As we sat here in the comfort of our home office, we thought about how thankful we are to have a house to live in. Others are not so fortunate… they do not have a place to call home.
So then we asked ourselves… what else do we have to be thankful for? A LOT!
We've outlined a few of the things we're thankful for in this mindmap:
So who said Thanksgiving comes around only once a year? We can be thankful (grateful) for what we have all year round. Think about and write down what you are thankful for, it's a very uplifting experience.
For us, our connections and relationships are especially important. On a daily basis we connect with so many people… in person as well as through all the wonderful social sites and technologies. Without even really being conscious about it, we are continually connecting with others.
These people teach us, support us, enable our success, bring us more joy… and basically complete us as human beings.
That is why on our blog we invite you to "Be Social With Us"! It is also the reason we organize and manage our relationships inside our knowledge maps. It is important for us to develop new relationships and to keep our established relationships alive.
It's all about relationships… how do you stay connected?
About the Authors
Filed under Life Lessons, Mind Maps, Social by 
We got this letter from Maritza and Jeff…
Hi Pat & Lorna,
With all the buzz about the launch of The Social Marketing Blueprint, you probably have some questions. So in this email we would like to take the time to address as many questions as we can.
We've poured through about a week’s worth of questions from the blog, email and Instant TeleSeminar and found the most commonly asked questions.
Here they are with our answers…
1. How & when can I get a copy of The Social Marketing Blueprint?
The 7 Module Video Training Course will be released on Tuesday October 27th at 12 Noon Eastern Time (that’s 9 am Pacific and 5pm UK) at this website: http://www.ToSocialMarketing.com
Memberships will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. It’s important that I tell you that now, because I don’t want to put any pressure on you, it’s just that we are only taking on 212 people in the Training Course, and I’d really like you to have a copy. Now, as you may have guessed, we have a lot more than 212 people on the mailing list, plus some big players like Alex Mandossian, Mike Stewart, Pat & Lorna Shanks (Hey that's us 
) , Travis Greenlee, David Perdew and Lynn Terry will be mailing their lists on launch day too. Plus we have sent out over 10,000 direct mail pieces to small businesses.
When you add all this up well over 1 million people will have access to this launch.
So we're just trying to provide as much information now, on the front end, so you can go ahead and make your decision to buy it. And if you decide it is for you, then that’s great. Just please be ready on Tuesday October 27th at 12 Noon Eastern. http://www.ToSocialMarketing.com
2. Why are you limiting it to 212 people? Is this for real or just another marketing gimmick?
Good question. Well, first of all, we don’t do marketing gimmicks. If we say there is a limit, there is a limit. And 2 of those 212 will have already gone to our two scholarship winners by launch time. The main reason we are limiting it to 212 is because of the Bonus 2 Tickets to the Social Marketing Blueprint Workshop at Maritza’s Hacienda in San Antonio – we can only hold so many people there.
So that’s not some Big Glamorous Reason, just a real reason.
3. What if I am a beginner? Do you have a “mind map” or set of step-by-step instructions that even a beginner can follow?
Good news! That is exactly why we are calling this The Social Marketing BLUEPRINT!
When you come on board, you will get immediate access to a pdf version of the actual Blueprint, as well as have an 11 x 17 color copy sent to your address that you can hang right next to your computer and use everyday.
Plus you will get access to the step-by-step instructions for each part of the Blueprint, so you will know exactly what steps to take and when. Each module will guide you through from beginning to end, from setting up your Social Marketing accounts, optimizing them, to making offers and profits, and everything in between.
4. How is the course laid out? Is it all in Video? And how do I get started? Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, what?
