5 years ago I started a 90 day Facebook Live Challenge. I got to Day 24 and stopped. 😢
Now I'm back…
On Day 1 we talked about how and what these Facebook lives will do for you and me, I challenged everyone to join the challenge with me, we talked about marketing, and since it's Taco Tuesday I shared what tacos I ate today. 🙂
If I missed posting any links for you mentioned in this live, please let me know and I'll post them here…
See you tomorrow!
Here's the replay…
If you've been on Facebook very long you probably at least know someone who has been put in what we call “FB Jail”. This is where Facebook restricts your account for a certain number of days because of something they say goes against their terms of service.
Now first let me say that MOST of the time they DID post something that goes against their terms of service. Just because you think something is ok, doesn't mean that it is. And, at the end of the day it's Facebook's rules and we're just playing their game. They can do whatever they want.
So, you have two options… Play along or quit the game. 🤷♀️
I have been in FB Jail for some stupid things. Like the time I posted a picture of my feet and my cousin said he wanted to tickle them and I commented that I would kick him if he ever did that.
BAM!
3 days in Facebook jail for threatening someone…
Sometimes they are absolutely ridiculous, but I chalk it up to “the cost of doing business”.
Facebook is a great way for me to market my business, interact with my tribe, and it's fun, so I just play their game.
Now today I posted about building the new TacoAboutMarketing.com brand, and second after I made the post not only did they remove the post, but they put me in Facebook jail stating my post went against their community standards on human exploitation.
WHAT????
How does THAT post have anything to do with human exploitation?
Luckily I was able to appeal it, and they said they were wrong, put my post back on Facebook, and let me out of FB jail.
I'm free!!!
So the point of this post is two fold…
I encourage you to follow me on all of my social media platforms. Here are all the links/accounts…
Facebook – http://www.Facebook.com/liztomey
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/liztomey
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/liztomey
Twitter – https://twitter.com/liztomey
YouTube – https://youtube.com/liztomey
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/liztomeyoninternetmarketing
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@liztomey
Second… You don't necessarily need to be on EVERY social media site out there, but find the ones that work for your business and your niche. Build out your profile on each. Build a following on each.
Why?
Well because you never know when they will kick you off, put you in their jail, and/or disappear. Plus not everyone is using the same social media sites so you have more chances to get more people into your business by using multiple social media channels.
If you want to learn how to use social media marketing in your business I have a workshop for each of the BIG social media sites. You can see them all at https://learningim.com/all-workshops-w
I recommend you start with one social network at a time, and as I said, build your profile CORRECTLY and build a following. And then move on to the next one. Rinse and repeat.
So, for now… I'm out of FB Jail and I look forward to sharing all my funny and crazy posts about life and lots of stuff about marketing. See you over there!
There are a lot of tutorials, courses, blog posts, and the list goes on and on all about website traffic, but if you don't know these three things you're going to keep on struggling with getting website traffic. In just over 7 minutes I'll give you the REAL truth about traffic. Check out the video below and if you'd like to learn tons of traffic strategies from me then make sure and checkout my Learning IM Workshops!
This is a follow up video to my last Techy Stuff Tutorial. You'll want to watch that before watching this one.
It's at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKyBXL1D9TQ
In this video I'll show you how to setup a blog to use in your marketing.
I'm starting all the way from installing it and covering how to pick a theme and plugins and getting it looking just the way you want! I've done a video like this before, but with all the new updates and changes I have done this one brand new for 2021.
Here is a link to the page that has all the resources I was pointing to in it http://imwithliz.com/online-business-resources-by-topic/blogging-resources
If you have comments or questions just leave them in the comments below…
Instagram is one of the Internet's giants when it comes to traffic, and if you know how to use the site right you can get a ton of that traffic into your own business.
You can literally make that traffic flow to anything you want…
Your lead capture (squeeze) pages, sales pages, blog posts, affiliate links, and anything else you have that you want to put in front of people.
But let's face it… You can't just post “whatever” and get a ton of traffic. You have to know how to use Instagram and what you need to do so that you can get all of the traffic you possibly can.
Bottom line… If you're not using Instagram correctly you are wasting your time! 😭
So today I want to give you a quick Instagram strategy that you can start using right now to funnel the traffic on Instagram into YOUR business.
