Next, create a distinctive image - brand yourself. This can be accomplished in so many ways: A catchy name, a unique product or service, a creative writing style that people enjoy, a logo. Whatever it is, it should make people remember you.

Repetition. Advertising to your market on a regular basis. Writing articles and submitting them frequently so that not only do new prospects get to know you but so that your regular readers or customers don't forget you. It is imperative, though, to know when enough turns to too much. The object is to get them to read/buy/recommend your products or whatever your offerings may be.

Create positive association in your prospects long term memory. Remember, when a prospect is ready to purchase, their decision is reached by information retrieved from memory (even impulse purchases at times are made by a positive association to that product and retrieved from their long term memory at time of their purchase).

Here's an excercize - see if you can finish following:

"I'd like to buy world a . . . . . . . " "Sometimes you feel like a nut; . . . . . . . . . . . " "Plop plop fizz fizz, . . . . . . . . . . . . "

I'm willing to bet you remembered them just fine. Ask yourself why. Effective advertising - sure. Repetition - you betcha. Name recognition? You remembered them, didn't you? Now we're conditioned to know exactly which product is referred to even if only part of jingles above are heard or read.

I'll bet even a few of you went to your fridge to get a Coke after reading them . . . ;-)

So what does all of this have to do with a ringing telephone? I don't know. But I know this . . . my wife has now been reconditioned to only answer phone when she WANTS to. Not because it's ringing.

So get busy. Condition your market. Make a name for yourself.

Michael Ambrosio is the owner and webmaster of Get Profits Now as well as a few other internet businesses.

If you use a type of list management software that resides on your computer or your own Web server, such as Broadc@st or MailLoop, it can probably schedule automatic backups for you. See program's help files or contact their support center for assistance.

<< If You Use an Online List Service... >>

Even if you host your list online with a listserve (such as Topica) or an autoresponder service (such as GetResponse) that should make their own secure backups, you should still make your own backup copy on a regular basis! Just download or "export" a copy of your list each week for safekeeping. It should be pretty easy to do. This procedure varies depending on what program you use, so see its help files or contact their support center for assistance.

<< Consider Purchasing a Battery Backup System >>

Southern California is known for its frequent power outages, and they were wreaking havoc on my computer. So I purchased a battery backup unit. (I chose APC's 650 model.) It's about size of a breadbox and keeps my computer going for another hour or so in event of a power outage. This gives me ample time to back up any files I'm working on and shut down my computer properly. It also functions as a surge-protector to keep my computer safe from electric surges. You can buy units like these at any large office supply store, and they range in price from $100 to $500.

<< Don't Put It Off Any Longer! >>

I know that backing-up your files seems like another irritating addition to your busy schedule. But remember that you've worked hard to build your list ... and your business. So take just a few minutes each week to protect that investment. TIP: Pick a certain day each week to back up your list. For example, my electronic calendar automatically reminds me to do this every Friday.

(c) 2003 Alexandria K. Brown

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