Certified Media Placement Specialists of The Month

Our Second Place Certified Media Placement Specialist of The Month Contest Winner is Scott C:

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My Personal & Business Vision:

The encouraging success of my “flint knapping” and “arrowhead making” web sites in the past few months is just the beginning of my business adventures on the internet.  Over the next five years, my goal is to harness the power of the internet to build a network of knapping students, advanced flint knappers and collectors of stone tools across North America, as I build a specialized niche business which will provide all the creative and challenging work I wish to handle when I retire from the environmental engineering design career I have pursued over the past twenty years.

Most Important Business Strategy for CMPS Students:

Identify an endeavor for which you have great enthusiasm and harness that passion to create a niche market which you can serve and build … all while you are doing something which you love!  This is the really big concept which I have learned from the CMPS program.  The CMPS business development education has given me a number of coordinated tools which can be deployed to achieve this objective.

An e-Mail Marketing Campaign to Develop My Niche Market:

This media utilization example which I am submitting today illustrates an e-mail marketing campaign, utilizing my growing customer list composed exclusively of customers who have purchased the Beginner’s Flint Knapping Kit from my web sites.  These folks have previously ordered one or more of the Knapping Kit which provides them with instructions, tools and prepared stone pieces … everything they need to begin making stone arrowheads of their own.  I have built the e-mail list by creating an e-mail contact group which includes each new Knapping Kit customer, his or her e-mail address, mailing address for shipping products, and details recording their different purchases and communications with my business web sites.

The first Big Idea of the e-mail campaign is to capitalize on their continued interest and provide additional stone materials and tools with which they can continue their arrowhead making activities.  The initial Knapping Kit provides 12 stone pieces plus the tools which they need.  Most students use up the stone material in a week or two, and will soon need more material.

The second Big Idea of the e-mail campaign is to utilize clickable links to my PayPal shopping cart so that the e-mail reader can place immediate orders for the items offered.  This captures the purchases almost instantly and facilitates a secure order placement for the customer.  In addition to the multiple item shopping cart links, there are single item links for ordering through PayPal on an immediate, secure basis.

First things first, though.  The general subject of my niche market and my web sites is the craft called “Flint Knapping” which is, in broad terms, the production of stone tools and hunting weapons which were used by people all around the world prior to the discovery and mastery of metals.  My newest web site, www.Arrowhead-MakeYourOwn.com, has been on the internet since September 2008.  It has proven to be my most effective gateway or portal for bringing viewers/customers to my other web sites, www.StoneBreaker-FSC.com and www.StoneBreaker-FSC.net.   These web sites offer for sale a number of modern made stone implements, such as arrowheads, spear points, lance points and knife blades; plus some ancient and authentic arrowheads and spear points; all for collectors of modern and ancient stone tools.  The newer web site, www.Arrowhead-MakeYourOwn.com, shows how to begin making an arrowhead of stone and sells a “How To” booklet and also a “Beginning Knapper’s Kit” so interested customers can begin to make their own arrowheads.  The customers run the full gamut of interested folks, from youngsters and their parents and grandparents who want to learn about the outdoor skills of the American Indians, sometimes their direct ancestors, to retired gentlemen looking for a challenging and potentially profitable hobby.

To bring interested viewers and customers to my web sites, I have an ongoing campaign of keywords and sponsored searches on Google and Yahoo.  This is a pay-per-click campaign in which my advertising is offered on the search result pages of persons who have used Google and Yahoo to research and find information about flint knapping, arrowhead making and other related subjects.  Each click on my sponsored advertising connects directly to my associated web site, and is paid for at a low cost per click.

However, this e-mail marketing campaign example is directly related to a different side of the business:  it is a continuing business development tool used to build the relationship and purchases of materials and tools by my previous customers.  These proven customers will be the long term source of my business’s growth and strength.  By building an active communications system with them, I will work together with them to provide the materials they need to continue the development of their interest in learning about and making stone tools, and in turn, this will help my business grow and prosper.

