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Sites Like About.com

by | Affiliate Marketing, Uncategorized | 0 comments

about.com

About.com, now defunct, was great because the site covered dozens of niche markets and the ads on the pages were highly targeted making it a great place to find offers.  

No site that I’ve found, yet, rivals About.com.  What you’ll find below are a wide range of sites that vary in markets.  You will need to do some hunting to find offers but they’re out there!

Here’s a list of websites similar to the original concept of About.com, which provided a wide variety of expert-curated articles across multiple topics. These sites offer general information, how-to guides, or niche content:

General Information and How-To Sites

    1. Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
      A free, crowd-sourced encyclopedia covering virtually any topic in depth.
    2. eHow (ehow.com)
      Offers how-to guides and tutorials on a wide range of practical topics.
    3. Quora (quora.com)
      A Q&A platform where users can ask questions and get answers from experts or enthusiasts.
    4. WikiHow (wikihow.com)
      Specializes in step-by-step guides for solving everyday problems.
    5. Lifewire (lifewire.com)
      Provides straightforward, expert-created tech advice and tutorials.

Niche Content Sites (Former About.com Verticals)

After About.com was restructured, its content was split into niche-focused sites:

    1. Verywell (verywell.com)
      Focuses on health, fitness, and wellness information.
    2. The Spruce (thespruce.com)
      Covers home improvement, gardening, and DIY projects.
    3. TripSavvy (tripsavvy.com)
      A travel-focused site offering tips, destination guides, and reviews.
    4. Lifewire (lifewire.com)
      Tech-focused tutorials and guides for everyday users.
    5. Investopedia (investopedia.com)
      Provides financial and investing advice.

Other Similar Sites

    1. HowStuffWorks (howstuffworks.com)
      Explains how various things in the world function, from science to pop culture.
    2. ThoughtCo (thoughtco.com)
      Covers educational content on science, history, math, and more.
    3. CNET (cnet.com)
      Focused on technology reviews, news, and how-tos.
    4. TechRadar (techradar.com)
      Offers detailed guides and reviews of the latest tech and gadgets.
    5. Stack Exchange (stackexchange.com)
      A network of Q&A sites specializing in various topics like coding, math, and more.
    6. Instructables (instructables.com)
      Focused on step-by-step DIY projects and creative builds.
    7. Healthline (healthline.com)
      A comprehensive site for health and wellness information.
    8. Better Homes and Gardens (bhg.com)
      Covers home, gardening, and lifestyle advice.

These sites cater to a variety of interests, offering a mix of general and specialized content like About.com once did.

How to Make a Mind Map

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How to Make a Mind Map

A mind map is a powerful tool for organizing ideas, brainstorming, planning, or learning new information. It uses a non-linear format to visually represent concepts and their relationships, making it easier to understand and retain information. Below is a detailed guide on how to make a mind map.

1. Make a Mind Map: Define Your Central Idea

Start by identifying the main topic or concept you want to explore. Write or draw this idea in the center of a blank page or digital workspace. Use a bold font, a different color, or an image to make it stand out. Encircle it or place it in a box to establish it as the focal point of your mind map.

2. Identify Key Themes or Subtopics

Think about the primary categories or themes related to your central idea. These are the main branches of your mind map. Draw thick lines radiating outward from the central idea, like the spokes of a wheel. Label each branch with a concise keyword or phrase representing a subtopic.

For example, if your central idea is “Time Management,” your main branches might include “Prioritization,” “Planning Tools,” “Time Blocks,” and “Avoiding Distractions.”

3. Add Sub-Branches for Details

Under each main branch, identify supporting ideas or details. Draw smaller lines branching out from the main branches and label them accordingly. This step involves breaking down the subtopics into finer details or examples.

For instance, under “Prioritization,” you could add sub-branches like “Eisenhower Matrix,” “Daily Goals,” and “Weekly Reviews.”

4. Use Short Phrases and Keywords

To keep your mind map clear and easy to read, use single words or short phrases. Avoid lengthy sentences that can clutter the layout. Keywords ensure you focus on the core idea, making it easier to scan and review.

5. Add Visual Elements

Incorporate colors, images, and symbols to make your mind map visually appealing and memorable. Use different colors for each main branch to create clear distinctions. Add icons, doodles, or pictures to represent key points, which can aid in memory retention and comprehension.

6. Maintain a Logical Structure

Ensure that you make your mind map flow logically. Place related branches near each other and arrange subtopics in a way that’s easy to follow. If you find connections between different branches, draw lines to link them, showing relationships between concepts.

