EBay and Selling Digital Goods

Do you have a digital product that you want to sell on Ebay? If you're confused about what the rules are check out Ebay's FAQ as to what you can and cannot do.

Merle's Mission Ezine Now Posted

The Dec 15th issue of Merle's Mission Ezine is now posted online in PDF format read it at http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_121505.pdf

Since this is the last issue before Christmas I wanted to wish you and yours a Happy Holiday Season!

Thanks for sticking with me through the year.

Merle

Yahoo! Gets Answers

Yahoo has launched their own versioin of Answers. Google has had a similar service for three years. The new service located at http://answers.yahoo.com can handle any type of question you can think up......"why is the sky blue?"...

Merle's Mission Ezine- Paypal: "Finding the Right Solution for You"

Hi Kids,

We're being buried in snow from old man winter today.
I guess that's to be expected here in northeast Ohio,
but it still doesn't mean I like it.

Just to update you that the latest issue of Merle's
Mission Ezine is now live online in PDF Format. The
text version was sent out the day before yesterday
so if you didn't receive it, odds are it was snagged
by a mis-guided filter along the way.

Read it or print it out now:
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_113005.pdf

MediaPost Publications - Black Monday Sales Soar 26% - 12/01/2005

We all know about "Black Friday", the day after Thanksgiving but did you know the Monday after is "Black Monday"? It's considered the biggest shopping day online. What I would like to see is a list of sites offering the best deals for that day. It sure would make shopping a lot easier if you knew exactly who was having the best sales. They don't stick those circulars in the newspapers for nothing baby...

"Kids Today"- Warning: Not for the faint of heart

"Times, They are a Changing!"

By Merle http://MerlesWorld.com


When I was a kid if I even looked at my Mother
the wrong way it could earn me a bloody lip.
Today, that would be called "child abuse," but
back then it was called "discipline." Today my
mom would be serving life in prison for her
past actions. Of course, back then there was
actually someone home to raise the kids. That
someone was called a Mother.

Today's young generation are severely lacking
in manners, respect and responsibility. In our
race to have it all, greed has blinded us to
society's most important asset "our children."
Instead of taking the time to raise them correctly,
we throw things at them to make ourselves feel
better for not being there. When you're busy
climbing the corporate ladder it's hard to keep
track of what's going on in your own home.

All of the materialistic things have spoiled
kids to the point they expect everything to
be handed to them and think things such as
driving, which used to be a privilege, is also
automatically given to them when they come
of age. Don't forget the insurance and new
car they demand as well.

Remember when you were younger? If you wanted
to drive, first you had to buy your own car
and be able to pay for your own insurance.
That meant that ugly three letter word, JOB.
Your parents made it obvious from the beginning
if you wanted something you had to work for
it. There were no "car fairies" pulling a
brand new SUV into the driveway with a red
bow on it like some teenagers have today.

Our cars were not new. They were usually at
least ten years old with rust holes so big
you could stick your head in them. Sometimes
the only thing holding up the exhaust system
was a coat hanger. Try getting a 16-year-old
to buy something like that in today's world.
If it isn't new, they don't want it. They think
money grows on trees and Mommy and Daddy should
just go into debt so they don't have to be
embarrassed in front of their friends.

By not allowing kids to work for what they
want, they never learn responsibility. Many
times these are the same people still living
at home at 24 years old. They're still laying
on the couch waiting for the world to hand
them something; usually their life. Are parents
really doing them any favors by not teaching
them to stand up on their own two feet? I think
not.

Whatever happened to manners? That used to be
something instilled during the early growing
years. I called people "Mr." and "Mrs.," as my
mother said it was rude for children to call adults
by their first names. I said "please" and "thank
you," held doors open for the elderly and actually
had table manners when I ate at the dinner table.

Somehow along the way in our scurry for the American
dollar, we threw manners out the window. Are these
lessons no longer worthy of our limited time? I
see kids with foul mouths who don't even know
what "excuse me" means, let alone ever use it.
They've never written a thank you note in
their life and are the same people who display
no courtesy on our already over crowded roadways.
We've raised a generation of ill mannered kids
who unfortunately have turned into rude adults.

