A checklist of 10 basic skills in Internet Marketing

Came across this articles from one of the Internet Marketing Guru, Jo Han Mok. The top 10 basic skills one should master, if you're dead serious about being able to set up websites that can really crank out cash.

Getting Started Skill #1: Registering a domain and getting it hosted.

Getting Started Skill #2: Basic Cpanel understanding and administration. (setting up email accounts, checking traffic stats, etc)

Getting Started Skill #3: FTP (By far the most ’scary’ for most newbies possibly cos the term file transfer protocol is a tad initimidating, although once you get it, it’s as simple as drag and drop.)

Getting Started Skill #4: Understanding how autoresponders work and how to set up mailing lists

Getting Started Skill #5: How to create an opt-in form

Getting Started Skill #6: How to create a properly formatted sales letter with proper tabling

Getting Started Skill #7: How to create a payment button/link and thankyou page

Getting Started Skill #8: How to set up a blog using fantastico

Getting Started Skill #9: How to create a PDF

Getting Started Skill #10: How to add video/audio to your webpage

Other basic web graphics editing skills using Adobe Photoshop, FrontPage, Dreamweaver or NVU will enhance your website design further.

For newbie, it might be intimidated by all these skills. However, with the "CAN DO" mindset, after much practice, one should be able to execute the above skills confidently.

"Taking action now" and "not procrastinating " and also to be realistic in your expectation of having big returns are just as important factors needed to be in Internet Marketing business.

What do you think? Feel free to leave your comments.

More About Singapore

A Global survey has found Singapore to be among the countries where it is cheapest for expatriates to raise their children.

Singapore emerged fourth cheapest, after Spain, India and China, in a survey by HSBC Bank International of 870 expatriate parents across 14 places, ie : Spain, France, Germany, Canada, Singapore, US, Australia, India, China, Belgium, Hong Kong, Netherlands, United Kingdom & UAE.

My next issue on water and sanitation. Singapore is emerging as a compelling example worth emulating by several countries in Asia and other parts of the world.

Thirty years ago, Singapore also experienced the same sort of water problems that many Asian developing countries still face. Not every country can afford to provide 24-hour piped supply in the home. For example, in most cities in India, municipal water supply is still available, on average, for less than four hours a day.

In one to two decades, Asian developing countries are likely to face a crisis in sanitation and wastewater manangement Several cities in Asia are not fully equipped with sewers.

Wastewater treatment is not merely for cleaning up the environment. Treated wastewater can also complement the water supply needs of the population. With the new generation of membranes and affordable technologies.

Singapore has shown that it is now possible to treat wastewater at 25 US cents ( 38 Singapore cents) per cu m. Singapore's reclaimed water, known as Newater, meets 15 per cent of he country' water needs; this is expected to inrease to 30 per cent by 2010.

Hopely, Singapore's effective sanitation, water strategies offer viable growth models and Asia can tap Singapore's water expertise.

Do you have a point a share ?

Singapore to Johore Bahru and to Danga City Mall in five minutes

How would you like to travel to Johor Baru and to the newest mega mall, Danga City Mall, by train ? KTMB has started from Monday, 5 January 2009 running eight daily trips to and from Singapore to Danga City Mall ( four departing from its Tanjong Pagar station here and four returning). The trip to Danga City Mall is just five minutes from town centre.

Metrojaya department store is its anchor tenant in Danga City Mall, which is a seven-storey shopping centre with 92,900 sq m floor space. With about 500 shop units , you can find bowling arcade, eateries and clothing outlets to satisfy your shopping & leisure quests.

Singaporean shoppers who make regular visits to the city have thus far favoured the City Square mall and shops in the heart of the town. With another option from KTMB, shoppers now just need another 90 minutes, including the time needed to clear immigration checks at the border, to get to Danga City Mall,

This month, promotional tickets will go for S$3 (RM7) for a single trip to the mall and RM3 to return here.

KTMB trains can carry about 200 passengers on each run, but can take up to 1,000 per trip by adding carriages.

According to Johor 's Tourism and Domestic Trade committee during a press conference recently, KTM's aim is to improve transportation between Singapore and Johor. Other areas such as hotels and places of interest like fishing wharfs and Lego-land Malaysia theme park are planned for the area.

With about 10 million travellers entered Malaysia from Singapore between January to September, seven million of them Singaporeans, it is definitely a big market to tap into.

Are Property prices set to fall further in Singapore ?

All signs point to buyers getting their ways and are also playing a waiting game, believing that sellers will blink first. According to some properties agents, it used to take about two or four weeks to sell an apartment. Now some apartments on the market for more than three months still not taken up.

Presently the private property prices have indeed fallen, some by as much as 25 per cent over the past year. ST Life did a check on 10 condominiums across the island to compare the difference between their highest and last transacted prices. Apartments compared are similiar in size, floor level and direction. The article appeared on Saturday, 17 January 2009.

