So take this for what it is, a test post… since I have no idea how it will look until I hit the ‘Publish’ button.

This could be a great tool for local businesses.

You can move the map around… zoom in… basically do everything you can do if you were on the Google Maps page.

Looks pretty good so far.

And I should mention, you do this using a Wordpress plugin and then display the map you created at the UMapper site.

This is one tool every serious blogger needs to have in their toolbox.

I don’t give many product reviews on this blog… I do have affiliate links scattered around — over on the right hand side, a few 125 x 125 images that promote what I feel are pretty good products. Some I’ve used — some I have not.

I like the 125’s though — they add a bit of contrast and liven up the blog a bit 

Above the 125’s there is an image promoting Entrecard — a good way to drive some extra traffic to your site. Jack Humphrey has a new “Special Report” at Social Power Linking on using Entrecard — the “ins and outs” if you will on how to maximize your traffic using Entrecard.

I learned a lot of stuff in the special report that I did not know… thanks Jack.

Hang with me for a bit — I’m going to start from the end, and work my way in reverse with the Micro Niche Finder review.

So don’t bail out on me — I promise, I’ll get there.

Micro Niche Finder Video.

I’m getting ready to launch on a new membership site, Big Fish Blogger (posting about it next week).

While doing my “due diligence”… I asked a few Bloggers to share with me (an unofficial survey of sorts), what was the number one problem or top challenge they had with blogging.

I expected to see “getting traffic” as the number one challenge — surprisingly, it wasn’t.

So, what was the number one challenge they face with their blogging?

If you surf the web a bit — read a few blogs, the answer is obvious. Chances are, it is something you struggle with occasionally as well — I know I do at times.

Micro Niche Finder is not a blogging tool.

I’m sure when James developed Micro Niche Finder, blogging never even entered his mind — could have.

He was focused on creating a tool that uncovered little known and untapped niche products and markets — and that it does — plus, it does a lot more.

How to run my car on water.

I’m ranked #4 in Google for that phrase — it is a post on this blog.

It is really a fluke that I even wrote the post. Has nothing to do with marketing — but I was trying out a new tool (Micro Niche Finder), and I wanted to test it out.

Worked like this.

I entered the term “how to” in the Micro Niche Finder search pane.

It returned results at that time (last November)  that looked something like this;

When I did the search in November using Micro Niche Finder, “How to run my car on water” was one of the results Micro Niche Finder returned. The search results obviously change over time, due to the nature of what people are searching for is constantly changing.

So what does all this have to do with the #1 blogging challenge I was talking about?

Everything — stay with me.

But let me ask you a question first.

When you sat down and wrote your last “Hall of Fame” post on your blog… did you just wing it and think to yourself;

If I write it they will come?…

Or, did you do a little research before hand to make sure it was a topic people would find interesting? — or even better, information they were already looking and searching for!

Hey… I’m no Seth Godin. I write about stuff on my blog all the time where I’m the only one who finds it interesting (topic of a post I’ll be doing soon).

Thing is… we don’t have to do this. So lets stop.

After all, a major factor in getting traffic is writing articles and posts that people are interested in and want to read.

We have the tools and resources at our disposal that virtually guarantees every article or post we write is on a topic or on a subject people are wanting to know more about — and looking for right now.

Micro Niche Finder is one of those tools.

When I wrote the Run My Car On Water post… Micro Niche Finder showed it to be a very low (bad) searched for phrase with little competition (good). I believe there was only 50 or 60 searches for the broad phrase (without quotes) a month at the time on Google — I wrote the post anyway because of the low competition and the current situation with gas prices (bought a Hybrid myself).

Using Micro Niche Finder, I found a few more relevant keyword phrases with higher search results, and weaved them throughout the article.

But honestly, the article is not that good — like a ten minute post promoting a Clickbank product (and I sell a few every month).

But the subject matter is in high demand and something people are searching for now.

People are desperately searching for ways to lower their gas bill — I was.

So here’s your answer… the number one challenge we all face — writing content that people are wanting to read.

If you can do this — the traffic will come. Maybe that’s why getting traffic was #2 on the survey.

I know — that is a quadruple Uh Duh!

No big secret there, right.

You have read all the way to this point and my punch line was nothing more than “write what people want to read and what they are searching for?”