The course is grounded in Video Training. Each of the 7 Modules will be Video Training, plus the following:
- Down loadable mp3s of the Videos so you can take the Audio with you
- Transcripts of the Video Training
- Other down loadable pdfs
- Down loadable version of the Diamond Deadlines Online Success Journal and the Reverse Engineer Your Income Journal
- A hard copy workbook binder of the Diamond Deadlines Online Success Journal and the Reverse Engineer Your Income Journal
- Follow up LIVE Q & A TeleSeminars for each Module
Here’s how the system will be laid out:
When you come on board you will receive immediate access to the Mindset Module – this is first Module because we have found you have to begin here for the optimal success. Get your Mindset and your Social Marketing Mindset working for you first and you will be well positioned to maximize the many tools coming your way.
You will also receive right away the first part of the Blogging Module, with new parts coming each day in your first week. Here are the Modules and the release schedule for each:
Module 1 – Mindset – Entire Module right away
Module 2 – Blogging – First part of the Module right away and then additional parts each day for the first week.
Module 3 – Article Marketing/Ezine Articles – Tuesday November 3rd
Module 4 – Twitter – Tuesday November 10th
Module 5 – Facebook – Tuesday November 17th
Module 6 – YouTube – Tuesday November 24th
Module 7 – MeetUps – Tuesday December 1st
We have laid it out this way for a very important reason.
You are MUCH MORE likely to succeed if you digest this one Module at a time. Both of us have taken many, many courses, and coupled with our extensive surveys and research with our students, we have found that gradually releasing the Modules step-by-step dramatically increases your success rate.
There are many reasons why this is so, a huge one being that many, many courses that come “all at once” end up being nothing more than “shelf-help” – sitting on a shelf somewhere collecting dust.
And though we couldn’t prove this, our hunch is that many big time gurus know this and even count on it so they can sell you more “hype & hope”…)
5. Is this gonna be all theory or will it be how to?
We don’t do just theory. That’s the “hype and hope” method mentioned above and used by many big time gurus.
We only do “how to.” Step-by-step from setting up your account to monetizing Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, EzineArticles, Blogging and MeetUps.
And integrating and automating them into a repeatable system. You are going to learn how to do what we do everyday.
6. With so many choices out there, how did you decide on these 6 particular Social Marketing Tools?
The criteria we used included
- ease of use and the learning curve of each,
- the reach and web presence possible,
- our success and the success of our students and others, and
- the traffic rack of each.
Alexa.com ranks websites based on the traffic coming to a website – a ranking of 1 means a website gets the most traffic in the world…the lower the number the better. Being in the top 1,000 means the website gets an incredible amount of traffic.
Here’s what Alexa says about our 6 Social Media Tools at the time of this writing:
Facebook – #2
YouTube – #4
Twitter – #13
EzineArticles – #149
MeetUp – #834
Blogging – Depends on your individual blog – and we show you how to get more traffic with the Social Marketing Tools and Blog Profit Strategies
What this means for you: You will learn step-by-step exactly how to leverage, integrate and automate these well trafficked sites to send highly qualified traffic to your site!
7. How much will The Social Marketing Blueprint cost?
A lot.
We have not decided on the exact price yet, but it won’t be cheap. We’ve been told we should not release it for less than $1997 because of everything you get in the course.
And the reality is just the Bonus of the 2 tickets to the Social Marketing Blueprint Workshop would be worth more than $1997.
Plus the 7 Video Training Modules complete with mp3s and transcripts, the LIVE Q & A TeleSeminars, the hard copy workbook binder of the Diamond Deadlines Online Success Journal and the Reverse Engineer Your Income Journal, plus all the Bonuses…
All together it’s worth the $1997 and more.
If you are wondering if this stuff works, go back and watch the videos and listen the teleseminar http://www.ToSocialMarketing.com
We’re not going to try to sell you on why this is worth it. Frankly, if you need us to “sell you on it” then this isn’t for you.
If you want to get your Membership you’ll be ordering online, so just be ready at your computer at exactly 12 noon on Tuesday October 27th…
So while the final price is still up in the air, we can tell you for sure that it wont be$1997…or anywhere near that.
