Codie Sanchez knows exactly what she’s doing.

With nearly 2 million YouTube followers, she’s teaching people how to acquire and build real world businesses – no digital moneymaking scams involved. I love her approach to solid business building and Codie’s newsletter is a masterclass in email marketing

Let’s break down her latest newsletter and show you how to improve yours:

The four keys to a solid newsletter – It must have an Intention, be Relevant, Valuable, and Actionable.

First look at this subject line. I want to open it straight away. Because the message is timely. She knows her audience, knows that this next week is going to be crazy. Thanks, US politics.

The intention from the outset – yes, this is happening, but dont lose focus, there’s work to be done, here’s how I can help

Straight off the bat this email is acknowledges how people are feeling, is supportive.

“Stories, frameworks, conversations, and tools you can grab as you need.

They’ll help you focus on what you can do, stay inspired, and most importantly, BUILD.”

Second a clear and concise offer

Then links to her latest content – on topic

Then providing value with an actionable framework – something people can put in place right now

Links to inspirational content and again circling it back to stay on message

Then another tool – an actionable offer. Because you want to make sales from your marketing – that’s the point.

Rounding it all back up.

And now a conversation starter – what do you think?

And a how to get more

So start with Intention, and then make your newsletters Relevant, Valuable and Actionable for your audience.

Find Codie at

Website: CodieSanchez.com

Instagram: @CodieSanchez

YouTube: @CodieSanchezCT

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Fergus has been a long time client of mine. In fact, this is the third website I’ve built for him.

This one is a bit special.

There is a growing movement in New Zealand, and indeed around the world, committed to making our last act one of dignity and compassion.

Visit Death Without Debt NZ.

Have you had a call from someone telling you your website has been blacklisted by Google?

Unscrupulous people give us all a bad name. Because the internet can be the Wild West.

Let’s bust some myths and talk about how to keep your website safe and sound.

The “Google Penalty” myth

This one turns up a lot, especially in comments on your site. “Oh no! Google’s penalizing you!” Hold up – it may look scary but it’s probably not true. No 3rd party can tell you, you have penalities. These only show to the owner via webmaster console. But don’t take my word for it – here’s what you can do:

  • Head over to Google Webmaster Tools.
  • Log in and take a look around.
  • If there’s really a problem, Google will let you know right there.

The Truth About Blacklisting

Here’s the thing: nobody knows exactly why Google blacklists sites. Sure, if you’re doing some shady SEO stuff (we call that “black hat SEO”), you might get in trouble. But sometimes, even good sites get caught in the crossfire. It’s a mystery!

Beware of SEO Scams

Now, let’s talk about those folks trying to sell you SEO services. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

  • Anyone promising “first page of Google” results. That’s like promising you’ll win the lottery!
  • Companies that only talk about building links. SEO is way more than just links these days.
  • If it sounds too good to be true… well, you know the rest.

Trust Your Gut

When you’re talking to SEO companies, trust your instincts. The good ones will ask you questions about your business and really try to understand what you need. They’re not just trying to make a quick buck.

Educate Yourself

It’s always a good idea to learn a bit about SEO yourself. Check out the Moz blog – they’ve got great info on how to hire an SEO company and what to look out for.

Watch Out for Other Scams

While we’re at it, be careful of emails saying your domain is expiring or that someone in China wants to register your brand name. These are often just tricks to get you to spend money.Remember, the internet can be a tricky place, but with a little knowledge and some common sense, you can keep your website safe and growing.

Stay savvy out there!

Hey, Happy New Year.

I just know that good stuff awaits and there is no better time to get your website into shape

Alright, let’s chat about the 10 must-haves for a killer website. Remember, it’s all about your customer, so keep them in mind as we go through this list!

1. Who Are You and What Do You Do?

First things first, your website needs to scream “This is me, and this is what I do!” Make it crystal clear who you are and what you’re offering. And don’t forget to mention who you’re doing it for. Your visitors should know within seconds if they’re in the right place.

2. How Can You Help Me?

This is the biggie. Your potential customers are thinking, “What’s in it for me?” So spell it out! Show them how you can solve their problems or make their lives easier. Make it so clear that even your grandma would get it.

