As YouTube.com explodes, other sites are seeing the value of this kind of viral networking tool. A new site, FreeIQ.com, allows you to charge for your content and earn money for referrals. This is a cool idea. An expert in, say, dog training, could create a video series. The first couple could be free, as a teaser and free sample, and the rest paid. A great way to make money on expertise, while enhancing credibility in the industry.
http://freeiq.com/doubleplusjoin
Check it out. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to make money with this!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
In House versus Consultants
For the first time, I am having clients ask me about hiring me full time. I believe that the Web has grown to the point that even smaller businesses are seeing a benefit of having full time Web marketing staff. Is it really better?
Of course, that depends on your business. If you can afford a true professional (not a teenager or hobbyist) that understands your site inside and out, understands Web marketing, and is willing to stay up to date on SEO and PPC, then I would say it's a wise move. There are things that can be done by someone who is at your business every day, truly understands your customers and your business, that a consultant simply can't do. No matter how closely I work with a client, it's still their site and their business, and I'm still working with a dozen other clients at the same time.
The problem is cost. Someone who is worth hiring at all versus a consultant also can work as a consultant and make pretty good money. Can you afford this person, who is bringing in a certain dollar amount per hour from multiple clients? What would this person want for salary? Well, as a consultant, I can tell you that the stability of a salary is a strong motivator, and the tax issues alone, mean it wouldn't take the same income level to attract a new employee.
Most businesses can get by with a consultant, especially if they're willing to do some of the grunge work of creating content for their site. But if you're ready to hire a full timer, be sure to ask your consultant - you never know!
Of course, that depends on your business. If you can afford a true professional (not a teenager or hobbyist) that understands your site inside and out, understands Web marketing, and is willing to stay up to date on SEO and PPC, then I would say it's a wise move. There are things that can be done by someone who is at your business every day, truly understands your customers and your business, that a consultant simply can't do. No matter how closely I work with a client, it's still their site and their business, and I'm still working with a dozen other clients at the same time.
The problem is cost. Someone who is worth hiring at all versus a consultant also can work as a consultant and make pretty good money. Can you afford this person, who is bringing in a certain dollar amount per hour from multiple clients? What would this person want for salary? Well, as a consultant, I can tell you that the stability of a salary is a strong motivator, and the tax issues alone, mean it wouldn't take the same income level to attract a new employee.
Most businesses can get by with a consultant, especially if they're willing to do some of the grunge work of creating content for their site. But if you're ready to hire a full timer, be sure to ask your consultant - you never know!
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