Without manners and respect how far can they get
in this world? A basic understanding of simple
etiquette is essential in life. No one likes
inconsiderate people, and once exposed as such
those that know them will isolate themselves from
further exposure for fear of catching the very
disease they have.

Society now is quick to blame someone else for
everything that happens to them. That's lack of
responsibility rearing its ugly head. Along with
the "blame game" has come lawsuits. We've become
a very litigious society. Why work for a paycheck
when you can simply blame others for your
misfortune and take their hard earned cash? What
we have going on in society today was created
by a generation of two parent working households
with no one home raising the children. We've
brought this on ourselves, and for what? The love
of money?

There's a problem here, a big problem. Everyone
needs to stop what they're doing and step down
from the corporate ladder and listen. Manners,
respect and responsibility need to be brought
back into child rearing. If it means finding the
wise elder up on the hill who still remembers
these values and have them teach them to our
children or breaking the glass, and releasing
these ancient teachings back into the mainstream.
Our future depends on it.

Google Analytics stops at 234,725 accounts

Google Problems It appears that the launch of "Google Analytics" had quite the turn out. In fact so many people Google has temporarily disallowed people from signing up...Read the full story...

Merle's Mission Ezine- Get it While it's Hot!

This week's issue of Merle's Mission Ezine takes a closer look at website navigation. Things to think about, types and options you have. If your website could use some help in the navigational department, you won't want to miss this issue.
Read it now at
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_111505.pdf

Google Base

Google base, which is still in beta wants your stuff. That's right if you have stuff from cars to recipes you can list it with Google Base. This also may help you get your items listed with Google's search engine and Froogle and Google Local....

Merle's Mission Ezine- Happy Halloween!

Just a quick note: Merle's Mission is now online in PDF format. See it here
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_103005.pdf

Getting other sites to link to you is very important when it comes to your search engine ranking. Read today's issue which outlines how easy it really is to get those links without even asking.

Do yourself a favor and print it out, at 13 pages it's big
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_103005.pdf

Merle

WOW Pop-Up�:�FREE Guide to Cool Unblockable DHTML Pop-Ups

Have you ever visited a website and seen those really cool popups that look like sticky notes? There are services that will allow you pay a monthly fee to do this on your own sites, but why pay when you can grab this code for free...

Merle's Mission Ezine: Get Your Copy Here!

Hi Kids,

Merle here.

Just to update you that the latest issue of Merle's Mission Ezine is now live online in PDF Format. The text version was sent out yesterday so if you didn't receive it, odds are it was snagged by a filter along the way.

Read it or print it out now:
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_101505.pdf

In today's issue I go off on a rant about "today's kids". If you have an issue with the way young adults are over indulged, you won't want to miss this one. Please
don't send me any hate email though, I get enough already.

Merle

Is Your Email Getting Through?

Blocking of Legit E-Mail Still High When we send an email you just take for granted that the other person has received it, right? Wrong. Before you think that every email you send actually gets to its destination read this....

E-Mail Bounce Management, Simplified

E-Mail Management There is a difference between a hard and soft bounce and if you're not sure what they are have a read over this new article at ClickZ...

Merle's Mission Ezine- Sept 30th Issue

If you'd like to read today's issue of Merle's Mission Ezine online in PDF format here's your chance. Aren't you the luck one? Today's issue looks at finding good keywords for your pay per click marketing campaigns.

Domain Name Registration from Yahoo for 2.99?

Wow! I've been online a long, long time and own many domains myself but I've never seen the pricetag this low. Yahoo Small Business is offering domains for only 2.99 a year, how cheap is that? and with a name like Yahoo you know it's not some fly by night company. If you've been holding off registering some new domains you might want to get busy. At this price you can take all you want...

Google to Offer Wireless Internet Access?

Reuters.com Say it isn't so. Could Google be planning to launch their very own wireless Internet service? Accordign to pages found on their site it's known as "Google WiFi". If it is true it wouldn't surprise me. Google seems to be getting into more and more things lately which makes them the friendly giant everyone loves. Read the story...