7. Review and Refine

Once your mind map is complete, revisit it to add any missing ideas or adjust the structure. This is also the time to clean up any messy sections and ensure all ideas are well-organized.

Tips for Success

  • Start Simple: Focus on the big picture before diving into details.
  • Use Digital Tools (Optional): Apps like MindMeister, Mindomo (free trial), or Canva make it easy to create and edit mind maps.
  • Experiment: Personalize your mind map by exploring different layouts, styles, or formats.

Mind maps help break down complex topics into manageable pieces, fostering creativity, clarity, and better decision-making. With practice, this technique can become an invaluable tool for both personal and professional use.

Is Email Marketing Still Effective in 2025?

Is Email Marketing Still Effective in 2025?

by | Email Marketing, List Building | 0 comments

The question “is email marketing still effective?” arises often, especially with the growth of newer digital channels. Despite the evolving marketing landscape, email marketing remains a highly effective strategy in 2025, delivering exceptional results for businesses. Here’s why:

Impressive ROI and Profitability

Email marketing continues to boast one of the highest returns on investment (ROI) among digital marketing channels. On average, businesses earn $36 to $40 for every $1 spent, equating to an astounding ROI of 3600%. This makes email marketing not just effective but also one of the most profitable strategies available.

Strong User Engagement

Nearly 99% of email users check their inbox daily, with 58% starting their day by reading emails. This high engagement rate is further amplified when emails are personalized, leading to six times higher transaction rates and up to 5.7 times greater revenue compared to non-personalized campaigns. Such engagement solidifies email as a cornerstone of customer outreach.

B2B and B2C Impact

Is email marketing still effective for businesses? Absolutely. In B2B marketing, 77% of professionals prefer email for communication, citing its efficiency in lead nurturing and conversion. On the B2C front, 59% of consumers acknowledge that email marketing influences their purchasing decisions, reinforcing its impact across sectors.

Market Growth and Usage

The global email marketing landscape is thriving, with over 347 billion emails sent daily. This reflects a steady increase in user adoption and underscores email’s continuing relevance despite the rise of newer platforms.

The Power of Segmentation and Timing

Segmented email campaigns achieve a 100.95% higher click-through rate compared to non-segmented ones. Additionally, sending emails at optimal times—between 6 AM and 2 PM—maximizes engagement, further enhancing campaign success.

Conclusion

Is email marketing still effective in 2025? The data resoundingly says yes. Its unmatched ROI, widespread usage, and ability to engage audiences across demographics confirm its role as an essential tool in the modern marketing arsenal. By leveraging personalization, segmentation, and strategic timing, businesses can harness the full potential of email marketing in 2025.

is email marketing still effective

Effective Landing Page Design

by | List Building | 0 comments

Effective landing page design for email subscriptions requires a clear focus on converting visitors into subscribers. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

 

1. Set a Clear Goal

  • Define the purpose of the landing page (e.g., growing your email list, offering a lead magnet, promoting a newsletter).
  • Ensure all elements of the page align with this goal.

2. Craft a Compelling Headline

  • Grab attention immediately with a concise and engaging headline.
  • Emphasize the value of subscribing.
    • Example: “Get Exclusive Tips and Offers Straight to Your Inbox!”

3. Highlight Benefits

  • Clearly explain what subscribers will gain (e.g., discounts, exclusive content, free resources).  Use overt benefits.
  • Use bullet points or concise text for easy readability.
    • Example:
      • Receive weekly industry insights.
      • Get early access to sales and promotions.
      • Access free guides and resources.
      • Access free course

4. Offer a Lead Magnet

  • Provide an incentive – a lead magnet – for signing up, such as:
    • Free eBooks, templates, checklists or guides.
    • Discounts or special offers.
    • Exclusive access to webinars or events.

5. Design a Simple and Clean Layout

  • Avoid clutter and focus on a single call-to-action (CTA).  Each page should have one and only one objective.  What is your goal for the page?  Remove all elements that do not support that goal.
  • Use white space effectively to draw attention to important elements 

“Effective landing page design is all about simplicity, clarity, and delivering value to turn visitors into loyal subscribers.”

6. Include a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)

  • Make the CTA button prominent and action-oriented.
    • Example: “Subscribe Now,” “Get Your Free Guide,” “Join the Club”
  • Use contrasting colors for the CTA button to make it stand out.

7. Use an Eye-Catching Visual

  • Incorporate relevant images, videos, or graphics that align with your brand and message.
  • Examples:
    • A picture of your lead magnet (e.g., eBook cover).
    • A clean, professional photo of your team or product.