Well do ya?

How do you know? Have you done the research — or did you just sit down and decide to write a post because you have not written one lately?

For example, if I had a blog where I catered to the iPhone niche — I might write a post on how to unlock an iphone - based on the data Micro Niche Finder returned (see image above).

You could also take it a step further and create a product or report that shows people how to unlock an iphone — and sell it.

The search volume is not that high — 360 searches a month — but, there’s only 3 sites who’ve highly optimized their site for that phrase.

While I would not do a stand alone blog where I only targeted that specific phrase — search volume is to low — I would write an article or post targeting that phrase if my blog was in the iPhone niche.

Micro Niche Finder is a great tool, and I’ve only shown you one thing it can do.

I did not even hit on the Brainstorming, Hot Trends or other features.

I give Micro Niche Finder a double thumbs up.

And yes — the below link is an affiliate link — check it out if you struggle a bit with what to write about.

Micro Niche Finder video.

Maybe a better title would have been; "Ready — Fire — Fail?"

This book has been sitting on my shelf for a few months — truthfully, forgot I had it.

Since it was time to use one of my Audible credits — and I really did not see anything else that jumped out at me, I went ahead and downloaded the audio version of Ready, Fire, Aim.

I loaded it up on my iPod, and a listening I went.

Why would I say "Ready, Fire, Fail" may be a better title for the book?

I mean come on — this book has nothing but stellar reviews at Amazon… the people who reviewed and gave it good marks (5 Stars), are well known and respected folks.

In the business world, they have all reached far higher pinnacles of success than I — and most have reached levels that I will never reach in five lifetimes (added that just for emphasis).

So… who do I think I am to speak negative about Ready, Fire, Aim?

I’m just a regular guy.

Let me be clear…I do not take issue with the entire book — only a part that could cause you to fail (or never start).

In fact, I think it is a really good book - one of the best I have read (listened to) lately. I just do not agree with everything in it.

One thing I’ve always felt a bit uncomfortable doing? — disagreeing with super successful people.

Think about it.

Michael Masterson (the author) is a millionaire many times over. He walks the talk. He is the real deal… the real McCoy… he is bonafide!

Disagreeing with people that I would consider somewhat of a "silent" Mentor — and off the chart  successful — here we go, why not?

I’ve received bad advice from people before — and I’m sure I’ve given some as well.

Just because it’s in book form, or in the Sunday Papers — does not mean it’s 100% correct (Joe Jackson reference - Look Sharp).

Tipping Point Products…

In Ready, Fire, Aim — Masterson states that we must create Tipping Point products — hard to argue with this. Wish every product I created was a Tipping Point product.

If you can create Tipping Point products — success, and huge amounts of cash will soon be headed your way.

Ironically, this is the part of the book where I disagree.

If I understand him correctly — your product flow should look like this according to Masterson;

People purchase a Tipping Point product from you — they are now in your funnel, and you continue offering them more products to purchase — your backend products.

Let’s say you sold them an ebook on "How to Create eBooks"… now you offer them additional products on "How to Create Multi Media Products", "How to Create DVD Products", etc.

This is where I disagree, Tipping Point Product.

Masterson says you "first" create Tipping Point products, then you back-end with your "so so" not as great stuff.

This is one of those "DUH" moments for me in the book.

If my "lead in" product is in fact a Tipping Point product (refer to definition link above), then you can rest assured my other products will be of lessor quality.

How many of us create Tipping Point products?

I’m talking products like the iPod… Hush Puppy Shoes… Starbucks, etc.

I never have.

If I create a Tipping Point product — it will be pure luck (can you say pet rock).

Here is a more realistic flow;

 I tossed in a Tipping Point product in the hopes you might create one some day — but don’t wait on that day to start selling other products.

This is a real world flow — one where you create products people want — one where you are not stuck on step number one in an attempt at creating a Tipping Point product.

Maybe Masterson can lead or start off with Tipping Point products… but you and I?

Lets just say I hope you do not wait until you have created a Tipping Point product to begin selling other products you have — if you do, you’ll go broke.

Maybe I’m way off base?

I could have totally misunderstanding what he said.

After all… everything else in the book was really well done and seemed pretty much on target (in my opinion).

But I don’t think I did.

