If youve spent any time exploring your computer, youve probably noticed a program called Notepad. To be honest, I never really used the program prior to developing my Internet business, as I simply used my word processing program. Now, I dont know what I would do without it. Notepad is an excellent text editor that has a variety of uses such as writing HTML, editing scripts, and writing ezine articles -- just to name a few.
Writing HTML
When designing a web site, most Internet marketers prefer to use an HTML editor to write their HTML, as it can greatly simplify a somewhat difficult process. However, using an HTML editor has its disadvantages, as they have a tendency to add a lot of unnecessary coding and may not support the latest technologies. For this reason, many Internet marketers prefer to write the code themselves with Notepad.
Although writing HTML code with Notepad will certainly be more time consuming, your code will be much cleaner and can reduce your file size considerably.
Editing Scripts
When managing a web site, scripts are used to add interactivity. Theyre used to perform a variety of tasks such as form processing, message boards, and database management.
When using scripts for your web site, most of the time, you will be required to edit portions of the script such as the location of Perl on your server, paths to files and variables. Any editing you do must be done within a program that wont add any special formatting. Notepad is the perfect solution. You can simply open your script within Notepad, edit to suit your needs and upload it to your server.
Writing Articles
Writing ezine articles is one of the most powerful promotional methods used on the Internet. When formatting an article for publication, you should avoid using your standard word processing program, as they do not allow for proper formatting.
As there are many different types of email programs, writers must format their articles to accommodate the majority. Some email programs automatically wrap text at a certain number of characters -- while others wont wrap the text at all. If an article isnt properly formatted, many email programs will either force a portion of the sentence to the next line, or even display each paragraph as one long line.
Articles should be formatted to 65 characters per line or less, including spaces, and written in short paragraph sections. This guideline has become the standard on the Internet, as it is a safe line-length for a majority of all email programs.
Notepad is the preferred program used to write and format ezine articles.
Although Notepad is a great little text editor, it cant handle large files and is much better suited for small jobs. You may find that youd like an editor that is a little more powerful. I use a great program called NoteTab Pro. This powerful editor will enable you to edit large files, format your text, convert your text to HTML, and even includes a spellchecker and thesaurus.
NoteTab Pro
http://www.notetab.com/
NoteTab is available in three different versions:
* NoteTab Pro - A full version text and HTML editor. Cost $19.95
* NoteTab Light - The freeware version of NoteTab Pro. Its completely free with no ads or nag screens
* NoteTab STD - Identical to NoteTab Light, except it includes some additional features such as a thesaurus, multilingual spellchecker and more.Cost $9.95
As stated at the NoteTab site, the NoteTab family of editors is composed of three variants. Below is a short list that explains the main differences:
The main advantages of NoteTab Light over NoteTab Pro:
100% Free (no ads and no nag screens)
Can use variable-width fonts
Better support for non-Roman alphabets (e.g. Chinese, Hebrew, etc.)
Main advantages of NoteTab STD over NoteTab Light:
Spell checker and thesaurus
Clipbars -- user-made toolbars
Can read and write outline-type documents
Command for reformatting and justifying lines
Modify and save EBCDIC files
Can search/replace text in disk files
If youve been using your standard word processing program to perform simple editing tasks, consider using a text editor. You may be surprised how easy and convenient these programs really are.
Copyright Shelley Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design Mastery ( ) and eBook Starter - Give Your eBooks the look and feel of a REAL book ( )
Visit to sign up for a complimentary subscription to eTips and receive a copy of Shelleys acclaimed ebook, Killer Internet Marketing Strategies.
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook, or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included.
Developing a successful internet marketing strategy is an essential part of your online success. In order to succeed, you must develop and implement a strategic plan that includes all of the following:
A great product
A website specifically designed to sell
A killer marketing strategy
Each step plays an important role in your overall strategy and must be developed to its fullest potential. If even one step fails, your chances of success will be minimal.
Developing Your Product
Your first step will be to develop a great product. Youre probably thinking thats easier said than done, but its really not. The absolute best product is one that you can develop yourself and deliver over the Internet. With todays technology, there is absolutely no reason why you cant create your own product. The knowledge you have within your own mind is extremely valuable. Everybody is good at something, has a special talent or some specialized knowledge. Use this knowledge to create a product.
The key to developing a great product is exclusiveness. Your product should be unique and not be in competition with hundreds of other similar products. You must give your potential customers exactly what they want. Develop a high-quality product that fills a void to increase your chance of success.
Another consideration of great importance is your target market. Keep in mind, the Internet is a global marketplace. Develop a product with a large geographic target and a wide appeal. A great product will fulfill a need or desire and provide instant gratification.
Here are a few of the top sellers:
Software
Information
Private sites
Internet services
Before you develop your product, do some research -- find out exactly what people want and develop your product accordingly.
The most important consideration when developing your product is quality. Your product should not only deliver what you promise, but should go above and beyond the expected and overdeliver. Your customers satisfaction is of the utmost importance.
Developing Your Website
Once youve developed a great product, your next step will be to develop a great website. Your website must be specifically designed to sell your product.
Everything within your website should have one purpose -- getting your visitor to take action. Words are the most powerful marketing tool you have. The right words will turn your visitors into customers. The wrong words will cause them to click away and never return.
Your words are the entire foundation of your business. Your product, your website and your marketing strategies all depend upon your words. Fancy graphics dont make sales -- words do.
Every word, sentence and headline should have one specific purpose -- to lead your potential customer to your order page. Write your website copy as if you are talking to just one person. Identify a problem and validate that one visitors need for a solution. Continue to write and explain why your product is the solution to their problem. Tell them exactly what your product will do for them -- why it will solve their problems and how. Pack your copy with benefits and more benefits. Write to persuade -- thats the bottom line.
Developing Your Marketing strategies
Your marketing strategy is the final process of your plan. Your plan must include both short-term and long-term strategies in order to succeed.
Short term marketing strategies are those that bring you a temporary boost in traffic. Although these techniques are very important to your over-all plan, they are only a temporary traffic source and must not be solely relied upon.
Short term marketing strategies include:
Purchasing advertising
Bulletin Boards
Search Engines
Long term marketing strategies are those that bring you a steady stream of targeted traffic over time. These strategies will continue to produce results even years down the road.
Long term marketing strategies include:
Opt-in Lists
Freebies
Content
By creating and implementing a balanced marketing strategy, using both short-term and long-term strategies, you will drive a steady stream of targeted traffic to your website.
If you use this simple formula when creating your Internet marketing strategy and excel at all three, you can literally guarantee your success.
Copyright Shelley Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design Mastery ( ) and eBook Starter - Give Your eBooks the look and feel of a REAL book ( )
Visit to sign up for a complimentary subscription to eTips and receive a copy of Shelleys acclaimed ebook, Killer Internet Marketing Strategies.
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook, or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included.