Also – you’ll be able to pay in installments if you need to. This way EVERYONE gets a chance…
We’ll be back tomorrow with some more cool info and stuff we’re adding to the Blueprint (like the “Lifeline Pass”), this email has gotten long enough as it is…I just really wanted to answer your questions so you can be prepared on Tuesday October 27th at 12 Noon Eastern…
Until tomorrow…
Maritza & Jeff
==========
Pat & Lorna here now, but we made this offer to our list:
For those that sign up for this program through our affiliate link, we will give you a dynamic mind map of the full course (once it s completed).
You can see an example here => http://2yourpage.net/go/smb5
We hope to hear you on the calls and that you become part of the Social Marketing Revolution!
–Pat & Lorna
P.S. These two are the real deal and one of the nicest couples you'll meet in Internet marketing. We trust them and are already doing some of this ourselves, and its working great!
P.S.S. If you don t believe us go to Google and search for Pat and Lorna and see how many social sites that we appear on. We can t imagine how much we ll grow once we implement everything Maritza and Jeff teach us, and we can t wait!
About the Authors
Filed under Affiliate Marketing, Information Marketing, Reviews, Social Marketing by
Filed under Electronic Marketing, Information Marketing, Social Marketing, Social Networking, Video, YouTube by
A listing of over 250 social network sites. We have also listed the top 10 social networking sites. We have attached the Wikidedia.org information to each site if there was a link.
About the Authors
Filed under Brains, Electronic Marketing, Mind Maps, Social Marketing, Social Networking, Tools, Visual by
Last night Facebook released their Facebook Usernames for companies, individuals and groups. This has been a long time coming and will finally enable you to grab an easy-to-remember, easy-to-share URL for your profile or page on Facebook.
This means that you can now have your name on Facebook like this www.Facebook.com/PatAndLorna You can see our facebook page below using that link. We also grabbed www.Facebook.com/PatShanks & www.Facebook.com/LornaShanks.
You might not realize it, but there are many people on Facebook with the same name. So we would suggested that you go and get your name before it is taken.
So if you want your name, you should go get it now. And here’s how you do it:
- Log into Facebook.
- Go to http://www.Facebook.com/username
- Once you are there, it will show you the names you can pick from. And if you click on the ‘more’ link it will let you select a different name.
- Select the name you want by checking the box or typing in your full name.
- You are done!
(For example we picked ‘PatAndLorna‘, 'PatShanks' & 'LornaShanks' as one word instead of ‘Pat.Shanks‘ or 'Lorna.Shanks' with the ‘.’ in the middle)
If we were you, we would do what we did… now. It will only take ~ 2 mins.
Go to this special page on Facebook www.Facebook.com/username
and pick the name you want for your vanity URL before someone else grabs your name.
Friend us on Facebook, so we can friend you back 
You can friend us on Facebook here www.Facebook.com/PatAndLorna – www.Facebook.com/PatShanks – www.Facebook.com/LornaShanks
Our friend Paul Colligan did a great video on getting a Google Profile and getting your Facebook name. See it below…
So our Google profile is www.google.com/profiles/PatAndLorna
About the Authors
Podcast Secrets? What secrets?
How would you like to "Recession-Proof" your business with the monetization power of Podcasting… even if you're starting an online business from scratch?
Podcast Secrets, taught by Paul Colligan and Alex Mandossian will give you the tools you need to do just that. Trust us, anything you can learn from Paul and Alex is well worth your time and investment. They are information marketing masters… knowledgeable, insightful and focused on helping you achieve success.
So what will you discover in the Podcast Secrets course?
Take a look…
- Strategy Casting – How to Aim Towards Monetization
- Ease Casting – How to Podcast Simply and Easily
- Growth Casting – How to Grow Your Hungry Audience
- Stat Casting – How to Track the Numbers that Matter
- Off Casting – How to Get Your Audience to Act
- Funnel Casting – How to Profit Directly from Your Audience
And…
If you look at their Podcast Secrets Faculty Page, you’ll notice 12 of the top experts in Internet Marketing, Media Production and Social Media.
