However, a word of caution. Surfing faster is always great, but neglecting to use any marketing tool properly can be your downfall.

The Entrecard Firefox-only toolbar is an easy install and even easier activation. Once you’ve followed the instructions, presented here:

To download the EntreBar, visit this page:
http://entrecard.com/page/ec_toolbar

be sure to also take the time to read all about the various features of your new toolbar here:

http://entrecard.com/blog/?p=493

Yes it is wonderful, and yes we are thrilled, they’ve done an excellent job!

But here’s the “other shoe” that I’m sure you will want to read, it really will help you help yourself. (more…)

Woke up this morning and, as always, (thanks Entrecard users!) we had requests from advertisers through the Entrecard service. Logged in, did my approval thing, and then started dropping cards.

I try very hard to make numerous comments as I do this - sort of the whole point don’t you think? Sometimes I can, sometimes I can’t, but I give it my best shot.

Lucky for me I was paying close attention this morning! (more…)

(more…)

One of the great advantages of being a member to some remarkable sites, like Entrecard, is the ease at which you find out about really cool “other sites” going live on the net. Websites designed to help you promote your blog and your business.

Tonight I found one such website while approving an advertiser for our blog in Entrecard. Yes, it was that easy

The website is 125 Exchange.

When you click through you’ll notice the “affiliate looking” url (ours), but at the moment there is no indication that we get anything other than the great satisfaction of helping you find yet another spot to promote your blog.

Before I tell you about the set up, I did want to make mention of the look and load of this service. Wow! We like green, and the animation is super easy on the eyes. You’ll like it, too.

Okay, you sign up in two seconds, check your inbox and confirm, and then head inside where the inner workings are really easy to follow. Start by listing your own ad, you’ll need a 125 x 125 banner (just like Entrecard) and a tiny bit more information including the average daily amount of visitors your blog gets (check your cpanel stats). You will also be able to pick what categories you would like your banner to show up on, as well as indicate what types of sites should be allowed on yours.

To the right, in our Highly Recommended sidebar box, you’ll notice the current 125Exchange card showing. Go ahead, click on it! It will open in a new window and you won’t lose your place here at OIMS.

Well that’s it for tonight, we thought you’d enjoy finding another spot to do more free advertising for yourself and your blog.

Today while cruising through another favorite haunt of ours, Entrecard, I came across “Blog Tips Blogging Brainiac Series” and Mark’s post of March 11, 2008. Mark details how in one day he personally pulled in $100. Yes, and the title of this post is true… Mark is just 13 years old.

how-the-13-year-old-made-100-at-the-dp-forums

I don’t want to say, “What the heck…” but I guess I just did. Our goal here at Online Internet Marketing Strategies is to bring you up-to-date ways to make money online. Strategies for successfully navigating both the internet marketing and social media marketing arenas.

Then, every now and then, Scott and I sit back and wonder if anyone reads, picks up the ball, and runs with it?

Yet here’s a 13 year old most likely running circles around a good many online marketers.

What has Mark got that other’s are missing? Here’s just a few guesses:

1. A dream
2. A mission statement of sorts
3. A detailed how-to succeed plan
4. Short, medium, and long-term goals
5. The where-with-all to go the long haul.

If you read his post, you’ll notice he was busy a good percentage of the day. Maybe not out there digging ditches, but working all the same. It’s evident that he has put into place strategic ways to pull income in - and he has not put all his eggs into one basket (as we see too many “grown ups” do).

Multiple ways to produce income.

Another point to watch as you read is Mark did not go into hock to start making money. He didn’t overcharge his credit card, mortgage his house, or bring himself to the brink of bankruptcy.

What he does do is get up every morning and work his businesses.

Too often, with so many programs out there shouting this, adults actually believe the ludicrous claims like “no calling, no selling, no …” you fill in the blank.

Do you really believe that after forking over X amount of dollars you can just sit back and do nothing…??

Let’s all take a page out of Mark’s book and learn a valuable lesson. Have a plan, develop your strategy, and get to work.

This is not your typical recommendation that will be going in this category, but it is sound advice, worth printing out and telling a friend, so here goes (and yes we’ve had to do this ourselves - the actions listed below… sigh):

ATTORNEY’S ADVICE - NO CHARGE

If you dislike attorneys… You will love them for these tips. Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company. (We personally have had to go through this when Diane’s husband’s wallet was stolen, what a nightmare… so be sure to also do the following to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know):

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put ‘ PHOTO ID REQUIRED.’

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the ‘For’ line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won’t have access to it.

3. Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address. Never have your Social Security number printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary, but if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.

5. Suggestion carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel either here or abroad.

6. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

7. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one but don’t hold your breath, even the local police here said “yeah right”).

8. IMMEDIATELY call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number.
The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. This, often, stops thieves dead in their tracks since your cards are now useless.

Here are quick links and phone numbers to contact if you’re wallet has been stolen. We were told you only have to contact one credit reporting bureau and that they, by law, must informed the others. The Social Security is a definite must do yourself:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

Trans Union: 1-800-680 7289

Social Security Administration (fraud hotline): 1-800-269-0271

And last, but not least, tell a friend about this post please.