training

Jun

2015

How To Generate A Google Fonts API Key

There are a number of scripts and WordPress plugins that allow you to use Google Fonts on your web sites. I’m now using Google Fonts Manager on my WordPress sites.

However in order to do so, you need to first generate a Google Fonts API key, and it’s not obvious how to do this.

After figuring it out I decided to run through the process again and take some screenshots and annotate them so that you won’t run into the same head scratching trial and error problems I did.

Good old me. 🙄

Seriously though, if you appreciate what I’ve done or at all like it in any way, then please link to this article from your web site or use the social sharing buttons at the bottom. Your readers will appreciate it as much as I do, and if it’s more easily found then it will save even more people going through the trial and error that I did. Thanks.

The first thing you need to do is go the Google Developers Console and log in using your Google account. If it’s the first time you’ve used it then you may need to agree to some terms and conditions.

#1 – Assuming you’ve gone through that, then the first thing you need to do is create a new project like this.

#2 – Enter a project name and click the “Create” button.

#3 – You’ll then be taken to the API Project details for the new project you just created. Click on “APIs & auth” to extend the menu list down and then click on the “Credentials” link.

#4 – Next click the “Create new Key” button under the “Public API access” section, and you’ll see a popup overlay to create your new key. There are four options and the one you want to select is the “Browser Key” button.

#5 – You’ll now see a window that allows you to generate the actual key (at last). Do NOT fill in the referrers box. This caused me a lot of problems and the key just wouldn’t work, and it only all started working when I left it blank. It actually says it’s optional but then talks about adding them before you go into production. Don’t bother and it will all work fine across all your sites.

Just click the “Create” button.

#6 – Finally, you will see the API key you need to use with your web scripts and WordPress plugins. Hurrah!

I found that the API key doesn’t work immediately, and took nearly 2 hours before the plugin I was using managed to receive authentication access from Google. So go watch a movie or do something else for a couple of hours while you’re waiting for it all to work.

Once it does start working then it will work for all your sites and not just the one you’ve first used it on.

Have fun.

-Frank Haywood

Apr

2015

Webinars Made Easier

Everything you wanted to know about webinars, but were afraid to ask…

Part of the changes I’m making in my business for this year are to provide you with useful training content.

I’ll be doing this by a series of free videos covering various topics such as copy writing, building a sales page, mindset, product creation, outsourcing and so on.

I KNOW lots of people want this kind of stuff after doing my course on auto backing up your web sites last September.

(Incidentally, there will be an updated version available soon to everyone that bought with a proper members area and an affiliate scheme. Watch this space and wait for the email – it’s no additional cost to anyone that has already purchased.)

It’s mainly swilling about in my head at the moment, and only exists as a comprehensive set of notes. But videos and documentation are coming.

Most of it will be free, some will be paid for.

And… One of the things that I’ll be doing later this year are webinars.

Webinars are easy. I know some people get a bit scared, but believe me it’s a LOT easier than standing in front of a room full of people who are waiting to hear you speak. 😉

The best bit is that you get to do the whole thing in the comfort of your own home and even have someone giving you a big hug if you need it.

No-one would ever know…

I know people like them simply because of the useful stuff you can learn, and I ALSO know that when you do any *selling* via a webinar, then people buy.

Simply, the conversion rate is much higher. It’s far more normal to achieve rates of 30-40% conversions rather 3-4%.

And I think I understand the psychology of why this is too, but I’ve not seen anyone discuss this anywhere.

Ingrained in the human psyche is the need to pay back for any perceived favours given. It’s a co-operative mutual help thing that’s been proven to help in individual’s successes.

You can read all about this in Robert B. Cialdini’s book, “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” which you can pick up for a few dollars on Amazon. Well worth it if you do ANY kind of selling – either products or services.

Anyway…

I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground for anything to do with webinars.

And then along comes this quite nice training at an 80% discount for a few days – it ends quite soon.

http://frankhaywood.com/wa/

A heads up first though. The content is good, but you have to pick your way through some of the more obvious stuff before you get to the goodies.

And the members area isn’t laid out in modules as you’d expect it to be.

Those things aside, you could do a lot worse than to grab yourself a copy of this training while it’s on discount.

I love a bargain and I figure that if I like this then you may like it too.

http://frankhaywood.com/wa/

-Frank Haywood