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Alex Sysoef Blogger Blogging Expert Expert Interview Series Internet Marketing web2.0 web2.0 Wealth wordpress

Now that the expert series in well under way and expert interviews are flowing from everywhere around the world.

Today’s interview is another blog expert, who focuses on Wordpress based themes and strategy. I’ve used some of his tips and tricks that I use in this blog. He turned the blogging industry into a frenzy when he released web20wealth.com with a lot of glowing testimonials from the success of the launch. His blog Howtospoter.com is also one of the leading web2.0 marketing blogs in the blogging industry.

I’m proud to present Alex Sysoef.

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When did you first get involved with Internet Marketing/Blogging?

I got seriously involved into Internet Marketing about 3 years ago when a realization hit me that my current job provides raises not big enough to cover even the current inflation and unless I do something for myself – I’ll be SOL in a very near feature.

I have been managing websites (mostly traditional) since about 1999 but was doing it mostly for fun or non-profit. And even though my entry into IM was with Drupal, I really missed the point of the blogging thing back then and hated it for deviation from my understanding of what site HAVE TO be. It was only in beginning of 2007 I was introduced to blogging and by applying my previous knowledge and newly gained information I started to see results very quickly using WordPress as my blog platform of choice.

What is your greatest achievement so far?

Web 2.0 Wealth and I don’t have to even think about it. This is the first time that I have applied my knowledge from years of work as Tech Support Analyst, Webmaster, Internet Marketer, Blogger and combined it into information product that seem to be accepted well by my customers.

What’s the key behind your sites Howtospoter.com and web20wealth.com?

Howtospoter.com was initially created as proof of concept but results it delivered quickly superseded anything I was able to accomplish previously with pure Internet Marketing and it became my primary blog. That is my place of sharing freely and giving back to community that already helped my to develop as blogger and as Blogging Marketer.

Web20Wealth.com is primary site where my new product is sold. I know it’s a bit hypey as any other sales page but according to my existing customers I manage to over deliver on their expectations. So I guess while I have to flow with the trend to convince people to buy it – I still concentrate heavily on delivering more then people expect and offset the hype on that page.

How is it unique?

It is unique in many ways… I don’t just provide an eBook but a complete blog with all plugins integrated and theme customized to take advantage of multiple monetization streams and social networks. It is very similar to what you will find on my own blog. I provide over 7 hours in total of video training that so far managed to guide many complete newbies to blogging and enable them to create their own Web 2.0 Blog. I guess I could have stopped there as that is what many people do … but I have decided to make this product corner stone of my business and provide personal support to each and every customer, most time within few hours. I think I had to provide only 2 refunds to date because I was unable to solve my customer’s problem and each time because of their current host limitations. Add to this a private (customers only) forum for sharing ideas, peer-to-peer support and my own help and it makes for a nice place to get you going right when you need the help. I try to separate myself by providing level of support I would expect from seller. Nothing more and nothing less and it goes without saying that my customers get upgrade path and complete tutorial once core blog gets new version, etc. plus some additional videos not even mentioned on sales page.

What obstacles have you encountered?

Time. Biggest problem is finding time to get everything done. Blogging and running online business comes after my full time job and my family. Family is what prompted me to look for income online and I never forget it.

What are your Three Top Tips for building an Internet Business?

1. Build your business based on what you know. Chances are there are many people looking for that info. 2. Treat your customers in same way you want to be treated. 3. Transparency. Blogging is an awesome platform for it. Success of my product based in many ways on my customer’s enthusiasm and provides me with transparency and social validation.

Did you secure any finances? If so how did you secure it?

I built my business by reinvesting what I have earned. While I believe in “paying forward”, i.e. paying for a program that will walk you to success – we are all different. What works for 99 people might not work for you and your money might be wasted. If you reinvest what you have managed to earn – you ensure that your success is built with experience and I believe that even failure provides us with much needed experience. We always learn best from our mistakes or at least I do…

Any advice for other start-up Internet Entrepreneurs?

Start blogging. Nothing provides you with more value then blog if you put your mind to it.

Any advice for a traditional business?

Sorry, I never run traditional business and the least qualified person to advice anyone 

Your vision of the Web’s Future

Faster and more social then ever. You remember that video “Web 2.0 - Machine is Using US” – it is scary but it holds much of where web is going to… I think Facebook is probably best representation of social network done right. Now if we could only have it less general and more targeted to specific interests groups. As much as I think that “poke me” is funny – it is also childish.

How will you stay ahead of the game?

I constantly read blogs directly related to my interests as well as participate in IM forums. Not sure if you can call it staying ahead of the game but right now I’m happy to just stay with the game. On serious note – I constantly ask my customers for feedback and my “game” is my customer’s success. If I can accomplish that – I’m ahead of the game.

Who are your personal Heroes?

Ken Evoy, Mark Hendricks, Jack Humphrey, Jimmy D Brown just to name the few. Each person I mention builds their business based on integrity and common sense.

What are your favorite sites?

This list would be too long  I read or scan an average of 30-40 blogs daily via RSS reader and ONLY blogs I like make the list. I can tell you that they are all related to WordPress development, social networking, blogging or Internet Marketing and help me learn what others are talking about. Scanning wide range of topics that are still within my general niche allows me to see developing trends and stay current.

What’s the greatest thing about the net?

Global nature that gives us all access to information across the globe and chance to communicate and partner with people located in multiple countries.

What’s the worst about the net?

Spamers and unscrupulous marketers. My time is too valuable to waste it on them and yet – I have to deal with them.

What inspires you?

I have many inspirations: my family, my customers, my readers and constantly developing technology. My product is based on ever evolving technology and changing scene of social web interaction. Need to stay current and deliver it to my customers while still spending enough time with my family … if this is not an inspiration at the very least it is a huge drive that constantly pushes me forward.

Last words and tips to your readers?

Be yourself. You are the most unique product nature ever created and your experience and knowledge are the most prized possessions. Learn to turn it into income stream and you simply can’t fail. While we all need the knowledge of many aspects required to actually take it into action, which requires time and money, I always remember WHY I started on this road – Become independent and provide my family with comforts they deserve. Wealth is nothing if in process you loose the sight of what is most important. So be yourself and make sure to not forget about those that dear and close to you.

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I would like to thank Alex for giving us an insight in what it takes to be successful internet marketer and blogger.

To your success, Carlo Selorio

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