Don Nicholas,

Managing Partner

Mequoda Group LLC

Dear Colleague,

Whether you've attended a Mequoda Summit in the past or not, you'll surely benefit from this year's Mequoda Summit 2008 in Boston. We've updated all of our research and sessions and we're excited to share with you what we've found!

As of today, you can attend the Mequoda Summit 2008 in Boston this year for just $897 (and $797 for each additional attendee). This is the earliest of early bird specials, so make sure you sign up before the early-bird deadline approaches.

For many publishers, the last few years have been hit and miss when it comes to figuring out how to market their information products on the Internet.

And not every publisher got the same results—or used the same models or methods to market their publications online:

• One major publisher had great success mailing a lengthy print magalog to sell an online commodities trading service. The print piece drove recipients to a landing page where the product could be ordered online.
• Another publisher built a central website packed with content. Visitors who came to the site found that some of the content was theirs for the taking... but other segments were closed unless you subscribed with your credit card —and thousands did just that.
• A third publisher used co-registration, pay per click, viral marketing, SEO, and just about every traffic-generating technique known to man to build a huge subscriber list for their free e-newsletter. Then, mostly with online ads and email, they quadrupled their annual online sales to over $100 million in just a few years.

The bottom line is: the models and methods traditional and new media publishers can use to sell their products on the Internet are no longer a mystery, an unknown, a black box.

A lot of expensive lessons have been learned by the pioneering publishers who've unlocked the secrets to making Internet marketing profitable for selling information products online.

But... how can you improve your own online marketing results and revenues based on their triumphs and mistakes—without duplicating their costly experiments and errors?

I promise at this years Mequoda Summit 2008, you will discover dozens of new ways to multiply your online subscription revenues and one-shot product sales... and build your e-list... as never before.

As of today, you can attend the Mequoda Summit 2008 in Boston this year for just $897 (and $797 for each additional attendee). This is the earliest of early bird specials, so make sure you sign up before the early-bird deadline approaches.

Imagine a vast library of Internet marketing knowledge for publishers... yours for the taking.

My name is Don Nicholas. I've been a publisher and subscription marketing consultant for nearly three decades.

More than a decade ago, I got involved with selling publications—both mine and my client's—online.

One of my early successes was helping Computerworld with their Internet marketing—and our methods reduced their online subscriber acquisition cost by 74 percent.

A couple of years ago, I had an idea: what if someone studied, analyzed, and reported—on a large scale—what works (and what doesn't work) in selling newsletters... magazines... special reports... audio conferences... membership Websites... directories... databases... and other information products online?

And what if that person or organization made these "best practices" available as a vast library of Internet marketing methods, tactics, case studies, and resources?

Well, that's exactly what I've done: in 2003, I founded the Mequoda Group to serve the publishing and subscription marketing industries as the authoritative research-based source of Internet marketing methodologies for mainstream and new media publishers.

Our first project, still ongoing today, was to create the Mequoda Library—perhaps the largest online library of Internet marketing case studies, tips, tactics, and resources... again, specifically for mainstream and new media publishers.

Later we offered our Mequoda Library Members the opportunity to attend our Boot Camp on Internet marketing for publishers... the Mequoda Summit.

The attendee lists from past Mequoda Summit and other Mequoda marketing events read like a "Who's Who" of the publishing industry—and include marketers from:

Adams Business Media... American Medical Association... Aspen Publishers... Blood-Horse Publications... Crain Communications... Dow Jones & Company... Ebsco Industries... FDA News... Harvard Health Publishing... Highlights for Children... Infocom... J.D. Powers & Associates... Kiplinger... Lutheran Magazine... Manisses... Massachusetts Medical Society... Ogden Publications... Pinnacle Publishing... PRIMEDIA... Rodale... Scientific American... The Motley Fool... Time Inc... Unity World... University Health Publishing... Vance Publishing... Wiesner Publishing... Yoga International... and many others.

The Mequoda Summits have been so successful... and the demand has been so strong for encore performances... that we're hosting two each year!