Let's go through this step-by-step…
Step 1: Know And Understand How Instagram Works
Now this step seems obvious, but I see a lot of people who are struggling with Instagram and their biggest problem is they don't truly understand how Instagram works.
Yes it's ANOTHER social media site, but every social media site works a bit different, and has different areas. With Instagram you have regular posts, Stories, Reels, and IGTV. You need to make sure that you understand the purpose of each of these areas and which ones you will use.
HINT: I highly recommend you use and get good at each area individually before you move on to a different area. Figure out just posting on Instagram first, then maybe move on to stories, and then IGTV, and finally Reels.
Once you understand how Instagram works and decided on what areas of it you will focus on then it's time to move on to Step 2…
Step 2: Have An Optimized Profile
99% of the time when someone tells me they aren't getting any traffic from Instagram, I go to their profile, and right away I see why. There profile isn't optimized! You have to setup your Instagram profile correctly or you will NEVER see any traffic.
Here's a quick run down of what you need to do with your account…
1. Make sure you're using a Business Account.
2. Include keywords in the Name section. Use your main keyword here.
3. Make sure you username is your name or your brand/company name.
Hint: You should be using the same username on ALL social media sites for you/brand/company. Example: I use liztomey for my main marketing brand, and every account I have that's my username.
4. Have a profile picture that is YOU or your logo.
5. Your bio needs to have a few things in it, and you have very little space to get it all in. Your main keyword, your main hashtag, exactly the solution you provide, and a strong call to action are all important. You've got to work to get this all in your little bio.
6. A link! This is going to be different for everyone and will depend on your strategy.
ALL of those things are important to your profile and of course there's a lot more that goes into each thing, but those are the things that you need to focus on.
In the Instagram Traffic Takeover Workshop I cover optimizing your profile, so if you'd like to learn this important step make sure you grab a seat in this workshop at https://www.LearningIM.com/InstagramWorkshop
Step 3: Have A Hashtag Strategy
Hashtags are the #1 way people will find your posts on Instagram. You've got to know which ones to use, how many to use, when, where, and how often.
If you don't have a complete hashtag strategy you will NEVER get traffic from Instagram. This is a vital piece of the puzzle, so make sure you get this down, and you continually work on it.
YES! Your hashtag strategy is always in development. 🙂
In the Instagram Traffic Takeover Workshop I show you my exact hashtag strategy and how you can develop your own from scratch. I developed this from lots of trial and error and it works really well! If you'd like to learn my strategy then come join me in this workshop at https://www.LearningIM.com/InstagramWorkshop
Step 4: Know And Understand Instagram Content
Now of course there's only images and videos that can be posted to Instagram. You can add a caption with text, but people are on Instagram to SEE.
For my LizTomey.com brand I focus on motivational content, educational content, and bonding content.
I use image/video quotes, memes (images and videos), gorgeously designed graphics to promote my blog content and other money makers, pictures and videos of my daily life, etc.
And each piece of content has a goal!
Sometimes it's to advertise something that makes me money. Sometimes it's to allow my followers to get to know me, sometimes it's content JUST to get more followers.
You need to decide what kind of content you will use and have a goal for every piece of content that you post on Instagram.
And, YES!, I do cover the different types of content, creating content, and what to use the different types of content for in the Instagram Traffic Takeover Workshop 🙂
Step 5: Use The RIGHT Automation Strategy
It's only been in the last few months that I've started using automation in my Instagram traffic strategy.
Why?
Because Instagram cracked down big time on autoposting to their site. There are only certain companies who provide automation solutions and are authorized and comply with Instagram.
If you're not using the right automation solution in the right way then you will never see much traffic from Instagram, AND even worse you could get banned totally.
Automation is the key to saving a ton of time on your Instagram strategy, but be very careful with using automation!
Step 6: Work Daily To Get Followers
This is the BIG thing. Your followers are where MOST of your traffic is going to come from and besides hashtags there are many other ways to get followers on Instagram.
The bad thing… Many of those ways get you “bad followers”. People who never interact with you and will never spend money in your business.
You want followers that like your content, comment on your content, come into your business, and spend money with you. I mean it's great to have a ton of followers. That number looks great, but if it's JUST a number then what is it doing for your business?
