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Does Your Site Have Stopping Power?

By Jim Daniels

About one in every ten sites I visit succeeds at keeping me around longer than a minute. I'm usually in a hurry when I surf the web, and I'm not alone.

Actually, the term "Web surfer" is a misleading one. Not too many people I know actually "surf" the web at a leisurely pace. Instead, most times they are on the web they click and click in a frenzied search for something in particular. Perhaps a better term than web surfer would be "Speed Clicker."

Once you come to accept that fact you'll see why it is crucial to give your visitors a reason to slow down as soon as they arrive at your site. Too many webmasters don't do this right away and risk losing another web surfer and potential customer.

Slowing your visitors down a little is the first step in getting them to actually stop and stay a while. If you can accomplish that you'll be on your way to generating a new subscriber or customer. And ain't that what it's all about?

OK, so now that you know that your number one task is to slow down these speed clickers, I'd like to share with you exactly how to do it...

Once you're sure your website loads quickly and looks professional, it's time to post your "slow down" sign right at your main page. No, I'm not talking about one of those tired old "under construction" signs. Instead, I'm talking about smacking your visitors right square in the eye, with a compelling reason to calm their pace a bit and investigate your site further.

No, it is not done with fancy graphics or technology like audio or video. It is best done with the number one tool at your disposal -- words.

But before you start thinking up some catchy headlines or attention grabbers, I'd like you to throw those tired old axioms away. Instead, take a moment today and consider why these "Speed Clickers" have happened upon your site in the first place.

What are they looking for? As a webmaster it is your responsibility to know what your best prospect is thinking and searching for. If you plan to have a successful web business, most of these speed clickers should be hoping to find the very things you've built your business on. Do you know what they are? Here's a little help. Ask yourself these questions...

What is the main benefit(s) your prospects and customers get from doing business with you rather than the competition?

Are your prices the cheapest? Is your selection the largest? Do you offer a unique technology? Do you cater to a special niche market? Do you offer free assistance others can't?

If you can't think of at least one main benefit you'd better work on building one into your business. Not only is it crucial to your success, it's the only way to slow down those speed surfers -- by simply telling them THEIR benefit as soon as they arrive.

So were you able to come up with at least one solid benefit? Good for you. Now put it into action. First put the main benefit or benefits of doing business with you into a sentence.

Need an example? Here's my sentence...

Visitors to bizweb2000 receive high quality online marketing assistance (with no fluff!) from a guy who has been making his living from the Internet since 1996.

As you can see from that sentence, the best benefits I can offer to my website visitors are:

- quality, no-nonsense help - my experience as a full-time web marketer

You'll see this message prominently displayed at my home page. No, not in those exact words, but through a more powerful method of delivery -- from the mouths of my customers. This is my slow down sign -- and it works.

I invite you, scratch that, I CHALLENGE you to come up with your own "slow down sign" at your website. Spend a day if necessary. If you have trouble coming up with anything, contact some of your best customers and ask them why they do business with you. You may find that their feedback provides all the stopping power your home page needs!

Tip by Jim Daniels of JDD Publishing. Did you find this tip helpful? There's plenty more like this at Jim's site: www.bizweb2000.com For Free Weekly Online Marketing Help, get Jim's BizWeb E-Gazette... Mailto:freegazette@bizweb2000.com or visit http://www.bizweb2000.com




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“Surfsling International is picking up momentum”

By Anonymous

NEWPORT BEACH, CA April 10, 2004--The word is out….the surf slings are here! More and more surf shops Nationally and Internationally are stocking up on the surf sling gearing up for the spring and summer markets.

The surf sling is a beach towel that holds two short boards or one long board and a short board plus a wetsuit and attaches to an adjustable shoulder strap making it a hands-free carrying device. The surf sling has a large pocket for accessories, with an inner water-resistant pocket, a fastener to secure the sling around a surfer’s waist allowing it to be used as a changing device, and folds inside itself to become a beach bag. The surf sling is currently being sold in surf shops around the world and can be purchased online at www.surfsling.com.

Surfsling International has recently become a member of HUB360 now allowing easy online ordering for retailers. Hub360 is an Online Ordering System and Information Network for the action sports industry, much like a virtual trade show. Membership includes over 16,000 retail, rep and supplier members, who conduct business in one secure online location.

“We recently exhibited at the ASR Fall show,” says marc Iannini, the creator of the surf sling. “Once again, the response we received from everyone there was great! Sean Collins from Surfline said he thought it was a great idea and that we are going to do very well. A compliment from Sean Collins! That really made my day! I’m really flattered that there is so much interest around the world in the sling. It makes me feel giddy, it’s the same feeling I had when I got my first barrel”.

The action sport enthusiasts at Surfsling International, Inc. are looking to further revolutionize the action sport industry with their inventive yet simple innovations. Surfsling International, Inc., is a privately held company, located in Newport Beach, CA, and has patents pending Internationally and with the U.S. Patent and Trade Mark Office.

For more information regarding the surf sling, Contact: Surfsling International, Inc.; Toll Free: 1-800-223-5766; Phone: 949 548-4559 Fax: 1-949-548-0525; E-mail: info@surfsling.com




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Merlins Rookie Team Makes Waves at Ensenada Surf Fiesta

By Anonymous

Ensenada, Mexico – Merlins Energy Source Surf Team members, Justin Swartz and Shaun Foster, like to start fast and it was evident as they dominated the early stages of competition at the ASP Mexican Surf Fiesta. Each year, top international surfers compete at San Miguel Beach over the weekend of October 11th to earn points for the WQS (World Qualifying Series).

Swartz, 18, dominated Saturday’s qualifying heats, finishing 2nd going into Sunday’s competition. In the finals, experience won out and Swartz finished a respectable 16th place. “During the finals on Sunday, I was up against the likes of veteran Matt Archibald, 36, Timmy Reyes, 21, and Brett Simpson, 18. I felt strong and confident but the tricky and inconsistent surf Sunday got the best of me. I definitely expect to rock my next event at the Santa Cruz Coldwater Classic” an enthusiastic Swartz explained.

The rookie from Venice, California is a product of the USSF (US Surfing Federation) ladder system. Swartz won the overall season title in the open Men’s and Junior titles in 2002 for the West Coast Western Championship for the USSF, thus launching his ASP tour in 2003. This was his first competition as a member of the Merlins Team sponsored by Merlins Energy Source USA, Inc.

Shaun Foster, 17, rookie surfer from Los Angeles, California started out strong on Saturday with high points, but was unable to catch his last set of waves to qualify for the finals. The waves were chest high and I had high sets, I came on real strong but couldn’t catch the last set of waves. I’m looking forward to surfing Santa Cruz where the waves will be bigger and consistent” exclaimed Foster.

Foster grew up surfing Venice and Del Mar and says it is his dream to be known for his style and grace as a great surfer. It was also Foster’s first competition as a member of the Merlins Energy Source Surf Team.

Keep your eye on the Merlins Team as Foster and Swartz look to once again become the fan favorites at the upcoming ASP Santa Cruz Coldwater Classic October 22nd- 26th.

About Merlins Energy Source
Merlins offers the consumer a refreshing natural flavored beverage without added caffeine and taurine. Blending a combination of guarana and ginseng, Merlins provides a careful balance of two of nature's most well known fatigue fighters, improving both physical and mental performance without being over stimulating. Merlins Energy Source is best served chilled or over ice to invigorate the body, mind and soul and conjures pure magic when mixed with spirits. Additional information is soon available on the company’s web site at www.merlinsenergy.com






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