Here, then, is an example of this e-mail campaign, which was sent out just this past weekend (January 24, 2009):

Greetings Once Again, New Arrowhead Makers & Flint Knapping Kit Users,

Since your recent purchase of the Beginner’s Knapping Kit from www.Arrowhead-MakeYourOwn.com, www.StoneBreaker-FSC.com or www.StoneBreaker-FSC.net, I imagine that you have probably used up the stone pieces in the introductory Knapping Kit.

What better thing is there for a new arrowhead maker than a good supply of stone to work?  Or a couple of new tools to help in the effort?  And who has time to go wandering all over the country side looking for stone, especially during the winter months?

So, I would like to extend several special offers, for selections of stone pieces the right size for making arrowheads, and a couple of useful tools.  These will prove to be very timely and useful as you continue your arrowhead making activities:

36-count Arrowhead Maker’s Flint & Obsidian Pack. This package contains a mix of Texas Flint, Arkansas Novaculite, Oregon Obsidian and Oregon Dacite pieces the right size for making Arrowheads.  It gives you about 1.5 pounds of stone pieces.  Just $24.95 plus $9.60 Priority Mail (total = $34.55 ea.).  To place an individual order for the 36-count Arrowhead Maker’s Flint & Obsidian Pack, click this PayPal Buy Now link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2313916

To add the 36-count Arrowhead Maker’s Flint & Obsidian Pack to the StoneBreaker-FSC.com multiple item “Shopping Cart” securely through PayPal, so you can add other items to the same order, click this link:    https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2385547

You will need to enter the correct quantity for each item at the Shopping Cart.  First, change the quantity and then, to update the pricing, press the Update button at the Shopping Cart.  The shipping costs will be calculated by the Shopping Cart when you proceed to the Checkout screen, based on the combined value of the various items in your order.  To calculate the shipping, you will be prompted to input your Zip code.

Priority Shipping Rates

$00.01 to $20.00  –  $7.20

$20.01 to $30.00  –  $9.60

$30.01 to $50.00  –  $14.40

$50.01 to $100.00 –  $19.60

$100.01 and up    –  $24.00

Robust 6″ Pressure Flaking Tool. This more robust pressure flaker is made of a 7/8″ tough structural Nylon handle which is 6″ long, with 2 set screws and a 1/8″ Allen wrench which are used to lock in a 3/16″ copper nail.  This tool will last for many years, and is very useful in pressure flaking almost any knapping material.  The best way to keep the tool tip in good shape is to take out the copper nail and hammer the tip to a four-sided point about 1/4 to 1/2″ in length.  Just keep it cleaned with a file, but don’t do the major shaping with a file.  This uses up the copper too fast.  Hammering hardens and strengthens the working point and does not consume the metal.  This pressure flaker set includes three (3) 4″ x 3/16″ copper nails for future use.  Simply cut off the head of the nail to insert it into the handle.  The cost for the set is $16.95 each, plus shipping.

Add an order for the Robust 6″ Pressure Flaking Tool Set to your Shopping Cart securely through PayPal by clicking on this link:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2385758

Dual-Sided Abrader Block. This dual-sided abrader is just right for edge grinding in pressure flaking work, with two different grit surfaces.  The abrader block measures 2″ x 4″ x 1″ thick.  The cost is $4.00 each, plus shipping.

Add an order for the Dual-Sided Abrader Block to your Shopping Cart securely through PayPal by clicking on this link:   https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2385793

Buffalo Hide Hand Pad. Made of genuine Buffalo (American Bison) hide, measuring 3″ x 5″.  This is a very tough skin and will provide plenty of protection as well as padding for pressure flaking work in your hand.  They last much longer than cow hide.  The Buffalo Hand Pad is available in single thickness or in a permanently bonded double thickness.  The single thickness pad is $4.50 each; and the double thick pad is $9.50 each, plus shipping.