How does this work with Podcast Secrets?
This special program includes a solid hour of pitch-free training with each of the faculty members. It will then be followed with a Q&A session.
These will be included in the private membersite and the premium course feed – but there is nothing like being there live!
We have been honored by being included in this year's Podcast Secrets Faculty. So without further adieu… here is the Podcast Secrets 2009 Faculty (In alphabetical order – links open their Twitter accounts):
You’ll notice we’re following all the faculty on the Podcast Secrets’ Twitter Account. We recommend you do the same.
- Leesa Barnes – How to Use a Podcast to Fill & Make Money From Any Event
- Denis De Bernardy – Semiologic Secrets
- Jamie Davis – Lecture 2.0: giving students 24 hour access to the classroom through recorded media and podcasting
- Michael Geoghegan – From Podcast To Book Contract In 6 Months Or Less
- Jeff Herring – Article Marketing Your Way To A New Audience
- Christina Hills – Blogging Basics From The Beginning
- Dave Jackson – Working With A Podcast Consultant
- Mike Koenigs – Secrets To Web Video
- Raymond Chip Lambert – Linked-Into A New Audience
- Julie Perry – YouTube Secrets For Podcasters
- Dan Safkow – Vendor and Reseller Outsourcing Secrets
- Pat and Lorna Shanks – Making Your Audio Podcast Very Visual
- Mari Smith – Relationship Marketing Secrets
- Mike Stewart – Building The Best Studio For Your Buck
- Jason Van Orden – Promoting Your Podcast
- “Mr. X” – The Next Generation Of Paid Podcasting
We totally recommend that you invest in Paul and Alex's Podcast Secrets course. With the knowledge imparted by Paul and Alex and the wealth of information shared by all the amazing faculty members, you'll be well on your way to Podcasting Success!
About the Authors
Filed under Information Marketing, Resources, Reviews, Twitter by
It is said that the best things happen when least expected or unplanned. Well, last week we found out how true that is.
On the Saturday night following the TSS Reunion we were graciously invited to dinner by Jeff Herring along with Maritza Parra and Mike and Susan Stewart. The dinner was superb… we had good food, good wine and fabulous company.
The next morning at breakfast they extended the invitation to join them on their trip to the Napa Valley and Indian Springs at Calistoga. We couldn't say no… it sounded like so much fun. So we rented a car and were on our way.
The next two days were packed with speed wine tasting (so many wineries, so little time), fabulous meals, a mud bath (oh so spectacular), a campfire, and most of all the absolutely fantastic friendships we formed with Jeff, Maritza, Mike and Susan.
The best wine tasting experience (I'm sure we'd all agree) was the one where we all joined in on a sing-along lead by Mike Stewart on guitar. Simple and spontaneous… and so much fun.
Our last day together was spent visiting Alex Mandossian at his home, a wonderful experience that we are so grateful for, and having our last fantastic supper together down on Fisherman's Wharf.
This whole adventure proved to us that worrying about plans or all the other obstacles we could have imagined, didn't mean a thing. Going with what felt right and "seizing the moment" turned into an adventure of a lifetime and most importantly, friendships of a lifetime.
We are going to carry this on into the rest of our lives and into our business. Go with the flow, go with what feels right… yes add plans into the mix… and create something spectacular!
In the infamous words of Mike Stewart… "This don't suck!"
About the Authors
Filed under Life Lessons, Social, Social Networking by
This presentation is for our good friend and mentor Alex Mandossian. Every year he teaches his Teleseminar Secrets course and every year he teaches us about smuggling donkey's. Well, this is our donkey story for this year, called "The Man, The Boy and The Donkey".