Get Your Copy Here!

Merle's Mission Ezine is now posted online in PDF format. View it at
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_091505.pdf

This week's issue looks at Google Adsense and how to tweak it for maximum income performance. If you're not a subscriber, shame on you. If you read it and like it why not sign up.

Google Launches Blog Search

Google Never content to sit back on their laurels Google now is ramping up its blog search capabilites hoping to "index every site that publishes a Web feed"...read the story at ClickZ...

Here Ye...Here Ye..Read All About It

Hey Kids,

Just to update you that Merle's Mission Ezine is now posted online in PDF format at
http://merlesworld.com/archives/MM_083005.pdf

This week's issue looks at some methods of making your website more interactive.

Enjoy!

Merle

Google Revamps Desktop Search Program - BizReport

Google Launches the second version of its Desktop Search Program. Read the full story to see what's been added onto this handy tool.

Merle's Mission Ezine Now Live Online In PDF

Hey Gang,

Just to update you that the latest issue of Merle's Mission Ezine is now live online in PDF Format.

Read it or print it out now:
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_081505.pdf

This week's issue looks at some things you should be
doing in order to improve your website.

Merle out.

Yahoo! Local Trumps Google in Local Search

Local Search Google may be the dominant search engine for searches but it looks like Yahoo get's more traffic when it comes to local searches.....read the full story.

"New Ebook- How to Use Articles to Drive Website Traffic"

I've just written and released a brand new ebook "How to Use Articles to Drive Website Traffic"- It's loaded with everything you need to learn the art and science of article promotion/marketing. To download your 20 page copy go to
http://articleannouncer.mcpromotions.com

Let me know what you think and feel free to give it away to anyone you like.

Thanks
Merle

MSN Details Paid Search Product

MSN MSN plans to jump into the paid search arena with its new program "MSN Keywords" coming soon.....read the full story at ClickZ...

Merle's Mission Ezine Posted Online

Don't miss today's issue of Merle's Mission which covers third party solutions for use with Clickbank. It was sent out in text format as it has been for years but I always convert it to PDF for online posting after so here you go...
http://merlesworld.com/archives/MM_073005.pdf

FTC Gathers Expert Opinion for CAN-SPAM Report to Congress

The FTC has been busy gathering information for it's report due to Congress on Can Spam mid December. Read the story at Clickz...

Podscope- New Pod Search Engine

Podscope Podscope at http://www.PodScope.com is a new Podcasting search engine. It claims to have indexed more than 20,000 podcasts from 3,500 websites. Also, indexes video and personal blogs.

Merle's Mission Ezine- 7/15/05 Issue

Hey Gang,

I hope you're enjoying your Sunday. It's suppose to
be a day of rest but not for me. There's no rest
for the wicked.

Just to let you know that the latest issue of your
favorite ezine "Merle's Mission is now posted online
in PDF Format. I am your fav right?

Read it or print it out now:
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_071505.pdf

Today's issue looks at thing every website owner
doing business online should be doing in order
to be successful.

Merle
http://MerlesWorld.com

If you'd like to add our RSS feed to your reader
to be notified of new issues as they are posted
online, copy and paste the code below.

http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_Ezine.xml


Back issues of this ezine are posted at
http://MerlesMission.com

I'd love to hear your comments at my forum
http://www.merlesworld.com/webbbs/ and

TaxMama's TaxQuips Podcast

TaxMama's Podcast Eva who's aka the "TaxMama" has been an online tax expert for years. Her knowledge is vast and I always learn something from her newsletter. Now she's jumped on the Podcasting bandwagon so hurry over and subscribe to her RSS feed and you'll be notified of new tips as she records them. I highly recommend her stuff. She's awesome!

Doteasy - Get a Free iPod Shuffle When Signing up Thru June 30th

Free iPod Shuffle I love Doteasy. I host a lot of my mini sites with them. They're very reliable, and inexpensive if you need to host multiple website or even a single one. Until June 30th if you register a new unlimited hosting account with them you'll get a free 512 MB iPod Shuffle. How cool is that......better hurry though not much time left.