If I did — let me know.

Because after listening to the audio book — referring to the actual printed version — I was left with the thought (or impression) that you have to create Tipping Point products in order to be successful.

This simply is not so — and Masterson gives examples in his book where he proved this point himself.

That’s it… I prefer not to disagree with Michael Masterson any more than I have already (him being who he is — celebrated author and bonafide real deal)…

… and I sure hope you enjoyed reading my "Tipping Point" post 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Added After Original Post ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Short excerpt from the Ready, Fire, Aim audiobook on creating a Tipping Point product.

Other Sites Discussing Ready, Fire, Aim: Zero to $100 Million in No Time Flat;

Ready, Fire, Aim - Or, Get Your Priorities Right! Ready, Fire, Aim Hot List: The BusinessWeek Best Seller List, Feb. 2008 Here’sa Good Idea: Profit From the Next Wave of Info-Publishing

—————————- Post Sponsor —————————————————-

This fits in with my model (and reality) — something most of us can do.

But, if you can create Tipping Point Products… you should do that.

—————————————————————————————————-

I’ve used video to drive thousands of visitors to my web sites - so I know for a fact this stuff works. When combined with writing good compelling content, you truly have a powerhouse system for attracting visitors.

There’s some good info in this video series. There is a lot of stuff to learn - but you have a full 90 days to watch everything and put it into practice.

I cannot believe that most people (YouTube publishers) do not even use one of the most basic tips outlined in these videos. If they did… they could be driving thousands of visitors a day to their web sites, or affiliate programs they promote.

For the money - this is hands down the best video course on using the free video sites to drive traffic to your site.

Traffic Videos Link

clipped from howtovideo.tv  Videos… unlike using Pay Per Click or Paid Advertising drives traffic to your sites for Free and Forever! When you use pay per click… when you run out of money - that’s it… your done - GAME OVER!     Finally the painful days, even MONTHS, of waiting? for free search engine traffic is finally over!     Imagine creating a simple video today that will drive thousands, possibly even hundreds of thousands of people to your affiliate products and websites forever at NO COST!   Videos… unlike using pay per click or paid advertising drives traffic to your sites for FREE! When using pay per click or paid advertising… when you run out of money - that’s it - IT’S OVER!   This IS NOT the case when using Video. Because once you upload them to one of the Free video hosting sites… they are essentially there forever generating you Free traffic!   In a 6 minutes and 41 second video I’ll even reveal a method I personally used to crank up my traffic and double opt-ins!   Listen - it really is easy.

Bar none - whether paid or free (this one is free), there is not a better book on marketing using Social Bookmarking or Social Networking sites to drive traffic to your site.

If you cannot become a traffic generating machine after reading this book - give it up. You have a curse that is preventing you from generating traffic.

Excuse the format of the post… could not get it to look right… but forget that - get this free ebook by Jack Humphrey.

clipped from andrewdaum.tumblr.com 64-Pages Of Resources   Authority Site Center BlackBook   Do NOT Buy Any Product That Says Web 2.0 Until   You Read The 100% FREE Authority Black Book!   Over 500 links to the most powerful and useful Web 2.0 traffic and buzz resources on the web! We’re talking immmediate traffic to your mini-sites, Adsense sites or affiliate sites.   How to use RSS subscriptions to explode your reach! So many marketers and webmasters are doing RSS the wrong way… we’ll show you the right way!   How to create and syndicate video to the top video sharing sites for high-powered and valuable backlinks (Google likes video links!)   Linkbait: What is it, How to write it, and how to generate massive buzz and hundreds of backlinks in your niche using it.   A tool to instantly and with the click of a button bookmark any page on the web in all the social bookmarking sites – FREE!   Where to get buttons for your browser to submit your pages to all the leading buzz sites like Netscape, StumbleUpon, Reddit and dozens more!

I had never used Mercantec’s shopping cart in the past as I’ve never needed to use a third party service - always do "one off" single product sites. Mercantec allows you to use their service even if you are selling one product or fifty.

I will not get to much into it here as I cover most of what I would say about Mercantec’s free shopping cart in the video.

One thing I did not really cover thoroughly or in enough detail was using Trialpay with Mercantec. I started to get into it some - but the video started running long - I started to mumble so I rushed it up a bit.