Add an order for the Single Thickness Buffalo Hand Pad to your Shopping Cart securely through PayPal by clicking on this link:   https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2385828

Add an order for the Double Thickness Buffalo Hand Pad to your Shopping Cart securely through PayPal by clicking on this link:   https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2385863

72-count Mega Pack of Arrowhead Maker’s Stone. This package contains a mix of Texas Flint, Arkansas Novaculite, Oregon Obsidian and Oregon Dacite pieces the right size for making Arrowheads.  It gives you about 3 pounds of stone pieces.  Just $49.95 plus $14.40 Priority Mail (total = $64.35 each).  To place an individual order for the 72-count Mega Pack of Arrowhead Maker’s Stone, click this PayPal Buy Now Link:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2312167

Add an order for the 72-count Mega Pack of Arrowhead Maker’s Stone to your Shopping Cart securely through PayPal by clicking on this link:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2385669

When you are finished clicking the items you want, please be sure to view your Shopping Cart, check the quantities, add the Zip code for shipping calculations and complete your Shopping Cart orders by clicking on this secure PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_cart&business=84NL9UTW3UV2U&display=1

Thanks again for your interest in making arrowheads and flint knapping.  Don’t forget to reply with your feedback about your arrowhead making activities and photos if you want to share them on the www.Arrowhead-MakeYourOwn.com new flint knappers’ activity page.

Sincerely,

F. Scott Crawford

Carrollton, Texas

www.Arrowhead-MakeYourOwn.com

www.StoneBreaker-FSC.net

www.StoneBreaker-FSC.com

p.s. Thank you to the folks who have sent in photos of their new arrowheads.  I see excellent creativity and imagination at work.  Soon I will have a new flint knappers’ bragging page on www.Arrowhead-MakeYourOwn.com so we can all see what is being done by new knappers across the country.
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The following is an unpaid commercial message from my flint knapping business enterprise:
You are welcome to visit my new website for New Stone Age arrowheads, spear heads, lance points, knife blades, etc. To take a trip back in time to the New Stone Age, simply click on this link or copy and paste it into to your web browser:
http://www.stonebreaker-fsc.net

This e-mail letter is the second in the campaign.  The first, on January 10, 2009, generated hundreds of dollars in sales of stone materials and tools.  Plus, I have received several photographs which the new knappers have submitted to be included on the “bragging page” on www.Arrowhead-MakeYourOwn.com.   In the next few weeks this page will be added to my web site, and it will grow as more new photographs are provided.  This gives my customers a way to personally participate in the growth of my niche business network.  It also gives me feedback on how they are doing and a way to enhance and improve my business ideas and products.

The PayPal buy now links are set up through my PayPal business account.  You can do the same for an e-mail campaign or use them on your web sites.  PayPal generates the code for each product for a single-item direct purchase or for adding an item to a multiple-item Shopping Cart.  This has proven very beneficial, both to me as a business and to my customers. Family & Business Activities of Benefit to Our Community:

Here at our north Dallas area home this year, we are providing a “Home Stay” residence for an international college student, from Hong Kong, going to school here in the Dallas area.  In addition, we had several Asian college students from the University of Texas at Dallas over to our home for a Chinese New Year’s dinner this past weekend.  So, from that standpoint, our family’s community extends half way around the world, and hopefully we are making a positive contribution and impact which will have a lasting effect.

As far as contributing to my business community, on January third, I had an arrowhead making class with a man and his 11 year-old son, who drove up from Austin to spend several hours learning to break stone in a beneficial manner.  And then a retired gentleman from east of Dallas came by to pick up new flint knapping kit materials and to compare notes about making flint knife and spear points.  He watched the last hour or so of the knapping class and began to see what is involved in making arrowheads.  Since then, I received a very complimentary e-mail from the class participants, who were busily making more arrowheads at home in Austin.  I provided them some local sources for additional knapping tools and cut stone, as I do not personally have the equipment to make the stone slabs which they wanted to use as source material for some knapping projects.