Just look at what recent attendees are saying:

"Jam-packed with actionable results-based information that will enable us to acquire more customers and make more money selling our products. A terrific value for the time and money spent that over-delivered on the promises made in the promotions."
Bob Kaslik, VP Consumer Marketing, Aspire Media

"Great & diverse group, but the techniques could be applied across industries—not just for magazine publishers, but any direct marketer looking to move to an online business model."
Maureen Bevan, Director, Professional Education Institute

"Extremely useful and relevant information with guidance and suggestions on how to make these ideas work on your site."
Jackie Flaherty, Manager, iProduction

"If you're in publishing, go to the Mequoda Summit. Everything presented is worthwhile and useful for any publisher."
Brandon Clay, Copywriter, All Star Investor

"Useful, example-rich presentations to help take your online efforts to the next level."
Erin Hallstrom, Online Marketing Manager, Aspire/Interweave

"A good conference for those looking for tactical best practices used by old and new publishers across a broad spectrum of fields."
Peter Gudmundsson, CEO, Beckett Media

"Overall the Mequoda Summit was an extremely rewarding experience. Don Nicholas is undoubtedly an expert in his field and delivers an information packed, fast-paced quality presentation over two days. Any publisher who is serious about capitalizing on the power of the Internet should not miss an opportunity to attend the Mequoda Summit."
Joseph Belotti, President, AirlineCareer.com

"Although I already knew quite a lot about the Mequoda System it was really good to join the Summit: new test ideas, new contacts, fresh motivation, a good meeting facility, and a wonderful atmosphere!"
Nina Januschewski, Trainee, VNR

"I can make my company more money because I attended the Mequoda Summit."
Kimberly S. Brown, Editor in Chief Blood-Horse Publications

"Don and the whole Mequoda team are very helpful and make the experience enjoyable as well as extremely useful."
Tom Kelly, Publisher, Vermont Life

As of today, you can attend the Mequoda Summit 2008 in Boston this year for just $897 (and $797 for each additional attendee). This is the earliest of early bird specials, so make sure you sign up before the early-bird deadline approaches.

Selling information products online at a profit—once rare, now commonplace.

As recently as five or 10 years ago, the Internet was a source of mystery and frustration to most publishers.

We knew that, with its instantaneous—and virtually free—electronic delivery of both marketing messages and editorial products, the Internet should be a boon to publishing.

But... and I'm sure you remember this... somehow, very few publishers could make it work.

Why not? Because they were trying to take what they did in direct mail and transfer it directly to the Web.

The offline, "postal model" of direct marketing basically involves renting a list of strangers and sending them a letter, in response to which they send you money.

But when publishers tried this strategy on the Internet—emailing to rented lists of opt-in names and trying to sell them content—it flopped big-time.

Instead, what works best online is a two-step process. First, you offer those "strangers" free content—which might be an e-zine, downloadable PDF document, tele-seminar or CD.

But to get the free content, those strangers have to give you their email address in exchange. When they do, you add them to your house e-list... and you now have permission to send them future e-mail messages at virtually no cost.

Then, you "win them over" by offering more valuable content for free... which you can deliver in your e-newsletters and other free offers.

Finally, once you've gained their trust and respect, you can begin up-selling them to your paid products—and make millions doing so.

As of today, you can attend the Mequoda Summit 2008 in Boston this year for just $897 (and $797 for each additional attendee). This is the earliest of early bird specials, so make sure you sign up before the early-bird deadline approaches.

8 reasons to attend the Mequoda Summit...

REASON 1: Learn from a Top Marketing and Publishing Instructor

This is not your father's publishing seminar. Don Nicholas is fun, personable, smart and welcomes questions. One of the most sought-after consultants, speakers and instructors in the industry, Don shares his unparalleled experience and extensive knowledge with you in a friendly yet professional manner—without a sales pitch. He will give you a solid, in-depth learning experience, and provide insights into how the lessons of our Mequoda case studies can be applied to your publication.

REASON 2: Get Real-life Applications

This is no blue-sky, theoretical course. Don uses actual Mequoda case studies to demonstrate the ideas you're learning. The references to real-life publications and websites enable you to relate program concepts to your unique publishing challenges and put them to work immediately.

REASON 3: Enjoy Limited Group Size

We strictly limit attendance to ensure that you receive the one-on-one attention so essential to the learning process. Every attendee is encouraged to ask questions and pose problems.

REASON 4: Take Home Comprehensive Course Materials

When you attend the Mequoda Summit, you'll receive a 1GB flash drive loaded with presentations and reference materials. These materials not only enhance the Summit experience, they also provide a convenient reference long after the Summit has ended.

REASON 5: Take Advantage of Networking Breaks

The Mequoda Summit includes ample networking breaks during which refreshments are provided. This is your opportunity to meet with others, including Don and the Mequoda Team members in a relaxed, informal setting to share ideas and experiences.