1) Yishun Emerald, Canberra Drive : Dec 2007 - S$555k down to Oct 2008 at S$406k @ $543 psf and $397 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,023 sq ft - percentage drop : 26%

2) Cairnhill Crest, Cairnhill Circle : July 2007 - S$3,985k down to Oct 2008 at S$2,920k @ $2,300 psf and $1,685 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,733 sq ft - percentage drop : 26%

3) The Bayshore, Bayshore Road : July 2007 - S$819k down to Oct 2008 at S$695k @ 810 psf and $687 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,012 sq ft - percentage drop : 15%

4) Grandeur 8, Ang Mo Kio Central 3 : Aug 2008 - S$899k down to Nov 2008 at S$747k @ $733 psf and $609 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,227 sq ft - percentage drop : 16%

5) Avila Gardens, Flora Road, Loyang : Aug 2007 - S$812k down to May 2008 at S$681k @ $614 psf and $515 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,324 sq ft - percentage drop : 16%

6) The Sea View, Amber Road : Nov 2007 - S$2,368k down to Nov 2008 at S$2,249k @ $1,438 psf and $1,366 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,647 sq ft - percentage drop : 5%

7) Newton Suites, Newton Road : Feb 2008 - S$2,4143k down to Dec 2008 at S$1,809k @ $1,950 psf and $1,462 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,238 sq ft - percentage drop : 25%

8) The Centris, Jurong West Central 3 : Jan 2007 - S$635k down to Dec 2008 at S$564k @ $596 psf and $530 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,066 sq ft - percentage drop : 11%

9) The Raintree, Bukit Drive : May 2008 - S$909k down to Oct 2008 at S$839k @ $716 psf and $661 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,279 sq ft - percentage drop : 7%

10) Tanglin Regency, Tanglin Road : Aug 2007 - S$980k down to Nov 2008 at S$930k @ $884 psf and $839 psf resp. for apartment size of 1,109 sq ft - percentage drop : 5%

Analyts are predicting further uncertainty in the economy and home prices may fall another 10 to 20 per cent. On the other hand, it's tougher to secure bank loans now. Banks are more cautious these days. During good times, loan would be approved within 24hours. Currently, it can take as long as two weeks. The loan quantum is also down from 90 per cent to most usually offer 80 per cent. Loan quantum refers to the size of a loan in relation to a property's market valuation. There has been cases where the bank's valuation of an apartment is lower that what a seller is asking for.

Accordingly to industry insiders say loan are generally smaller or harder to secure for the following people :

1) Those on commission-based income or are self-employed, compared to employees on fixed salary.

2) Applicants who are single, compared to married couples with dual income.

3) Those who have just started work.

As the saying goes, CASH IS KING. In times of economic stress & you are in a better cashflow position it is more prudent to consider a smaller loan to ensure that you do not over-extend yourselves and in my opinion, banks are more willing to approve such loans.

Do you have a point to share about the property prices of your country ?
I welcome your comments on my blog.

Paris' Eiffel Tower in Tokyo ?

No, no, this is Tokyo Tower, which resembles Paris' Eiffel Tower but failed to gain the global recognition of its Parisian twin, standing at 333m-tall with orange and white stripes, was once the world's tallest self-supported steel structure., Tokyo Tower turned 50 in December 2008 and in recent years, it has become harder to spot the tower among the ciyt's growing number of ever more boldly designed skyscrapers. In 2011, it will lose its distinction as the city's tallest structure to a new television tower, the Tokyo Sky Tree which, at 610m, is nearly twice as high.

Nippon Television City, the owner of Tokyo Tower plans to renovate the Tower and hopes that it will survive another 50 years of glory history.

Do drop us a line and share your comments with us.

Baby boomers : 50+ still going strong

Baby boomers, defined as those born between 1946 and 1964. Singapore has a greying population. By 2030, one in five Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng, who chairs the ministerial committee on ageing, estimates that there are close to one million baby boomers in Singapore today, which is about 30% of the population and half of the workforce.

In Singapore, those presently at the age of 65 years of age can expect to live another 19 years on average. That is to say, we should plan on the basis that we will live well into our 80s.

"Reinventing retirement" conference on Jan 8 and 9, 2009 looks into the active employment beyond 50 years. The Government consistently encouraging and persuading the people to work beyong retirement age, Some of the key objectives of the conference : defining new age-friendly employment policies, and promoting long-term financial planning. Having the senior citizens to continue to work will contribute to Singapore's economic growth and they are also a big market for the "silver years " industry. This covers products from age-friendly devices and medical aids to travel and personal finance.

Reasons for staying employed beyond retirement age not necessary must be for bread and butter's sake. The new wave comprises the baby boomers who have a lot of purchasing power, much more than the elderly of two decades ago. They are also more educated and attracted to more sophisticated offerings. Staying in employment allowed them to keep active, stay connected, and lead a secure and meaningful lives.