3. Contact Details – Make ‘Em Easy to Find!

Don’t play hide and seek with your contact info. Stick it in the top left or right corner of your homepage. And hey, why not sprinkle it throughout your site? Footer, sidebar, wherever! Give people options too – phone, email, contact form. Some folks even suggest adding your address and a Google Maps link. The easier you make it to reach you, the better!

4. Keep It Simple, Silly!

This goes for your web address and navigation. Make your URL easy to type and say. And please, for the love of all things digital, keep your navigation simple and clear. No one wants to feel like they’re solving a puzzle just to find your “About” page.

5. Show Off Your Social Proof

Let your happy customers do the talking! Customer testimonials are like gold. They build trust and can help seal the deal. So don’t be shy – show ’em off!

6. Tell ‘Em What to Do Next

Don’t leave your visitors hanging. Use clear calls-to-action (CTAs). Whether it’s “Call now for a free quote” or “Sign up for exclusive coupons,” make it obvious what you want them to do next.

7. SEO – Not as Scary as It Sounds

SEO is simply the way people look for information and how search engines serve it up to them. Use the right keywords, throw in some links, name your pages and URLs properly, and don’t forget about images and videos. It’s not rocket science, but it makes a big difference!

8. Quality Content is Reigns Supreme

Good content is great for SEO, but more importantly, it gives people what they’re looking for and shows you know your stuff. So make it count!

9. Break It Down

Nobody likes a wall of text. Break your info into short paragraphs, use headers, bullet points, and highlight important stuff. Make it easy on the eyes, folks!

10. Look Good, Feel Good

Your design should be clean, modern, and reflect who you are. Use relevant pictures that show what you do – don’t rely on stock images. Stick to two main colours to keep it simple and sleek.

Pro Tip:

Get a fresh pair of eyes on your site. Ask someone else to look at it and tell you what they see. Sometimes we’re too close to our own work to spot the obvious stuff!

Remember, your website is often the first impression people get of your business. Make it count!

Alright, let’s break down SEO for small businesses in a friendly, easy-to-understand way. Here’s the scoop on making your website more visible to search engines and potential customers:

What’s SEO All About?

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is like making your website the popular kid at the search engine party. It’s all about improving your rankings and getting more quality traffic to your site.

Now, there’s a lot of snake oil out there when it comes to SEO. But don’t worry! We’re keeping things simple and effective. Remember, it’s not rocket science – it’s just about laying good groundwork that can be built upon later.

The Simple Approach to SEO

  1. Write Awesome Content: Create stuff that people actually want to read. Use words and phrases that your potential customers are searching for.
  2. Make Sharing Easy: Encourage people to share and link to your content.
  3. Keep at It: SEO isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s an ongoing process.

The 5 SEO Strategies You Need to Know

  1. Keyword Research: Figure out what words people are using to find businesses like yours.
  2. Content Creation: Write stuff that answers people’s questions and solves their problems.
  3. Page Optimization: Make sure your pages are set up to impress both Google and humans.
  4. Link Building: Get other reputable sites to link back to you.
  5. Technical Audit: Make sure your site’s working smoothly under the hood.

SEO Basics: Your Starter Pack

  1. Know Your Audience: Understand what they’re searching for and why.
  2. Use Keywords Naturally: Don’t stuff them in everywhere – that’s so 2005.
  3. Structure Your Content: Make it easy to read and understand.
  4. Create Amazing Content: Be the answer to people’s questions.
  5. Link It Up: Both internal and external links matter.

A Word of Caution

Beware of SEO “experts” promising the moon and stars. Good SEO takes time and effort. If someone’s promising instant results or guaranteeing top rankings, they’re probably full of hot air. Read more about some of the unscrupulous tactics here.

The Bottom Line

SEO can be a game-changer for your small business. It helps search engines understand what you’re all about, making it easier for potential customers to find you. Just remember: focus on creating quality content, make your site easy to navigate, and keep at it consistently.With these basics in place, you’ll be well on your way to SEO success. And hey, if you decide to bring in the pros later, you’ll have a solid foundation to build on!

Confused? Need a guide to help you through the online marketing wilderness?

Help Me Net can provide advice and reassurance as you take the plunge. We love building beautiful and effective WordPress websites. And we have a black belt in content strategy, and content creation.

Ready to start your online adventure? Then the best next step is to book a free 20-min Zoom call.