Think about this for a minute though (you will see what I mean after watching the video).

Let’s say you are running an Adwords campaign or paying to advertise somewhere to generate some leads. With all the PLR or Resale products out there you could buy - set it up where you are using Mercantec as your shopping cart selling one of the PLR products - integrate Trialpay as an option -  buyer now gets the product for free - you still get paid your money from Trialpay, plus you get a new lead. Sounds like a good model to me.

In the CPA world, they refer to this as being incentivized.

I have not worked out the numbers… but if you had a pretty good converting product - you could really clean up using this model. You are giving the person a choice - pay or free and who doesn’t want something for free? In the video below - I gave the person the option to pay $15 for the product or take the Trialpay route and receive it for free.

I’ve only had the site up for a two days. Actually, I’ve had it set up with the Trialpay option for two days. The actual site has been up for a week or so. I will see how it converts after switching over to Trialpay for a few weeks and report back.

You never know - it may not work with this product - but the model is sound. It would probably do better with a non "Internet Marketing" type of product - say an ebook on curing acne, teaching your dog or cat how to fly - stuff like that. Just something where you are not selling a product to the Internet Marketing group.

Even if you do not use the Trialpay option (but I would test it with something), the Mercantec shopping cart works great - better than a lot of paid services.

Oh yea… as you can tell - I do not have a radio voice. I stumble - mumble - yack and hack like a hick most of the time.  It is pretty obvious I’m not a professional broadcaster. So please excuse all that. But I hope you find the info useful.

Let me know what you think - leave a comment below and lets share some ideas - especially on using Trialpay.

GoTryThis was voted the "Best Internet Marketing Product" of the year in 2006 and with good reason. I will not get into all the stuff you can do with it - you can get all that off the sales page.

John is only releasing 300 copies this go round - just checked and there is 285 left - sold 15 in just a few minutes.

So you will know - I have GoTryThis Blackhat installed on every site I own (yes, even this blog). There is a work around for using it on a blog (issues with re write mod for using it on a blog) - if you get it let me know and I’ll tell you how to set it up. He tells how in the forum, but it is not real clear.

He must need some money for something as he is selling it for $197.00 - I paid $247.00 for it myself.

Like I said… this is one product I can truly endorse.

Oh yea… watch some of what it can do in the video below - just added this today (10/26/2007).

GoTryThis BlackHat Version

One of the things I hear over and over from people is how do I know which products I should be selling. Since this is a follow up to the ClickBank video… I’m going to share a service that I’ve been using for quite a long time for doing research on ClickBank products.

I firmly believe your success as an Affiliate Marketer depends on the products you sell or market. Sure - you can have some short term success hyping up crappy products but it will be short lived. I’ve personally fell into the trap of promoting products that offered a high payout… only to find out later the product was either rehashed junk, or flat out sucked.

This is why I will never give a "Positive" product review on a product I do not own.

It is to risky.

I may share with or tell my subscribers about a product I do not own, but I will let it be known that I have not purchased the product. In a previous video I mentioned Blogging To The Bank - but I did not do a review of the product. I have purchased the product, but truly - I am not sure what I think of it.

For someone who is new to blogging it would be a "must have".

But an experienced Blogger? Not to sure they need to get it. If you are a new Blogger - get it. I did not read any earth shattering or super secret techniques I was not aware of already. But a new Blogger ?… it is possible that it could become their "Blogging Bible."

Like I mentioned in a previous post - it just depends on what part of the "Parade" you are in on whether or not you would benefit from owning it.

That is the problem with doing "Product Reviews." The Reviewer is looking at the product and reviewing it from their perspective. It would be like Einstein reviewing a basic math book. It may not be of any use to him - but it may help a five year old. So keep this in mind when reading anyones review of a product.

The reviewer may be someone who knows a lot more than you on the subject - or it could be someone who knows less than you, or nothing on the subject and rates the product high.

Enough on that… lets get on with the show on CB Engine.

Oh yea… if you are not a subscriber to my newsletter and do not know anything about Bum Marketing with Articles, Longtail keywords, Silo Site Structures… maybe you would benefit from owning Google Snatch? Here is a link (it is an affiliate link - heck, I might as well make a buck): Google Snatch

Okay… on with the show!