Nothing!
You want to use tactics that get you REAL followers that are going to do things to make you money! I have a whole arsenal of tactics I use and I'll be sharing them all in the Instagram Traffic Takeover Workshop.
The main thing you need to understand is there are more tactics than just using hashtags to build a good strong following, AND you don't have to have a HUGE following to get results!
Step 7: Have A Day To Day Instagram Plan
Last, but most importantly… Getting traffic from Instagram is NOT a set it and forget it kind of thing.
You have to work daily (even if it's only 15-20 minutes) to keep getting traffic from Instagram.
Creating content, posting content, using your hashtag strategy, using other strategies to get more followers, interacting with your followers, are all things you will need to do, and by having a daily strategy you can get it all done quickly and in a way that keeps tons of traffic coming into your business.
Okay… So I kept this as short as possible and of course there's a lot more that goes into each step, but at least this little guide will get you started on the right path and show you what you need to know to get started with getting traffic from Instagram.
If you'd like to learn every part of this, and see how I'm using Instagram to get traffic into my business so you can do the same thing I invite you to participate in my Instagram Traffic Takeover Workshop at https://www.LearningIM.com/InstagramWorkshop
I cover all 7 of these steps and more in this workshop (and MORE), and by the time you go through it (5 easy daily lessons) you will be an Instagram expert and have all the know how to use Instagram to create a never ending stream of traffic into your business!
https://www.LearningIM.com/InstagramWorkshop
If you have any questions about what I've covered here, just leave your comments below.
I wish you much success on your Instagram journey. Not only can you get a TON of traffic with a good Instagram traffic strategy, but it's so much fun too!
The other day I did a video showing you my first step on my journey to automate my social media posting.
Until the last few months I've been VERY anti social media software. I still am for the most part, but there are a few tools out there that are reputable and actually work.
Listen… You've got to be super careful what software you're using to post to your social media accounts. If the developer/owner isn't 100% following the rules for EACH of the social media sites they post to your posts may never get seen and you could even lose your account.
So I've preached and preached to stay away from them… PERIOD!
However I know a few that have great relationships with these social media companies and are following all the rules and regulations to a T!
If you missed that video you can see it at https://youtu.be/Rzo2Yv2hszk
In that video I told you guys I would do a bonus video if you wanted me to showing exactly how I use these two tools to make posts. You can use them for scheduling and everything. Imagine being able to sit down in ONE day and schedule ALL of your social media posts. You can. 🙂
You guys asked that I do this follow up video, so here it is!
>>>https://youtu.be/HLLhYp09hPY
I'm showing you my social media posting ritual for one off promotional posting. You can also schedule too, but in this video specifically I'm just showing how I post to all my social media channels for ONE niche.
Check it out, and if you have questions on how to do this please leave them in the comments at https://youtu.be/HLLhYp09hPY
There's nothing for sale here. I'm just educating you guys on my NEW social media journey. To help me out on YouTube please like the video, subscribe to my channel, and/or share the videos for me. I'd REALLY appreciate it. Most of you stay pretty quiet, and it helps me be a better teacher when I hear from you, so let's get more social. 🙂
Okay… That's it for today. I'm working on a new “ready to go” tool for you guys, AND I have a new workshop I'll be launching, so keep your eye on your email. We're 10 days from the end of the first month of 2021 and there's still so much to come!
Talk soon!
Liz
I've been talking about the ready to go systems I offer from ReadyToGoSystems.com a lot lately. So, I've done a video called “The Whole Enchilada” showing you how to use all of these in ONE automated way.
Check out this quick video giving you the whole enchilada…
Here are all the links to all current ready to go systems…
1. Ready To Go List Building System: The Internet Marketing Niche Version – https://readytogosystems.com/sp/your-own-squeeze-page-v1
2. The Ultimate Affiliate Marketing Funnel: List Building Edition – https://readytogosystems.com/sp/your-own-affiliate-system-v1
3. The Ultimate Affiliate Marketing Funnel: Website Traffic Edition – https://readytogosystems.com/sp/your-own-affiliate-system-v2
4. The Ultimate Online Business System – The PLR (Private Label Rights) Edition! – https://readytogosystems.com/sp/your-own-online-business-v1
I've been building and marketing online businesses for a long time. Since 2004 and in Internet years that's like 300 years. 🙂
I'm kidding, but I have been around for quite a while and I have seen so many things come and go when it comes to marketing and traffic tactics.