REASON 6: Make Valuable Contacts

Mequoda Summits attract the most prestigious professionals in the publishing industry. During the Summit, you will be provided with numerous breaks and networking opportunities. You are sure to make contacts that you'll keep long after the program ends. You'll also receive a list of attendees to help you keep in touch with your colleagues, exchange ideas and brainstorm solutions to problems.

REASON 7: Obtain Follow-up Assistance & Continuing Education

Your educational experience doesn't stop when the Mequoda Summit ends. Once you become a Mequoda Summit alumnus, you're entitled to call or email Don for up to 30 days after the program to discuss further how the material applies to your publication.

REASON 8: Rest Confidently in our Money-back Guarantee

We're so confident in the quality of the Mequoda Summit content, we promise that if you are not completely satisfied with your learning experience, we guarantee you a full refund. So you really have nothing to lose... and a great deal to gain.

As of today, you can attend the Mequoda Summit 2008 in Boston this year for just $897 (and $797 for each additional attendee). This is the earliest of early bird specials, so make sure you sign up before the early-bird deadline approaches.

Everything you always wanted to know about Internet marketing for publishers... answered at last!

Okay. Here's a preview of just some of the amazingly effective online marketing techniques you will learn when you attend this year's Mequoda Summit:

"Discover how 48 publishers have made the internet their biggest and fastest growing source of both new revenue and profit."

You'll learn how small independent start-ups are generating millions in online revenues and how big media brands make 10s and even 100s of millions in online revenue using the same 10 simple online marketing strategies. It's all completely new and updated for 2008.

"Learn how the Web's top publishers are using podcasts, webinars, book, and 19 other new media platforms to build loyal customer relationships"

Master the new media—websites, email, blogs, RSS feeds, audio programs, video seminars, conferences, workshops and more. Offer customers information and entertainment on multiple platforms, using a variety of business models and marketing channels.

I'll show you how to offer users many products on many platforms, how to give them a free, robust online content, and a personalized marketing experience.

Plus you'll discover how to use different platforms for distributing your branded content and how to determine which combination of platforms will work best for you.

"Discover how to choose and use the right business model for your online business."

Every website is not the same. Depending on your goals and the way you generate profits, your design should fall into one of ten different startegic designs.

Get real-world, practical guidance on the 10 media website archetypes and how each generates revenue for publishers.

"Learn the 10 Web page templates used by today's top publishers to capture the most visitors ."

You don't need to be a professional graphic artist or information architect to understand the secrets of an effective publisher's website.

Your overall strategy must be to drive traffic to a primary online venue, capture visitors' email addresses, establish a permission-driven database, market products to the database, and build loyal customers and repeat sales.

Just as in direct mail (postal) marketing, the money is in the list!

I'll show you how to establish a permission-based database and all the ways to drive traffic to your site. Plus, how to monetize these site visitors and convert them to paying customers.

"Discover how to take short-term visitors, and turn them into buyers while encouraging a long-lasting relationship.

You can create great content. You can set up an attractive website to display your wares. And you can drive traffic to your site through search engine optimization and Google AdWords.

But none of these efforts will be effective if your site visitors don't actually buy your products.

I'll show you how to convert visitors into buyers with 10 types of landing page templates and the 12 secrets for increasing landing page conversion rates.

"Learn the SEO strategies every writer, editor and publisher needs to get found on the web. "

In 2008, no online publishing business should be hiring an outside SEO firm. The job of search engine optimization should be in the job description of every writer and editor. It is a logical extension of the editorial process. Hiring outside only doubles the work and expense and adds to the time putting out articles, blogs, and other website content.

You'll learn how to choose keyword phrases, determine keyword popularity, optimize article headlines and subheads, measure keyword density, optimize your meta tags, optimize your URL's and maximize internal and external linking.

And if you are not part of the editorial staff, I'll provide you with all the information you'll need to kick them into gear.

"Discover how to create email newsletters and promotions that get delivered, opened and read."

While success or failure of an email newsletter or promotion should be directly tied to bottom line goals (sales, revenue, etc.), there are some things that can help—or hurt—a newsletter's chances of achieving those goals.

No matter how valuable its content, an email newsletter is ineffective unless it gets delivered, opened and read.

I'll introduce you to 10 guidelines for designing an effective email newsletter.

"Learn the 10 key metrics every online business manager should know."