And a very special Thank You goes out to our good friend Tara Reed for doing the artwork (The Man, The Boy and The Donkey). You can tell she likes balloons. You can visit Tara at her site Tara Reed Designs. (Just kidding about the balloons Tara)
Enjoy this donkey story. Happy Birthday Alex.
– Pat & Lorna Shanks and Tara Reed (and the Donkey)
Please click the image below to start that presentation.
(Opens in a new window, duration: 3 min, 24 sec)
About the Authors
Filed under Life Lessons, Social Marketing, Spectacular Presentations by
When two people meet, is the first invitation, "Would you like to go for dinner?" or is it, "Will you marry me?" It's pretty obvious that it is the former.
Well, maybe it's not so obvious… when it comes to connecting with people online it seems that maybe it isn't. It appears that a lot of people don't understand that people have to get to know, like and trust you before they'll "check out" your offer, give you a testimonial, or tell other people about you.
Appreciation… one word, but so much power. Show people that you appreciate them first… for whatever it is they do. They choose to follow you or spend some time on your blog or website. It doesn't have to be a huge thing.
"Thank you for following me." Simple, but so very effective. Yes, we may have an amazing offer, or trying to grow our list, but there's time for that later. First things first… the other person.
Sometimes the shortest path to a destination is going the other way. To help ourselves, the shortest way is to help others first. Think first, what can I do for you? The other side of it… what's in it for me, will come.
Okay, so back to the "know, like and trust" factor. Offer others assistance, show interest in what they do, have some dialogue with them… and before you know it, they will know, like and trust you. Then they will be thrilled to take advantage of your amazing offer, provide a persuasive testimonial and tell everyone on their list about you and your business.
By getting people to know, like and trust you first, you and your business will flourish. Karma? Most definitely!
About the Authors
Filed under Life Lessons, Rants, Social Networking, Tips, Twitter by
Using Spectacular Presentation Marketing on your websites and in your blog is one of the best ways to draw endless waves of traffic and visitors to those websites and blogs. Add Twitter to the mix, which is free, and you’ve added an extremely powerful traffic generation system to your marketing toolbox.
We couldn’t stop the traffic and visitors coming to our websites and blogs even if we wanted to… and we really don’t want to. We’re pretty sure you would love to have the same flood of traffic to your sites as well. Read on to see how to get this result…
"SPIT IT OUT"
SPIT IT OUT stands for Spectacular Presentation Marketing Including Twitter will Ignite endless waves of Traffic and viewers will go OUT of their way to get to your blog. Here's how you do it:
1. Auto-Tweet Your Blog Posts & EzineArticles Submissions – You can set up a free account to automatically send a “tweet” to Twitter each time you add a new blog post or when one of your new articles is published. This auto-tweet will go out to your followers announcing your blog post or new article.
This is spectacular, but don't stop there…
2. Follow up the Auto-Tweet – Like in all other areas of business, your fortune and future lies in the follow up. Don't just rely on the auto-tweet to announce your blog posts and articles; direct your followers to your posts and articles yourself. You could say something like… "For 3 tips on how to… check out…" and then give the URL of your blog or article.
3. Others will "Re-Tweet" Your Blog Post or Article – A huge part of being social on Twitter is "re-tweeting" (RT) messages you can relate to and want other people to read. An amazing thing is that many people will do this for you without even being asked. So how do you get other people to RT for you? You ask them… and then return the favour with their tweets. It’s like Twitter karma.
Here's how you do it – "Get free instant access to…" whatever it is you are giving them in exchange for their name and email address.
4. Direct Them to Your Opt-In Page – You can also invite your Twitter followers to go directly to the opt-in page that you send people to from the Resource Box in your articles. If you aren’t sending people from your Resource Box to an opt-in page, you seriously need to correct that.
In conclusion… "SPIT IT OUT!" Use Spectacular Presentation Marketing Including Twitter and you will Ignite endless waves of Traffic and viewers to go OUT of their way to get to your blog!
About the Authors
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