Something that has been around for years that I get asked about all the time is SEO (search engine optimization).
My broad view on it is that it's a waste of your BUSINESS time, and it's basically something that a lot of people make money with in not so ethical ways.
Meaning…
1. Spending a bunch of time working on SEO'ing your entire site and having that as your main focus for traffic (to me) is a complete waste of time. Especially when you're in an ultra competitive niche.
With so many changes in the search engines you never know when you're site is going to get dropped in the results or totally removed. It's VERY time consuming to stay on top of things, and do things the right way.
2. People create crappy software that you THINK you need so THEY make the money. Often times the software doesn't work, or quits working.
3. People offer crappy SEO services that either don't work or they don't follow through on, and YOU don't get any results.
In niches outside of Internet marketing I have a very simple strategy.
I setup a content site that is related to a broad niche that my niche is in.
Example: I have a health (broad niche) content site, but I'm in little niches in the health niche and the site only has content on these niches.
I then focus on long tail keywords and create a piece of content for the site just on these long tail keywords. I have anywhere from 5-10 content pieces (blog posts) created for the content site PER long tail keyword.
I focus PER piece of content in getting it ranked.
My content site is also on a totally different server with a totally different hosting company than the money sites that this content points people to.
I also need to state that this is REALLY good content that keeps people reading. It's not trash created for $5 for 500 words.
AND… I don't spend much time at all on these content sites. I hire people to do it for me. Because the amount I pay people each month to do this stuff for me, I make more money back (MOST of the time) each month. It doesn't make sense for me to do the SEO myself.
This keeps me from having to stay on top of what is and isn't working for SEO, and keeps me from buying crappy stuff related to SEO.
You wont see me teach SEO.
I'd rather spend my time optimizing videos for YouTube search or optimizing my Pins for Pinterest search because I get way more traffic from that stuff anyway.
Side Note: If you want to learn Pinterest marketing from me click here. If you want to learn YouTube marketing from me click here.
So… That's my two cents on SEO.
I've created this post for two reasons…
1. I get asked my thoughts on SEO so much that I needed a place to post a full answer so I can send people here when they ask.
2. As a discussion piece and based on comments here I will expand on what I've covered here, so… Use the comments below and let me know of any questions or comments that you have and I will update this post as needed.
I've been quiet over the last 2 weeks due to Thanksgiving and then… I took an entire week OFF after Thanksgiving just to recover from the last few months.
I've been working non-stop lately on several different brands and projects and I just needed to take a step back, catch my breath, and “refill my tank”.
We are in the last few weeks of the year and I've still got some big stuff to do, so I needed some big energy.
If you can take a few days off and just “veg out” please do it. Down time is just as important as focused work time.
I had an amazing Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family along with AMAZING food (I cooked it ALL this year).
You can see the “spread” I put out this year here… https://youtu.be/CntMZzEWPKo
I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving too!
Anyway… I had someone in one of my Facebook groups ask me about what they should be posting on social media for their business.
That's a hard question to answer because there are so many variables…
What is your goal of your content? Make a sale? Get eye-balls in front of your content? Build your list?
What kind of content does your audience respond to?
Which social media site are you using?
There are so many and each has an audience that likes different stuff!
And more!
But I've made a little guide to help you understand what kind of content to TYPICALLY create for each of the BIG social networks.
Check it out at https://dfysocialmarketingcontent.com/blog/what-content-type-works-for-which-social-media-networks
Okay that's it for now…
In the next couple of weeks I have TWO new things coming out that I'll be telling you about that are really going to help you out if you're in the Internet marketing and/or make-money online niche, so stay tuned 🙂
Talk soon!
Liz
Here we go… The final update on what I've been calling “The PayPal Issue”.
I am officially away from PayPal as my payment processor. Not because my account was shut down. I still (at this time) have a PayPal account, but I'm choosing to walk away from them before they choose to walk away from ME!
