Today marks a month’s worth of Something for the Weekend entries dedicated to the students of Alex Jeffreys. This is testament to the sheer amount of quality content which is being published on their blogs and it is fantastic to watch the progress everybody is making as the weeks go on. The level of achievement has been remarkable considering some students had no prior knowledge of blogging. So, without further ado, here are what I believe to be 10 of the best blog posts from the past seven days.
For the second week in a row, the students have gone crazy for video marketing. Promoting yourself and your products by video is the way to go and there is no chance even those students who are less experienced at internet marketing are going to fall behind if they keep coming up with stuff like this:
Paul Hooper went straight in for the kill and asked outright, is video marketing the new article marketing? With videos now showing up in the search results for highly competitive keywords and phrases anyone who isn’t marketing via video is missing out on a boatload of free traffic. I think a combination of traditional article marketing and the newer methods of video marketing could drive an avalanche of traffic to your blog.
Anyone who is unfamiliar with Youtube needn’t worry because Stewart Boardman created a video tutorial on how to set up a Youtube channel. He also revealed on Thursday night’s coaching call this video ranked highly in Google for a related keyphrase in less than 12 hours of submitting it. Incredible stuff and please keep us informed on what level of traffic this video sends to your blog, Stewart.
Paul Wilson shared his blog traffic but also revealed a technique he is using to increase his friend count on Youtube. The thougth behind this is the more friends he makes on Youtube, the more views his videos receive and the more traffic should be pushed to his blog. I have asked Paul to write a follow up post about how his traffic is being affected by this Youtube technique.
One student taking the video marketing concept to the next level is Iain Buchanan, who has set up a new video sharing website specifically for the internet marketing niche. Nobody is expecting the website to take over the likes of Youtube, but building a related, keyword rich video hub could assist with search engine optimisation and boost traffic, which is something we all want!
Gary Simpson, who was part of Alex Jeffreys 1.0 has kept a string of internet marketing videos which he recorded during the meet up in Las Vegas under wraps until now. I love them – marketing wisdom combined with a crazy Vegas backdrop, what more could you ask for?
Moving away from video, Heidi Passey wrote about the importance of hosting WordPress blogs yourself rather than going for the free hosting option at WordPress.com. Hosting your own blog means you have full ownership and control of your content and you can also take advantage of the numerous WordPress plugins available to enhance your blog.
Sean Beardmore wrote a passionate post asking why did you set up an internet marketing business? I believe Sean is going to succeed online because he understands that online success does not happen overnight and is in this for the long haul. His admission that even as little as 12 months ago he would have bought a “get rich quick” rather than think about creating a sustainable, long-term business proves just how far he has come.
One student who looks like he has it all figured out is Matt Wolfe who blogged about how to make money online. Now, before you all rush over there looking for the ticket to instant riches he is of course talking about the importance of building a list and then marketing to your subscribers.
Andrew Vaughan wrote about how he is generating traffic to his blog during the coaching traffic competition. He is already doing the right things, e.g. commenting on other blogs, submitting videos to Youtube and using Twitter. Keen to take this further he has started posting on forums and is delving into social media. Good stuff Andrew, keep up the good work.
Finally, Steve Snow put a spin on the welcome videos the students had been creating by offering anyone who watches his a virtual beer. It was just Steve, sitting in a boat on a lake, drinking beer. Simple, but I found it very entertaining and can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
If you have anything to say about this week’s list or if you think I have missed out a worthy inclusion, please leave your comments below!
Hey David,
The names you listed on here are people that really have figured it out! This is another of your great ideas to promote our fellow friends’ blogs to everyone else online. I think I’ll start posting my favorite blog posts about once a week to help everyone out!
Since it looks like we’re all on the “create a video” mindset, I’m going to write a post about overcoming your fears in front of the camera. Maybe I’ll make next week’s list… =P
Take care!
Joe Fier
Hi Joe,
It’s a great idea! It’s good content for your blog, showcases some of the really cool stuff other people have been getting up to and it helps to share the link love!
I look forward to seeing what you come up with for inclusion this week!
David
Hey David!!
Cheers for the mention my friend! This concept is a great idea – and you give a great heads up on what people are doing that can help others (whether on the Marketing With Alex course or not).
Anyway, I’m going t jump on your suggestions and go and do some reading and watching.
Keep up the great work!
Iain.
Hi Iain,
It was a pleasure to include you this week – your video site is a great idea and has the potential to do very well.
David
Hey David,
Thanks for the mention, this is really appreciated as it enforces the message that I am on the right track!!
Great post, I have seen many of the articles you are relating to, but will be checking out the others
I will create another post over the next few days if you like, and I will also post a link to the software that I am using if you thing people would find it useful?
Talk soon,
Paul
Hi Paul,
You raised a really interesting point re: Youtube so I had to include you this week!
I look forward to the follow up.
David
Hey David,
Thanks for the mention, really appreciate it…………..
Look back to where we all were at the begining of July?! Continually learning.
Great stuff David, must catch up again real soon!
Cheers
Sean
Hi Sean,
It’s great to see how the students are making huge strides towards reaching their goals.
Speak to you soon!
David
Good summary – I’ll be using your posts from now on to keep an eye on what some of the others are up to! Some of these people have put me to shame.
Hi Peter,
You just need to stick at it. Everyone is at different stages of progress but it is not a race!
Keep up the hard work – you are heading in the right direction.
David
Once again David, Awesome list! Thanks for including me again. I wish I had things all figured out. I’d be writing this from Maui right now and my wife wouldn’t have a job either. But I think I’m getting there. I think we are all getting there.
BTW, I enjoyed my virtual beer with Steve Snow. I just so happened to be drinking a real beer at the time? Is that considered double-fisting?
Talk soon,
Matt
Hi Matt,
You have made great progress in terms of your earnings to what they were just a few weeks ago so just think where you will be in six or 12 months time – you’ll be writing your comments on my blog from that beach in Maui!
David
Hi David,
Thank you so much for mentioning my post. I was just stopping by to see who was making the highlights this week, not even expecting that I might be there! Totally motivates me to keep pushing forward. I plan to check out the others videos on Youtube. I have a lot to learn in that area, but I just had to jump over and get my virtual beer first.
Thanks, Heidi
Hi Heidi,
You wrote a great post and it was a pleasure to include it on this week’s list.
Keep up the good work.
David
Hey David,
Nice read for this weeks SFTW Post …..
I agree about the video marketing etc, at the moment I am trying to motor on, think I have about 5 projects on the go at the moment ….PHEWW!!!!
Video marketing & copywriting are on my list of things to get done and learn …..
Keep the Good Posts coming …..
Speak to ya later
Tommy
Hi Tommy,
I think we are all trying to do figure out the video marketing, I think it will be an incredible traffic generator if done correctly.
As far as keeping the good posts coming, I will do my best
David
It seems that everyone is doing videos, but if you haven’t been blogging that long should you wait till you are more established?
Hi David,
I think you should start doing video straight away. It’s the same as list building – you need to get all of these elements going as soon as possible because your progress will come that much quicker.
Waiting till you are “more established” is the wrong way to look at things. How are people going to “know” if you are more established?
Just get it going!
David
Hey David,
I’m honoured to be mentioned in this post my friend.
I’d just like to share with your readers, that not only do you promise to help them, you’re also helping us, your fellow students and I know that we all appreciate that.
Keep up the great work David.
Talk soon,
Andrew.