The acronym ACH can stand for “Automated Check Handling” or “Automated Clearinghouse.” ACH transactions are electronic checks, and are used for processing lower dollar amount payments. They are processed in a manner similar to that of paper checks, and do not travel directly from one bank to another.

ACH transactions are processed through a clearinghouse divides that handles crediting and deducting accounts of the originating and paying banks. It typically takes one or two days to settle ACH transactions.

Wires are more expensive because:
(1) royalty payments
(2) operation fee for use of the “wire”
(3) manual end sorting or confirmation required, depending on the bank’s
system.

Typical ACH applications include:

• direct deposit of payroll
• dividends
• annuities
• monthly payments and collections
• federal and state tax payments

As the Affiliate Manager of HD Publishing Group, home of one of the very first background internet programs- Net Detective, I get a lot of questions in the course of my day. The one I invariably am asked is “How can I increase traffic to my page and boost my sales?” Of course this makes sense. No matter how great your page or your offer is, no traffic equals no sales.

So how do you drive high quality traffic to your page and then keep them coming back? How do you add the most bang for your buck? Sell the sizzle?

In the olden days of the internet, it was enough to have a website. A URL alone equated sales. But the Wild, Wild West days of the internet are long gone. Modern internet marketers not only compete with each other for the most valuable real estate on earth- Google’s first page, but also have to contend with changing guidelines from not only Google and the FTC, but also the ever-changing mindset of the internet consumer.

Nothing replaces a great offer, and very little can substitute for a good SEO plan, but given that these are items you are researching and monitoring using Google Analytics or a tool like Yahoo! Web Analytics, you still need to build repeat business.  “How do I accomplish this without spending all my profits on advertising?” you ask. Many marketers have found that blogging (sometimes called flogging when it’s commercial) helps to get them over the hump.

Blogging has been around for years- moms shooting stream of consciousness play-by-plays of the Little League team’s exploits, angry voters blasting politicians, or even teachers updating parents on class projects. In recent years, the internet has seen an explosion of commercial blogging, sometimes referred to as fake blogging, or flogging.

Flogging has come under fire. The Public Relations Society of America called flogging a “ …“fake blog,” where an organization or its representative creates an online forum that appears to be from a private citizen expressing personal opinion or experiences, when, in fact, it is being maintained for hire with an undisclosed agenda.)” Bloggers School says “A flog is a fake blog used by people who don’t really care about quality content or sharing valuable info that may help others.” But there are those who disagree.  Grant Griffiths, the founder of Blog For Profit, describes many opportunities for exposure and profit that he has been able to legitimately achieve through flogging.

The problem with commercial blogging, or flogging, is not with using social media to make a profit. The danger lies in not being honest about your motives. If you are an independent person offering real insight into products you have researched or with which you have had good success, use it to your advantage. The best advice always comes from a real end user. Never mislead the public, or say that the product  accomplishes things it can’t. This will ultimately hurt the product, your ability to sell it, and the reputation of your own website. Google has recently shut down many websites for this reason.  Google offers clear guidelines as to what it expects from your website. The FTC just last year published new rules relating to internet marketing that directly affect flogging.

Ready to develop your own flog? Read up on the Google and FTC guidelines and then follow these simple rules:

• Set aside time to flog. Condition your readers to see new pieces come out from your site on a routine basis.
• Keep the content fresh. If you see an interesting bit of news that relates to your niche jot it down. Keep a note pad handy so that when you flog, you have fresh ideas waiting.
• Find other sites related to your niche. Research online to find third party websites, industry voices, and bloggers with whom you can build relationships and exchange ideas.
• Get involved. Join forums, discussions, contribute to other blogs, submit articles and ask website owners for a link back to your flog.
• Let your readers comment. Your reader’s comments are unbiased opinions and add value to your site. Moderate them as necessary, but the more the better.
• If you are getting paid to flog, say so. Most HD Publishing affiliates are independent marketers who make no commissions unless sales are made. If you are receiving money simply to flog, be upfront about it. Everything can be explained, except dishonesty.
• Use the SEO techniques you already know to promote your flog. Use analytics, back links, and other smart tools you already have to promote your website, and then don’t forget to link the flog to your website.
• Use Social Media sites to promote your flog. Have friends? Online? Make new postings to your flog a part of your social updates. Keep the content fresh and pertinent to your audience and watch as the traffic comes in.

Flogging isn’t brand new, but it is becoming an increasingly important part of the online marketer’s tool belt. Like all tools, quality is much more important than quantity, and make sure you know and follow the rules for use.

Good Luck Marketers!