Free WebBased Email- Mailinator- No Registration Required

Mailinator OK, so web based email addresses are a dime a dozen, but this one is different. No registration is required and you can make up any email address on the fly. For example if I want to be merleATmailinator or contactATmailinator.com then I log into their site using the beginning part of the email address and there's the email. This would be perfect for those times you want to download a free product but don't want to use your business email address and still be able to get the product delivered to your inbox. Very cool! Check it out ...

Third Party Programs Based on Google Sitemaps

Google Sitemaps With the release of Google's new SiteMaps other third party services have relased generators and validators to assit you with this new too. The following are links to programs that support SiteMaps.

Merle's Mission Ezine Posted Online

Today's issue of Merle's Mission Ezine is now posted in PDF format at
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM061505.pdf

This week's issue looks at alternatives to PayPal for your online business. If you use PayPal and no other third party provider you'll want to make sure you know what options you have. Enjoy!

Create Google Sitemaps Online

SitemapsPal Google announced last week a new service called "SiteMaps"....see it here http://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps. The intention of Site Maps is to enable Google to crawl your site more often and faster when you make changes to it. Well, to use SiteMaps you have to use a certain format of code and upload it to your website. My question was how do I make the file? No longer a problem. Today's site, SiteMaps is an online generator that will create the needed file for you. Just enter your domain and generate...check it out...

Where To Submit Your Podcasts

Podcast Directories Robin Good has the skinny on Podcast directories. If you have a podcast you need to get it listed in the various directories that exist for this purpose so people can find you. Robin has collected a nice list to get you started so get busy!

Google AdSense - New Ad Formats

Google Link Units For those of you who run Google Adsense Ads on your websites for some extra cash you know about link units. They came out not too long ago as another format in which you can place ads on your site. Now Google has added to their new family member with some horizontal link units, before they were all verticals. Check it out...

No Time to Listen? Have Your RSS Feeds Read to You

Speakwire RSS newsfeeds Yea, yea, I love RSS feeds and subscribe to about 30 or so but the problem is finding the time to read them all. Enter Speakwire. This new service will read feeds outloud to you. You can choose from the feeds they have listed or copy and paste any feed into the box and prepared to listen. It's pretty cool even if the voice is a bit robotic and stiff. Just think of the benefits you can surf the net or do other work while Speakwire reads the latest updates from your fav feeds. Check it out...

Netimperative - Google works with Web publishers to improve search

Netimperative - Google -New Service: Google has launched a new service called SiteMaps as an additional way to get your website content indexed faster. You can find out more at http://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps.

Google Code: Summer of Code

Google Code: Summer of Code: Calling all wannabe programmers. Google will provide a $4500 award to each student who successfully completes an open source project by the end of the Summer. Google's Summer of Code is now open....."

Google- Personalized Pages

Google- New Service If you like portals like Yahoo's or MSN's then Google's new offering might just be the thing you've been looking for. Take all of the Google features you use on a regular basis and put them all on your very own personalized home page. Add stocks, weather, quote of the day, even drivng directions and more. To register visit the link above.

Merle's Mission Ezine- Latest Issue

If you're not a subscriber to my ezine "Merle's Mission" you should be. You'll love it! Just my opinion of course but I'm full of those. The latest issue has been posted online in PDF format for your reading pleasure, print it out and enjoy!
http://www.merlesworld.com/adtracking/lm.pl?mm051505

Open Media Network- The Future of Public TGV & Radio

Open Media Network: "OMN is a free public service designed to help you enjoy a broad selection of movies, public TV and radio, video blogs and podcasts while protecting producer's copyrights." If you have a podcast you can submit it here.

FTC Seeks Input on CAN-SPAM Tweaks

CAN-SPAM Tweaks Can Spam, did it help? There are people on both sides of this issue but I don't see any improvement on my end. Hundreds of junk emails flow into my inboxes daily. Yikes! Read over some new proposed changes to the act...