As I say on the web sites, I appreciate the opportunity to share my flint knapping craft with intelligent and curious people around the world who are interested in preserving one of the important skills of the past and in enjoying the beauty of the natural stone materials utilized by our ancestors for many thousands of years in all corners of the world.

Bottom line, on all this discussion, is this:  identify an endeavor for which you have great enthusiasm and harness that passion to create a niche market which you can serve and build … all while you are doing something which you love!  That is the really big concept which I am continuing to learn and master through the application of principles which are available to you through the CMPS program.

Sincerely,

F. Scott Crawford

Carrollton, Texas

Flint Knapper and Web Master

www.StoneBreaker-FSC.net

www.Arrowhead-MakeYourOwn.com

p.s.  I have attached a 3-minute video presentation of some of the marketing concepts which are used in the deployment of my web sites, showing Google search results, links between related web sites, pages from the web sites, the specialized publications promoted on the web sites, and, of course, “product as hero” photographs of some knapped arrowheads, spear points, knife blades and other implements which are offered for sale on my web sites.  Turn the music up and enjoy!

Our Third Place Contest Winner Jarone’s Entry:

I am unable to go ALL OUT like I would like to, and put up a video explaining my reason for why I believe I should be the student of the month, but I promise this will be just as good.  I started with this program almost two weeks ago now.  When I first read about Mary Gersten’s CMPS program, I was immediately attracted to the information that I was presented.  I typed in my information, but couldn’t get started at that moment.  Over a few months I had received many e-mail’s as well as one enveloped mail from the Global Cashflow Network.  I knew that this was something I absolutely had to do after reading up on the company.  When I finally was able to get going just a couple weeks ago, I felt that I was definitely making the proper steps towards achieving my future goals!  Now all I have to do is complete the simple steps to success that have already been laid out for me.  This program has great mentors/coaches, and the right tools provided for each member to maximize our chances for success.

I am currently working on a 30 day plan of action that will then turn into a 90 day plan of action.  With this road map, I plan on accomplishing much in the CMPS program.  Within the first 30 days, I will have completed my 14 step checklist and begun taking my business to the next level.  I will also have a domain name for my business.  Over the following 60 days, I will consistently write articles, make videos, and do blogs.  I will also have gotten started with one of the Ultimate Traffic System options.  The immediate 3 month goal is to generate between $3,000 and $5,000 a month after the 90 day plan of action.  I have a few other business ideas that I will begin to put into action after I’ve mastered the art of marketing online.  In 5 years or more, the CMPS program will have definitely helped me reach my goals!  Due to the skills I will have learned from the program, I will have multiple streams of income coming from the different on and offline businesses that I will develop.  This includes a marketing company that will teach people the importance of financial literacy and investing, and an entrepreneur focused t-shirt company.  These are only a couple examples of the different businesses I plan on growing in the coming years.  Offline, I want to start an organization called the “Young Entrepreneurs Society”.   We will mentor children and teach them about business ownership and managing their finances.  The idea is to get the kids to begin thinking outside of the box and dream BIG.  Then we will teach them how to take that dream and slowly but surely put in the action that will help them reach that dream.

A tip that I would give to other CMPS students is to make sure you plan and follow the given steps.  There is a formula that is proven, and if you use that to your advantage, then skies the limit.  Also make sure that you contact your coaches with any questions that arise.  That is what they are there for.  USE THEM!  The main thing is to act.  You do not want to procrastinate or commit analysis paralysis.

Since I’m recently getting going with the program, I have yet to actually write an article or anything of that nature.  I have read a few from the e zine articles web site to get an idea of how they are written.  What I have accomplished is writing my story on my 24 hour web cash site, and creating my electronic signature, which reads:

“Build a Business at Your Own Pace, and Reach the Success You’ve Always Wanted!  Get the Details Now: MAKE MONEY NOW”.

I do need to figure out how to make my link clickable though.  I’ve been having some difficulties with that, but it will get figured out shortly.  In all, I know that this program will get me where I want to be in this year and in life in general.

-Jarone J.

www.24hourwebcash.com/jackson3110