What’s the Cost of Adding Value?
“Giving value,” “leading with value,” “providing value,” and “adding value” are all terms familiar to attraction marketers and those interested in attraction marketing. They refer to ways to attract prospects and to build relationships.
But what exactly is “value” and how do you know if you’re giving it or getting it? And, maybe more important, what’s the cost of adding value?
Last post, I gave an example of how one forum post could provide tremendous value.
Let’s take a deeper look at what value is in attraction marketing in terms of “Content” and “Commerce.” Then, I’ll provide an vivid example of both from some recent interactions I’ve had with Raymond Fong and Ferny Ceballos of SEO Networker.
Essential WordPress Plugins for Marketers
Here’s a list of WordPress plugins that an Internet marketer shouldn’t do without. They may not be "sexy" or give your blog that "wow, that’s cool" factor, but these WordPress plugins are essential to the business of your blog.
Utilities
Improved Plugin Installation
Take the hassle out of installing plugins with this time-saving gem. Simply install its bookmarklet on your browser, then when you find a plugin you want to download, click the bookmarklet and it will install that plugin with one click. Make this the first WordPress plugin you install and you’ll be happy you did.
Maintenance Mode
Doing a massive upgrade of your site? This plugin puts up a "Down for Maintenance" splash page asking readers to check back later. Saves you the embarrassment of readers seeing your blog with, err, its pants down.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
All in One SEO Pack
Improve your SEO immediately by installing and using this plugin to add unique titles, descriptions, keywords and other search-engine friendly elements to each post or page. Greatly enhances your visibility on search engines.
Google XML Sitemap Generator
Make it easy for Google, Yahoo!, MSN, and Ask.com search engines to find your blog by sending them an XML file of all your posts each and every time you update. Another plugin that will help you get on the good side with the search engines.
Statistics and Tracking
WordPress Stats
WordPress’s tracking application let’s you track the overall performance. Find out the number of visitors, pageviews, source of traffic, etc. This comes packaged with WordPress-hosted blogs; for blogs you host yourself, you’ll need to install the plugin and get a WordPress API key.
Google Analyticator
Google Analyticator easily adds Google Analytics tracking support to your blog so you can get comprehensive statistics of your blog’s performance. This is Google’s tracking application, which provides the same type of data as WordPress stats, only much more extensive. You’ll need to register with the Google Analytics site and get a Google UID (user ID).
Content Distribution
FeedBurner Feedsmith
Make it easier for your reader to get your content by syndicating it with this RSS feed plugin. FeedBurner can track all of your feed subscriber traffic and usage, and apply a variety of features you choose to improve and enhance your original WordPress feed.
AddtoAny
There are lots of really good social bookmarking widgets that allow your readers to bookmark or share your content on Digg, de.li.ci.ous and a range of other social sites. After trying several others, I’ve chosen AddtoAny because it has a great interface and appears to have the most comprensive listing. Let your readers promote your blog and gain more reach.
Yet Another Related Posts
Add more value to your readers by linking to other, related content on your blog. This plugin takes the tedium out of adding each related link to each post by automatically adding a "Related Posts" section at the bottom of each article.
Affiliate Links
GoCodes
If you have any affiliate links on your site, you’ll need GoCodes. This plugin enables you to mask your affiliate links so they can’t be swapped out or modified, which would cost you commissions. It also allows you to track the click rate of your links. Very useful.
Advertising
Easy Adsenser
Add Google AdSense ads to your posts with this aptly named plugin. Allows you to add AdSense blocks in numerous parts of your posts and will automatically check that you don’t exceed the maximum of three AdSense blocks per page. Nice addition if you choose to ad advertising to your blog.
Wishing You the Best,
Ben Mapp
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