8. Optimize the Signup Form

  • Keep the form simple and ask for minimal information (e.g., just email or name + email).
  • Use clear, user-friendly labels and placeholder text.
  • Ensure the “submit” button matches the action, like “Sign Up Now” or “Get My Free Guide.”

9. Add Social Proof

  • Build trust by showcasing testimonials, subscriber counts, or awards.
    • Example: “Join over 10,000 happy subscribers!”

10. Optimize for Mobile

  • Ensure the page loads quickly and displays well on mobile devices.
  • Use responsive design to adapt to various screen sizes.

11. Test and Optimize

  • A/B test different elements (headlines, CTAs, colors, or images) to see what performs best.
  • Monitor key metrics like bounce rates, conversion rates, and time on page.

Example Layout:

  1. Pre-Header (optional): “Stay Ahead of the Curve – Subscribe Today!”
  2. Main Heading –  Your primary headline
  3. Sub Headline (optional) – Below the main headline.
  4. Visual: Image of a guide or happy customers.
  5. Benefits: 3 bullet points explaining value.
  6. Signup Form: Name + email fields with a bright CTA button.
  7. Social Proof: Testimonials or “Trusted by thousands.”
  8. Footer: Include privacy assurances (“We respect your privacy”) to build trust.

Tips

  • Strive to keep your copy short and punchy.  Ideally the “squeeze” portion of your landing page fits above the fold – wholly visible without the need to scroll.
  • Place your opt-in form in the upper right side of your page (as shown below and in most of the examples).  This has been proven to be the best location.

Would you like help drafting specific copy or choosing design tools for your landing page?  Join the discussion below!

Examples of Good Design

Landing Page Example

sample squeeze page layout

Email List Segmentation

by | Email Marketing, List Building | 1 comment

Email list segmentation involves dividing your subscribers into smaller, targeted groups based on shared characteristics or behaviors. This enables you to deliver personalized content that resonates with each group. Here’s how to effectively segment your email list:

1. Identify Segmentation Criteria

Choose factors that align with your goals and audience data. Common email list segmentation criteria include:

  • Demographics: Age, gender, location, income level, job title.
  • Psychographics: Interests, values, lifestyle.
  • Behavior: Purchase history, browsing habits, email engagement (opens, clicks, or inactivity).
  • Stage in Buyer Journey: New leads, repeat customers, or lapsed subscribers.
  • Preferences: Content type (e.g., promotions, newsletters, educational materials).

2. Use Email Platform Features

  • Most email marketing platforms (e.g., Aweber, Klaviyo, HubSpot) allow you to create segments based on criteria like:
    • Signup forms (e.g., preferences indicated at signup).
    • Engagement history (e.g., click-through rates or email opens).
    • Purchase or activity data (e.g., items bought or pages visited).

3. Examples of Segmentation

  • New Subscribers: Send a welcome series to introduce them to your brand.
  • Location-Based Segmentation: Target promotions or events in specific regions.
  • Engagement Level:
    • Highly engaged: Send exclusive offers or VIP content.
    • Low engagement: Send re-engagement campaigns.
  • Past Purchases:
    • Promote complementary or related products.
    • Reward repeat buyers with loyalty perks.

4. Survey Your Audience

  • Use polls, surveys, or preference forms to gather insights directly from subscribers.
  • Ask questions like:
    • “What types of updates are you interested in?”
    • “How often would you like to receive emails?”

“Email list segmentation transforms generic messages into personalized conversations, fostering stronger connections and driving higher engagement.”

5. Personalize Content for Each Segment

Tailor your messaging, subject lines, and offers to match the email list segment’s interests and needs. For example:

  • Send tutorials to new users.
  • Share updates or exclusive deals with loyal customers.
  • Use personalized product recommendations based on browsing or purchase history.

6. Analyze and Adjust Segments

  • Continuously monitor the performance of your campaigns within each segment.
  • Refine your segmentation strategy based on metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.

Advanced Segmentation Ideas

  • Cart Abandoners: Target customers who added items to their cart but didn’t complete the purchase.
  • Seasonal Shoppers: Email list segmentation based on buying patterns during specific times of the year.
  • Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): Separate high-value customers for exclusive perks.

Tools to Assist Segmentation

  • Email platforms with segmentation features: Aweber, HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, Klaviyo.
  • Analytics tools for deeper insights: Google Analytics, CRM systems.

Would you like help setting up specific segments for your campaign?  Comment below for advice from the community.

email list segmentation