his rankings so he will get, and keep, more page 1 search engine listings.

Remember, you can't just hit Page 1 in the search engines, you have to stay there if you want to be successful.

There are a few different methods to use if you want to get to the first page, but that is another discussion. Just know that the basics involve keyword focused content, and building high-quality, relevant in-bound links. These two often go hand in hand.

One effective strategy is publishing articles to article directories and Web 2.0 sites. There are three reasons this is effective. First, you receive direct traffic from these sites as members read the articles they are interested in, and follow the link. Second, you're using keyword-rich content in your articles, so you give the search engines more ways to find your content, and you end up with more listings on the first page. Third, over time, you will begin to see the quality, keyword relevant incoming links coming in from the hundreds of sites that syndicate these articles. 

The problem is, though, you can't build these links too fast. If you do, you give Google and the other search engines a flag that you're not building your links naturally. And when the search engines flag your site, their response is to "Sandbox" or de-index your site (which means they remove it from their search results, and don't add it back in for a ceratain period of time or until you can show you're on the up-and-up. Good luck with that!)

This is a good method for improving your listings in the search engine rankings. Google knows it, and they're okay with it. They won't penalize you for using tools such as article directories, or other Web 2.0 sites. But if they think you're using these tools to "spam" the sites, and your only intent is to get incoming links, well, they don't like that. They will penalize you, quick, when they realize what you're doing, and then it's into the Sandbox with you!

This is why I feel business owners need to be very cautious of anyone that says "I can get you first page listings in Google in a month or it's free." He probably can, but what will it cost in terms of your online reputation, longevity, and your bottom line?

And, traffic is only one piece of the puzzle. You also have to have conversion. If you have lots of traffic, but aren't generating leads, customers and die-hard fans, that traffic doesn't mean much. Will he stick around to make sure your traffic is converting? Will he help you analyze your traffic, and suggest improvements? 

Once he gets paid for landing your site on the first page of Google, he's gone. And unfortunately, you usually don't have any long-term customers, or lots of sales, to show for it.

If you value your internet reputation, think long and hard before you put your online reputation in the hands of someone without a long term plan for your business. Or go with the better option - a company that really does watch out for your online reputation, and has a long-term strategy that will keep you at the top. ]]></description>
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<title>The Hunt for the Best Custom Motorcycles</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Automotive/Motorcycles/the-hunt-for-the-best-custom-motorcycles.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Automotive/Motorcycles/the-hunt-for-the-best-custom-motorcycles.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ In the late 90s and early 00s, custom motorcycles hit the mainstream. Custom builders like Orange County Choppers and West Coast Choppers were featured on television and became status symbols for a multitude of riders across the globe. Bikes built by these experts cost tens of thousands of dollars and were a rider's pride and joy. Unfortunately, most riders can't afford custom motorcycles built by one of the big names, and, besides, the waiting list is longer than the trip from Sturgis to Little Sturgis. The upside is that many custom motorcycle builders have sprung up from the dry well and can offer you the same quality for much less.

When you're searching for the right custom motorcycle builder, there are a few things you'll need to remember. If you're looking for serious power, check out some of the builder's previous work. A good custom drivetrain package contains the engine, transmission, starter and belt drive that will give your bike all the power you need. The drivetrain comes in different colors and styles, though black, silver or natural are most common. A natural finish means that the metal looks exactly as it appears when cast. Make sure that the builder specializes in the drivetrain package you choose.

Another factor to consider is the kind of gas tank that the builder can offer you. Builders are usually more knowledgeable in the workings and design of certain types of gas tanks than others. If you need a stretch tank, you'll have no trouble finding a custom motorcycle builder, since stretch tanks are one of the most popular styles. An expert in hybrid tanks may be a bit harder to find. 

If you're really lucky, you'll find a builder that can produce a great tank from scratch, giving your ride a completely unique appearance. The gas tank is one of the most important components of your bike, and you may want to stick with an old rule: bigger is better. More room in the tank means less stopping at gas stations.

A builder with the ability or connections to give you a great paint job is essential. Whether or not the builder can actually paint, he should have someone he works with or can recommend to you. Traditional flames should be no trouble, but finding someone to give you a design far off the beaten path will take some hunting. Skulls are another traditional option, whether they're the ghost of Davy Jones or the Grim Reaper himself. If you want a roaring lion or an eagle on the prowl for its prey, make sure that your builder can provide the paint job you want. Maybe you want something a bit more subtle. In that case, a cool wash of color or a variation on a familiar logo may be what you're after. Again, check with your prospective custom motorcycle builder to see what he can offer.

With some luck and a bit of homework, you'll have the custom motorcycle that's the envy of your riding buddies. Take care of it, make sure it's as clean as the day you first took it home, and always ride responsibly. ]]></description>
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<title>Find Out What Your Blog Readers Want - (Not What They Need)</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Advertising/multimedia/find-out-what-your-blog-readers-want-not-what-they-need.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Advertising/multimedia/find-out-what-your-blog-readers-want-not-what-they-need.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ One of the most difficult marketing realities to get your head around is this:

People will usually buy what they WANT
before they buy what they NEED.

This is particularly true online where temptation and opportunity lurk around every page corner.

A woman may need to get from her house, to work, and back.

But, she wants a Hummer H2.

Fulfilling the need to get to work and back could be a bus pass. But, the Hummer H2 fulfills her wants though the Hummer is serious overkill for meeting a transportation need.

Add to this counterintuitive concept, the filter that wants and needs are dominated by is our own personal perception. If you've ever spoken the words you don't know what's good for you, then you have some idea of how murky our understanding can be of our own situation.

I need to get to bed and get some sleep has frequently been trumped by I think I'll have another beer.

So, if you come to the marketplace seeking to fulfill someone's needs, you run the risk of missing the mark and setting up a sales system that won't convert to very many sales.

This is not an exact science, but an aspect of your marketing that you should pay attention to. People will often TALK about what they NEED and dream or think about (or even do Google searches for?) what they WANT.

When you start to examine a market look carefully at what people are saying and the WAY they are expressing their desires and questions.

Words mean things. They have a meaning that begins in the mind of the searcher and are expressed in the context we find them online. Pay attention and when you are looking at discovering your client needs and wants always ask yourself to look deeper.

Consumer-society has trained us to eat your dessert first and it is not uncommon for a truly useful product to sit in the shadows of a sexier one that is just fun.

This is something that divorced people can often relate to.

Keep an open mind here and be willing to challenge your assumptions about your market as you look for the pony in the pile. You may need to start with a cheaper fun product and evolve the customer toward a more profitable needs based purchase after they have begun to trust you more.

Don't wait around forever doing research. Reach a reasonable conclusion and move on. If what you are offering to your market is not what they want they will vote by not taking you up on the offer and you can learn from that and get better. ]]></description>
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