In order to run an effective online business, you need to know what statistics you should be watching (both yours and your competitors).

We'll show you a list of 10 key metrics you should know at the end of every day, week and month in order to keep in control of your online business, make the right changes at the right time, and generate the most profit for your online business.

As of today, you can attend the Mequoda Summit 2008 in Boston this year for just $897 (and $797 for each additional attendee). This is the earliest of early bird specials, so make sure you sign up before the early-bird deadline approaches.

We take all the risk out of attending!

One of the things I love about Internet marketing is that it can be so much less costly, with a much larger and faster ROI, than traditional direct marketing.

A major direct mail test campaign can cost $25,000 to $50,000 or more... take months to prepare, mail, and get back the results... and if it doesn't work, you can lose your shirt.

On the Internet, you can blast out an email promotion to your list the same day you write it... at close to zero cost... and generate revenues—and know your results—within 48 to 72 hours.

Of course, it's not always that easy. But there's much less risk than with traditional direct mail.

And now I'm going to make it even less risky to jump-start your publishing company's online marketing at our Mequoda Summit... with this unconditional money-back guarantee of satisfaction:

If for any reason... or for no reason... you decide that our Mequoda Summit is not for you, simply let us know at any time at or before lunch of the first full day of the conference.

You can simply return your conference materials to us, leave without further obligation... and get a full 100 percent refund of your entire conference tuition.

That way, you risk nothing. All the risk is on our shoulders—as it should be.

I'm betting you'll find the picturesque location, The Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston, well worth the trip. Sitting on the Cambridge banks of the Charles River, overlooking the Boston skyline...

The 2008 Mequoda Summit takes place at the exquisite Royal Sonesta Boston sitting on the Cambridge banks of the Charles River, with breathtaking views of the Boston skyline. Stay a few extra days and enjoy the fall foliage and all of what Boston's rich history and fantastic restaurants have to offer.

On the Cambridge side of the Charles River lies the Royal Sonesta Boston Hotel- a luxury hotel offering spectacular city views, upscale accommodations, and fine dining just moments from the heart of Boston. Find yourself staying in the midst of famous Cambridge and Boston area shops, museums, and historic sites.

All guest rooms and suites offer first-class amenities and stunning views of the Charles River, Cambridge, or Boston. Once you stay here, there will be no doubt why The Royal Sonesta Boston Hotel is known as one of the best Cambridge luxury hotels.

The hotel offers both casual and elegant dining options in their two highly acclaimed riverfront restaurants. Enjoy your contemporary American meal on our seasonal patios; or relax in your room and enjoy 24-hour room service. For banquets, meetings, or an intimate dinner, the experienced staff at the Royal Sonesta Boston Hotel will attend to every detail.

Unwind at the Sonesta Health Club with an indoor/outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, saunas, and a full range of luxury spa services. Enjoy 24-hour access to the Business Center, conveniently located in the lobby. Browse at the Cambridge Side Galleria with over 100 retail shops and an international food court, directly across from the hotel. The hotel is only three miles from Logan International Airport.

The hotel concierge can offer suggestions and information on all of the ‘must-see’ attractions in Boston and Cambridge. USS Constitution, Harvard Square, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Public Garden Swan Boats, Paul Revere House, Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, Museum of Science are all a short distance from the hotel.

We are very proud to be able to offer you such a prime location to enjoy the Mequoda Summit.

Two information-packed days...seven new in-depth sessions...48 fully updated Mequoda research trends and case studies...

Day 1, Session 1: Making Money Online
Discover How 48 Publishers Have Made the Internet Their Biggest and Fastest Growing Source of New Revenue and Profit

Day 1, Session 2: Using New Media to Expand Your Brand
How the Web's Top Publishers are Using Podcasts, Webinars, Books, and 19 Other New Media Platforms to Build Loyal Customer Relationships

Day 1, Session 3: 10 Website Business Models That Work
How to Choose and Use the Right Business Model for Your Online Business

Day1, Session 4: Creating Effective Media Websites
Learn the 10 Web Page Templates Used by Today's Top Publishers to Capture the Most Visitors

Day 2, Session 1: Turning Your Website Visitors into Buyers
How to Start and Run an Effective Internet Marketing Campaign

Day 2, Session 2: SEO for Writers, Editors and Publishers
Learn the SEO Strategies Every Writer, Editor and Publisher Needs to Get Found on the Web

Day 2, Session 3: Profitable Email Newsletter Marketing
Increase Open Rates and Conversions on Your Email Newsletter or Promotions

Day 2, Session 4: Creating a Management Dashboard
Learn the 10 Key Metrics Every Online Business Manager Should Know

Spend a few days with the Mequoda Team in Boston...then go back to your office—and shift your Internet marketing into high gear!