Blogger Help : On the Go with Blogger Mobile

Blogger Mobile Want to have some fun with your cell phone? Now you can email your pictures and posts right from your cell phone to your very own Mobile Blog. Leave it to Google to come up with such a cool, fun service. To get your own Blog send an email from your cell phone to go.blogger.com but be aware at this time not all carriers support this service. Read more at Blogger Help...

The Latest Issue of Merle's Mission Ezine Now Online

The latest issue of Merle's Mission Ezine has now been posted online. It's in PDF format so you can print it out easily and at 14 pages you might want to. This week's issue reviews Joel Comm's ebook that explains how to make more money with Google Adsense.

Read it now at
http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_043005.pdf

Yahoo! Search - Video Search

Yahoo Now you can search the web for videos with Yahoo's new video search capabilities. If you fancy yourself some sort of artist you can even upload your own home made movies.

eVoice - Voice mail to Email, Local phone numbers

eVoice Need a phone number for your web based business? Evoice gives you your very own number that takes voice mail messages for you then sends them to you by email. The free service has limitations but if you want more options such as checking your messages from a touch tone phone you can upgrade to the premiun service for only 4.95 a month.

Audioblog.com - Create&Publish Podcasts and Videoblogs

Audioblog.com Podcasting is cool right now. If you'd like to give it a go Audio Blog has a new service that allows you to easily create your own Podcast only RSS feeds that is also compatible with most major blog services. You can Podcast by p hone for up to 60 minutes, record videoblogs using their BlogRecorder, add multiple weblogs and much more. Try it free for 7 days and if you like it a basic account is only 4.95 a month.

GasBuddy.com - Find cheap gas prices in your city

GasBuddy.com The price of gas is rediculous lately. We all know it but unless you want to get out your bike or walk you have to buy it. Believe it or not the price does vary widely depending on where you fill up. Here's a handy dandy search function that allows you to put in your zip code and it comes back with the prices of gas in your neighborhood. Next time you're pinching pennies, try to get the best deal on gas you can.

Google Turns Attention to RSS

Google and RSS Everybody loves Google...right? I know I do. If you've been using their Adsense Program to make money with your website and you also have a Blog you might want to pay attention to the latest news that soon you'll be able to place ads in your RSS feeds too. Read the story at Clickz...

Gmail: Rolls Out Web Clips for Some

Gmail: Help Center: "Gmail Clips shows you news headlines, Gmail tips, blogs, any RSS and Atom feed, relevant sponsored links, and more -- right at the top of your inbox and messages. Receive updates from your favorite sites without having to leave Gmail! " It appears this is not engaged for all users at this time so you'll have to check your settings when logging in to see if you have it.

How to Steal to the Top of Google, part 1

If you have a website and are trying to improve your listing with Google you don't want to miss this informative article that tells you how to do it.
http://www.seochat.com/c/a/Google-Optimization

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Yahoo Free Local Listings

Yahoo has recently opened up it's local search program adding a free 5 page website for your business. This is a great tool if you are trying to drum up local people to your business. This way when someone searches for a business like yours in their neighborhood, you'd be listed. If you have a physical presence you should be doing this asap.

Check it out at
http://listings.local.yahoo.com/

Traffic Secrets Gets a Face Lift!

John Reese released "Traffic Secrets" about 7 months ago and it was a hit from the start. Now John has gathered together over 100 fully documented success stories of those who have used his course to increase their website traffic and sales. Screenshots of their website traffic logs and even their merchant account statements are shown.