Side Note: If you've missed what's going on see my Facebook posts on the issues at…
Post 1: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2277548948935058&id=100000399258867
Post 2: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2282629025093717&id=100000399258867
Post 3: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2376849392338346&id=100000399258867
I have a blog post where I sum these up at http://liztomey.com/blog/saying-goodbye-to-paypal
Okay on to the goods here…
I started this journey in April of 2019 and it's now the middle of August 2019. Almost 4 months of research, reaching out to people, back and forths with merchant accounts, and the list goes on and on.
I kept hitting “walls” and I didn't stop until I got through them. That's how you have to be with EVERYTHING when it comes to creating an online business. You do everything you can to get through anything that tries to stop you from reaching your goals.
That's not what this is about though so I'll save my “Tony Robbins speech” for another day. 😉
This post is to help those of you who are looking to get away from PayPal and who are using JV Zoo and/or WarriorPlus as a vendor or as an affiliate.
First off, you've got to look at this from two different sides.
If you're an affiliate and you want to get away from PayPal it's pretty simple. A few settings and you're done.
If you're a vendor though there are a few things you need to do.
I want to talk about these things separately in this post to help your brain keep them separate. If not you'll get super confused. I'm both an affiliate and a vendor and my biggest problem I had with understanding all of this was keeping those two things separate.
So let's start with…
This was a WAY easier process for me compared to what I thought it would be.
With JVZoo you need to make sure you have a JV Zoo Pay account setup properly. When you want to promote a product make sure that the vendor is using JV Zoo Pay to pay you your commissions. This will be listed on the Affiliate Details Page where you get your affiliate link.
When you promote the product and make sales all commissions instantly go to your JV Zoo Pay account. You can then withdraw your commissions into your bank account or Payoneer account. You can also withdraw into your PayPal account, but the whole point of this is to get AWAY from PayPal. 🙂
I have my JV Zoo Pay account setup so that when I have $500 in commissions they are automatically deposited into my bank account.
A little note here… Some vendors use Stripe to process their payments on JV Zoo. They have to pay you manually. This will be noted on the Affiliate Details Page too. (See the second circle above.) I ONLY promote vendors I personally know if they are going this route. I don't like having to figure out who owes me money with affiliate programs. That's why my main rule with promoting something on JV Zoo is that if they aren't paying via JV Zoo Pay I'm not promoting their product.
Here's the short of it… The only way you can get your commissions into your JV Zoo Pay account is if the vendor processes payments via PayPal or Bluesnap (which is a merchant account). You then withdraw your commissions in your chosen way. To your bank account or Payoneer account.
Now with Warrior Plus it's simply going in and changing a setting in your account so everything is sent to your Warrior Plus Wallet. Then you can withdraw into your bank account. Again you can also withdraw into your PayPal account, but uh… We're getting away from PayPal here. 🙂
The setting for this is hard to find…
Upper right hand corner from the drop down menu select My Account, then Merchant Accounts, then go to Settings and turn ON Force Wallet (Affiliate/Partner).
I can withdraw my available affiliate commissions from my Warrior Plus Wallet into my bank account.
So that has me totally away from PayPal being an affiliate on Warrior Plus and JV Zoo.
Now for those of you who are vendors. Hang on to your hats! 🙂
Again, we will start with JV Zoo.
Your options with JV Zoo are to get a merchant account with Bluesnap or Stripe in order to get away from PayPal.
Stripe doesn't work with JV Zoo Pay though so you have to manually pay your affiliates. I'm not willing to do that. I want to automatically pay my affiliates.
So, I am using Bluesnap so commissions are automatically put into the JV Zoo Pay accounts of my affiliates. I really wish I could use Stripe over here. I DO like it better than Bluesnap. I get my money quicker and the reporting is better.
When the customer buys via a JVZoo button, Bluesnap and JVZoo work together (with some unicorn magic or technology or whatever) and put the affiliate's commission into THEIR JVZoo Pay account, gives JVZoo their fees, and leaves my profits in my Bluesnap account.
This is all done automatically…
Note: See JVZoo's documentation on selling on their platform at https://jvzoo.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/200334067-Sellers
No money comes into my PayPal account. It's all processed by Bluesnap and they automatically deposit my profits into my bank account.
