I have found the past meetups to be both interesting and valuable. But at the same time, I realize that they did not necessarily meet the needs of some of the group members.

So with this meetup, I am trying out a new format.

Serif and I have developed an action packed, two hour seminar that is designed to meet the needs of people who:

want to start an Internet based business, or
want to use the Internet to strengthen or expand their existing business,

but who are unsure about how to use the Internet in order to get the most benefit for their new or expanding business.

This is an educational seminar for people are unsure about all of the options and opportunities that are available on the Internet.

This is an information packed, two hour seminar designed to open minds and eyes to the various opportunities available on the Internet and provide information about how to take advantage of those opportunities. This is a basic seminar that will cover many topics. It is not an advanced course designed to cover one specific topic in great detail.

And for the first time I have decided to charge for members who want to attend this seminar.

More information is available at http://www.harperwest.com

Who should attend?
This seminar is for people who currently own or want to start:

A traditional business that sells any product or service; or
A business that is primarily Internet based.

What will you learn?
Topics to be covered:

How do people use the Internet to make money?
Monetizing your site.
Initial considerations: Does the product or service you have or are considering give you the best likelihood of success?
How is it possible to make money by using the internet but without having your own website?
How to create a website.
Website essentials.
Internet Marketing Strategies
How to build traffic 1.
Blueprint to improve your site.
Starting an e-commerce business in a down economy.
Best practices in a down economy
How to build traffic 2: The Power of the Blog
Common Problems to Avoid.

Introductions
New participants can introduce themselves.
Theme 1: How do I make interactive marketing (blogging and social networking) work for me?
Blogging – the good, the bad and the ugly
Social networking – does it work?

Theme 2 (if time permits): Is my product or service the best it can be?
Is my product or service right for the Internet?
What differentiates my product or service?
Should I modify my product or service?
How do I tell if it is time to abandon what I am selling and look for something different?

Talk about themes for future meetings.

Introductions

Members can introduce themselves, and if they want, briefly describe the type of Internet business they have or are considering.

Types of Internet Businesses

Identify the types of Internet businesses that are possible.
Compile a list of the types of Internet business that interest members of the group.

Developing Strong Promotional Messages

Identify approaches and techniques for developing strong promotional messages.
Summary of Doug Hall’s approach described in Jump Start Your Business Brain. I am reading this book right now, and it seems to me to provide valuable insight into how to structure promotional messages. I will describe that approach briefly.
Work as a group to develop a promotional message for a particular product or service. I will select a real-life example for this exercise. If you have a product or service that you would like the group to consider, please e-mail me.

If you have an idea about a subject you would like to see discussed in a future meetings, please e-mail me.