During the Mequoda Summit, you'll master a new methodology—the Mequoda Methodology—that has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in information product sales online for dozens of publishers, from start-ups to multi-million-dollar media giants.

At the Mequoda Summit Boston 2008, you will learn:

• How to come up with ideas for new ways to package your products and services—and sell them online.
• The most common traits of online publishing companies that have made millions on the Internet.
• Why arrivals, conversion rates, email circulation, RPM and cost per new subscriber are important metrics for product-driven websites.
• Why impressions, revenue per page, email circulation, RPM and cost per new subscriber are important metrics for ad-driven websites.
• The keys to maximizing profit using your existing content and knowledge-base.
• How to recycle, reuse and republish information in different formats.
• How to identify the right archetype for your business, to ensure higher revenue, lower operating costs and happier customers.
• How to optimize an organic landing page to help a user searching with Google, Yahoo! or MSN to find it.
• How to increase conversion rates and improve the user experience with your brand online.
• How to price your information products and test different offers to maximize sales and profits.
• How to use meta pages to maximize website traffic and help users find your content more easily.
• How to get your email newsletter through ISP filters and those that reside on the recipients desktop.

• How to use the power of your brand to launch a TV show, radio show, or syndicated newspaper column.
• How to use personalized content to enhance user satisfaction and increase page views and time spent.
• How to measure the effectiveness of your websites.
• How to get your email promotions opened and read.
• The how, why and what to test for ad-driven and product-driven websites.
• How to use multimedia and interactive technology to increase interest in email newsletters.
• How to make your website's interface more intuitive and uncomplicated.
• How to generate massive traffic to your site—and capture each visitor's email address.
• How to use the 10 different types of landing pages effectively.
• How to increase your site's rankings with the major search engines.
• Which tools are available to help make keyword research easy and effective.
• How to Build Website traffic through Google and other pay-per-click advertising.
• The external media sources and database marketing channels that constitute a proven Internet marketing system.
• How to up-sell and cross-sell online customers for maximum profits.
• The key drivers that affect your website's bottom line and learn how to implement a metrics-driven plan for your integrated online publishing empire.
• How to build huge, responsive email lists that generate huge cash flow—month after month.
• How to generate multiple streams of income from a single book or information product.
• How to create relationships and gain the trust of your prospects so that they will order from you over and over again.
• How to get the biggest publishers in your market to actively promote your products to their lists—at no up-front cost to you.
• How to precisely measure unique visits, click-through rates, conversions, orders, dollars per name, and other key metrics.

The bottom line: by the close of the Summit, you will have in your hands dozens of practical, specific, detailed, and realistic ways to build, manage, and get results from your online marketing program.

The good news for you is that it's not too late for your publishing company to jump aboard the Internet marketing boom... and make a fortune online.

The number of people using the Internet worldwide more than doubled over the past four years, and there are now nearly a billion people online.

In 2003, consumers spent more than $51 billion shopping online. And a study from Jupiter Research predicts that email marketing revenues will triple by 2008.

In fact, with all the recent advancements in online marketing tools, techniques, and business models... which you'll be given during the Summit... there's never been a better time for publishers to scale up their Internet marketing activities than right now.

And in just two information-packed days, you can master these marketing strategies—and unlock the "secrets" of generating massive online sales of your information products.

To enroll in the Mequoda Summit call Julie Ottomano at 508-435-1005. Or click below now:

But I urge you to hurry. First come, first served.

P.S.As of today, you can attend the Mequoda Summit 2008 in Boston this year for just $897 (and $797 for each additional attendee). This is the earliest of early bird specials, so make sure you sign up before the price goes up.

P.P.S. We guarantee your satisfaction. If you are not convinced that the Mequoda Summit will absolutely revolutionize and transform your Internet marketing... and take your publishing company to a whole new level of sales and success online... just let us know by lunch time of the first day.

You can return your conference materials, leave, and get a prompt and full refund of all your money. That way, you risk nothing.

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Summit Details

Register TODAY
to save $700.00 on your seat with our early-bird pricing.

Date: October 14-15th, 2008

Place: Royal Sonesta Hotel, Boston MA
Click to save $700.00