Once you have your Bluesnap account setup and your JV Zoo Pay account then when you setup a product you simply select Bluesnap to process your payments and to pay affiliates with JV Zoo Pay.
So make sure that you get the accounts setup before setting up your product. The initial account setups is what takes the most time. Once you have them setup you just select what you want to use to process payments when you create products moving forward.
On the vendor side of Warrior Plus…
They only allow you to process payments through PayPal or Stripe. Bluesnap isn't an option over there.
Over there I'm processing payments with Stripe and affiliate commissions are paid into the affiliates Warrior Plus Wallet. Then they can withdraw in their chosen way.
Like with JV Zoo you have to get your accounts setup. I had to setup my Stripe account in there, and then when I setup the product I have to select that I'm processing via Stripe.
So when a customer purchases through a Warrior Plus button Stripe and Warrior Plus work together (again with unicorn magic I think) and aput the affiliate's commission into THEIR Warrior Plus Wallet, gives Warrior Plus their fees, and leaves my profits in my Stripe account.
Stripe deposits my profits into my bank account daily.
And again… This is all done automatically.
Note: See Warrior Plus's documentation on selling on their platform at https://help.warriorplus.com/en/collections/170745-selling-on-warriorplus
The big take away here with BOTH of these is that you have to get your “processing” accounts setup first, and then when you setup your product to get your buy buttons is when you select what you use to process payments and pay affiliate commissions.
I have now done FOUR launches using BOTH JVZoo and WarriorPlus and many have asked me which one I prefer.
Warrior Plus or JVZoo?
I've thought long and hard about what I would say here, and even if I would even say anything at all.
Why?
Well it goes back to the old saying…
“You don't poo where you eat.”
I no longer “eat” at PayPal so I'll “poo” all over them. I wont however speak ill of either JV Zoo or Warrior Plus because I “eat” at both of these places. Both have their pros and cons.
Let me say that one more time…
Both. Have. Their. Pros. And. Cons.
Like I hate how “clunky” and confusing WarriorPlus can be.
I also hate that I can't easily tell who pays how and what without some digging on JV Zoo.
I do have a favorite and it's JVZoo.
There are many reasons and some of those reasons I wont discuss. 😉
Both have their pros/cons (as I said), but what makes me say JVZoo is hands down the best is…
1. I personally know the CEO of JVZoo. Laura Cassleman!
NEVER has a CEO ever reached out to me personally to help me with my business. Laura cares about her JVZoo affiliates and it shows. Not only did she go to battle for me with issues with merchant accounts, but has done so for others. Laura is a shining example of what a true CEO is. I can't thank her enough for her help through all of this.
2. The Support team is phenomenal.
I also know several people from the support team personally. 🙂
JVZoo has a support desk and a Facebook group. I think I used the support desk a very long time ago, but I always use the Facebook group and have an answer within 24 hours to my endless questions. Usually in MOMENTS! That's important when you're trying to get a product launched. I need answers and solutions NOW and I get them.
3. It's easier to use.
As a vendor the JV Zoo system is easier to use in my opinion.
Once you have your merchant account and you've gone through all the settings to get it hooked up, using JVZoo to get your funnel setup is easier to use than Warrior Plus. Maybe that's because I've used them for so many years and just get their system or maybe it's because it is in fact just easier to use. *shrugs*
What I do like about Warrior Plus BETTER though is that I can use Stripe over there and it automatically pays my affiliates over there into their wallets. I like Stripe better than Bluesnap. From the ease of using it to the reports to them paying out faster than Bluesnap. I just like Stripe better.
So there you go… That's how I've gotten away from using PayPal as an affiliate and a vendor on both JVZoo and WarriorPlus.
It's been a heck of a journey, but I'm really liking running my business without the fear of losing my PayPal account.
Putting all your eggs in one basket is a HORRIBLE idea. I should have NEVER had only one way to accept payments, and I'll never do that again.Click To TweetI currently have 4 ways to take payments. PayPal (I refuse to use that one though) , Bluesnap, Stripe, and Cash App.
Cash App? What, Liz?
I'll be talking about that one in the future. 😉
My next one I'm looking to use is ClickBank, but that probably wont happen until early 2020, so stay tuned.
Until then… Thoughts? Opinions? Questions? Feedback? Let me know in the comments below…