Keith Goodrum

Ebay just radically changed the way many people run their internet business. In case you missed it here is the announcement… http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200803241300132.html

There are people who list a downloadable product for say .01. They sell the product to someone; collect their email address and then using an autoresponder try to sell them other products in the same subject. It is an effective way to build a list.

Ebay drives a ton of traffic to its site. And the traffic is people with credit card in hand looking to buy something. That’s what I’d call qualified, targeted traffic.

It’s a great model to build your list.

Well, at least until March 31st.

The new rules for the time being are you have to use the classified section to list digital download products. Currently it costs $10.00 to host a classified ad on Ebay.

This rule change seems to be sending shock waves though the eBay community. And for good reason… a powerful marketing tactic is being withdrawn.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a big chunk of people relying on this as their main source of list building. Based on the buzz I’ve seen out there this is probably hitting close to home for a lot of people.

Now, there will be people who stick out their chest and claim that this is only a minor method they use to build their list. But human nature being what it is leads me to believe otherwise.

It’s tempting when you find one method to generate traffic, or build lists to focus on the one method. In fact they will focus on the most profitable method at the expense of all other methods. Then when that method goes the way of the dodo bird, folks are lost.

Relying on 3rd Party’s for traffic generation is a risky strategy.

This is especially dangerous when a 3rd party like Ebay, Google or even the latest traffic darling Entrecard controls the method. When you rely on a 3rd party you are one policy change from being locked out.

Ebay isn’t the first nor will be the last to make changes that affected entire business models. Why will they do such things? Because they can. So, why put yourself in the position to be at the whim of another policy change.

Here are 7 free traffic generation tactics you can do to diversify:

1. Write a blog post about your free digital download.

2. Submit the post to a blogcarnival

3. Leave a relevant comment on another blogs.

4. Write an article and submit it to some article sites like ezinearticle.com or goarticles.com

5. Add the digital product’s page to your signature line and post on forums.

6. Record a video about the product and upload to video sites.

7. Setup a Squidoo page with a download link on the page.

Over the next few weeks, and months people will come up with ideas to continue using eBay as a list-building tool. But, why not diversify and increase your marketing effectiveness?

OK, here’s a video that was talked about by Robert Stover from Copy Ideas over on the Copywriter’s board. It over the top, but drives the point home.

Enjoy!

I like to post videos like this not only for you, but also for myself. It’s good to look at them for an extra motivational kick.

Or are just in love with the idea of having one?

I was thinking about this the other day. You see people all over wanting to start their own business. It’s one of the great dreams. Right up there with owning your own house.

You’ll notice I didn’t say “Great American Dream” because it really is a global dream. Something people the world over aspire to achieve.

You see studies reporting over 70% of employees want to quit & start their own business. Many even report being miserable in their current jobs or careers. They are not just unhappy… they can’t stand their jobs.

Yet, why do so many not follow up on their dreams?

I think the reason most people don’t start is because they like the idea of having their own Internet business. They don’t like the idea of actually running it.

Here’s what I mean by that…

They want the benefits and rewards of being in business for themselves. They want to call their own shots, travel the world & take any day off they please. They want to put in the hours they choose, not the ones someone else tells them. They don’t like the idea of being told when to come to work, when to take lunch or when it’s time to go home.

They want FREEDOM!

They also want to make money online. At least enough so all their financial problems go away. Many people even want to make six or seven figures online.

It seems like most people want to flip a switch and have an instant online business pop up in the front room. They seem to buy into the “don’t lift a finger, and you’ll get instant riches.” Program.

Unfortunately that’s not the case. The magical six-figure Internet business is not going to drop into their lap. It takes work to run a business… offline or online. No one is going to do it for them. They are going to have to put in the effort to build an online business.

But most people don’t want to put in the effort it takes to run a business.

Now, I didn’t say it would take a massive investment of time, and hours to make it happen. But, It does take work, and a strong plan.

The key is to find the right plan. How do you do that? How can you tell who is the real McCoy? There are loads of people running around claiming they have the true answer…. and many of them haven’t done what they teach.

The answer is simple… look for the proof.

Is this person creating the business you want? Or, do they have success stories from people who have taken what they were taught & succeeded?

If you look to the right you will see several in the blogroll who have the right plan. People like Terry Dean, James Brausch, Ed Rivis, Aaron Brandon, The Kaizen Business. You can get courses, coaching and newsletters from them on how to build your business.

Short on cash? Well, two of them have intern programs that will teach you for free. James Brausch & Jim at The Kaizen Business are two you can join today.

So, do you really want to be your own boss?