Here's a new idea I gave to one of our members...

Jeffery, one of our first members, owns a company that sells satellite dishes over the Internet only. We have grown up together in this Internet business world. Jeffery has always taken advantage of his membership by asking me for advice.

His latest question was:

Should I pay a company that says they can guarantee me a Top 10 position on the search engines the $1300 fee they require?

Here's my answer:

I have yet to meet a company or individual that can do anything close to predicting where my listing will come up in a search of "MY" keywords. Sure, they can invent something weird and make up a search phrase but to actually get the words, "satellite dish", "DSS dish", "satellite TV" or any words having anything to do with his business is impossible today. They are all taken or sold to advertisers with big budgets that buy keyword banners.

So, I said, "Jeffery, why not take that money, purchase an opt-in list of people that have visited sites like ESPN or Movie sites and requested more information on electronics, satellites or entertainment. Target your audience, go after a smaller audience." I also gave Jeffery some other ideas, "find one search engine you like and work to get good placement one at a time, purchase keyword banners, sponsor a section or start an affiliate program."

Jeffery, took in all the information I gave him. Swallowed hard and said, "Wow, I didn't realize I had so many options!" So, we discussed his options further and he's taking all the new ideas with him back to partners to decide what to do.

In the mean time, I wrote a letter to the company, Top-10.com to invite them to try their program out on the Association. If any company believes their advertising then they should stand by it and prove their talents. I told Jeffery, as I tell all our members, "let me check them out and see if they are good and worth the investment, the $1300 may get you on but will it be enough to keep your site on?"

Here I sit, I haven't heard back from them. It has only been a few days so we'll give it some time. I wrote in my letter that I would YELL to the WORLD to use their services if the statements that they make are actually reality!

AND I WILL!!!!!

By the way, since Jeffery was my guinea pig for this article I will give him a plug. Visit his site at http://www.skyclub.com, tell him Cathy sent you and that you want a discount. Sorry, Jeffery but that was the salesman in me.