Even if you don't plan on buying it you should head over and study the copy. The site itself is a work of art weighing in at over 200 pages if you printed it out. You can learn a lot by studying his techniques. The course (which I own) is over 8 DVD's, 5 CD's, and manuals over 500 pages and is well worth the investment for anyone doing business online. Check it out now at... http://www.trafficsecrets.com/mstinnett

BizSuccessOnline.com's Free Anti-Spam Filter And Text Formatting Tool

Ezine Spam Filter And Text Formatting Tool This online tool is too cool. I publish a few ezines and one of the biggest time waster for me is running it thru a spam checker to see if it will make it thru the majority of filters out there, then I go back and use symbols such as ^ or * in the trigger words. Well, this online tool will not only format your text to a specific character length but it spam checks it and puts the substitution symbols in for you. All that's left for you to do is copy, paste and send. Love this! If you write articles or publish a newsletter you'll want to bookmark this one. I know I did.

merle.jpg

I'm posting this automatically with a really cool online photo sharing
service called Flickr. If you'd like an easy way to add pictures to
your Blog or share them with friends sign up for their service. Basic
is totally free. Go to http://www.FlickR.com

Merle

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Duncan Carver's - Scientific Internet Marketing Assistant - Split Run Testing Application

Duncan Carver is an excellent online marketer. Split testing is where you test different elements of a web page such as your copy, headlines, images, to see what is working best to convert browsers into buyers. Duncan gives away an excellent software package that will help you to test these elements yourself. Get it before he changes his mind and starts charging for it. He's really good.

Google Code

Google Code A brand new site offered up by Google for developers.

Yahoo to Rename Overture Services Brand - BizReport

Here we go again....when Overture started out years ago they were called Goto now Yahoo has decided to change their name again to "Yahoo Search Marketing Solutions". Call me crazy but I hardly think changing Overture's name is a brilliant marketing move. Enough already. After spending years branding their name it appears Yahoo wants to start over.

FireFox Extenstions

Mozilla Update If you no longer use Internet Explorer but have switched to Firefox you may be interested in these add ons. From IRC to Auto Copy, there are plenty of gadgets here so you can get more enjoyment from Firefox as a browser.

PhotoFiltre Graphics Software

http://www.photofiltre.com Free graphics software that's very powerful and compared to Photoshop very easy to use. You'll want to grab this for your graphic toolbox.

How To Make Money With Your Blog Site - Robin Good' Sharewood Tidings

Blogging If you have a Blog and you've been wondering how you can use it to generate some cash this article is for you. It's loaded with great ideas, things I wouldn't even have thought of. Imagine that!

Powerbullet Presenter - Create animated Flash-Presentations | Home

Powerbullet Presenter Want to make cool animated presentations but find Flash just a little too complicated? This free software is a simple program that allows you to create presentations then export them in HTML or as a stand alone .exe program. Two versions, Free and for under 20.00 you can upgrade for more options.

Microsoft Releases the New MSN Search Engine

Microsoft has finally launched its own search technology. It's been a long time coming but can they really give Google a run for their money? Read on...

PHP Designer 2005

Free Software Free PHP editor loaded with features. It combines PHP, HTML, XHTML, CSS and SQL (Ingres, Interbase, MSSQL, MySQL, Oracle, Sybase and Standard SQL) into one single program. If you've been looking for a free editor this might be for you and with a price tag of free it doesn't get much better then that!

Merles Mission Ezine the Newsletter for Webmasters and Site Owners

Merles Mission Ezine The latest issue is now posted online at http://www.merlesworld.com/archives/MM_011505.htm- This week we take a look at Content Management Systems and what they can do for your website.

wsRadio.com - The World Wide Leader in Internet Talk

Live Radio Show: "Entrepreneur Magazine's E-Biz Show with Chris Malta & Rob Cowie
Mondays 9a - 10a PST"- The shows are archived on the site for later listing. Any entrepreneur can learn a lot by listening to these shows.

Yahoo! News - Romanian couple name their son Yahoo

Yahoo! News OK, I've seen everything now. A young couple who met on the Net, marry and name their child "Yahoo"......doesn't that make the kid guilty of trademark infringement. Imagine when he grows up and goes to school the torment the other kids will put him through. Oh well, I guess it's no better or worse then naming your kid "Dick".

CBS News | Defining Google | January 2

Google Interview If you watched 60 minutes last night you saw the interview they did with Google. It was pretty cool to say the least and it was the first inside glimpse into this trendsetting company. If you missed it hop over to CBS's new site and get the scoop and watch the free video. Makes me want to work for Google. Hey, are you hiring?