SFI is pleased to announce built-in instant messaging at the Affiliate Center. You can now instant-message with both upline and downline members right from within the SFI Affiliate Center!

To use SFIM, just look for the "yellow SFIM bubbles." That is, on your Genealogy, on My Movers, on Affiliate Manager pages, and on your Upline Team page, you'll see a small bubble icon. If it's gray, that indicates the person is not online at the Affiliate Center. If the bubble is YELLOW, however, that means they ARE online currently and you can initiate an online conversation with them instantly.

Initiating a conversion is super simple. Just click on the yellow bubble!

On their end, a pulsating "SFIM" icon will appear in the header (of the Affiliate Center). Clicking on this icon will allow them to proceed to a live instant messaging conversation with you if they wish to.

Here are four tips for using SFIM:

1. The easiest way to see who's online right now is to go to your genealogy and choose the "Online" filter. Select Online = Yes, then click the "filter" button and you'll see a listing of everyone in your downline who is currently online at the Affiliate Center. You can now initiate conversations by clicking the yellow bubbles beside their names. If no names appear, this means no one in your downline is currently visiting the Affiliate Center, but you can of course try again later.

2. If you're chatting with a person who's primary language is different than your own, keep Google Translate open in a another window browser so you can cut and paste text as needed to translate your conversation.

3. Just as this article emphasizes, when you're initiating contact with downline members, focus on how you can help them. Use SFIM to support and assist your downline and you will build a stronger, more profitable group.

4. If you see the yellow bubble beside your sponsor's name in the top right corner of the header at the Affiliate Center, this indicates your sponsor is online currently. Click the yellow bubble to initiate a conversation with your sponsor.

Check out our new Language Translation page for a great rundown of browser extensions you can use to automatically translate Affiliate Center pages into one of more than 50 supported languages. The article includes easy installation instructions for the most popular browsers (FireFox, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc.).

Language Translation extensions offer a superior alternative to the translation service we were using previously because the functionality is built right in to your browser with dozens of languages supported.

Check out this article for descriptions and download instructions for language translation extensions for your browser.

Note: More tools and resources for SFI's international affiliates are coming soon.

Effectively immediately, we've made the following new Gateway domain available:

http://www.SFI4.com

We will immediately begin referring affiliates to this new domain wherever we display Gateway URLs at the SFI Affiliate Center (such as https://www.sfimg.com/MyAccount/GatewayList.sfi).  And we encourage all affiliates to begin using this new domain in their marketing.

For anyone using previously released domains like https://www.ezinfocenter.com and https://www. quickinfo247.com, etc., you'll want to start phasing out your use of them over the next 14 months.

Important:  The main reason we need to make this change is the little "s" in the current Gateway domains most of you are using.  That is, the "https" prefix (the "s" indicating they are secure sites).  This "s" is a element left over from years ago when those domains were used in conjunction with earlier SFI e-commerce sites that needed secure status.  Today, it's not needed, and that little "s" keeps us from making certain improvements to our Gateways (example: adding automatic language translation).  So we need to get everyone off the old domains and on to the new http://www.SFI4.com so we are no longer encumbered.

If all of this sounds complicated, don't fret!  Here's all you need to know/do:

1. Wherever you're using an old secure Gateway domain (such as https//www.ezinfocenter.com), just swap in the new domain: http://www.SFI4.com.  That's it.  There's no major rush, but just make sure you do so before the end of 2010.  As of January 2011, the basic domain WILL continue to work, but someone using the link will get a message about the site no longer being secure--which it doesn't need to be as explained earlier--but it may cause them concern and/or make them abort proceeding.

2. If you're new to SFI or you don't have any links out there pointing to an old Gateway domain, you don't have to do anything.

If you have any questions, please contact an SFI Affiliate Support Team Member HERE. 

We are just finishing up commission processing for September revenue. As soon as processing is completed, commissions will be posted and, shortly thereafter, Standing Orders for October will be processed, VersaPoints awarded, etc.

Lesson #62: PPC Search Marketing, Part XI - Balancing Your Ads

Course author, George Little, continues his discussion of social networking as it relates to your home business. In Lesson 62, you'll learn specific techniques to balance and adjust your ads to help you get just the right amount of clicks you're looking for.

Check it out at:
https://www.sfimg.com/Training/Lesson62.sfi

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Speaking of George Little, don't forget to check out "Internet Income" Volume 1 in the SFI Affiliate Store. George shares his vast knowledge of Internet Marketing to empower hard-working men and women who strive to achieve success and independence. Take this book with you wherever you go for easy reference to well-researched information and proven strategies designed to get your business off and running.

Some of the strategies included in Internet Income Volume 1 are:

* How to analyze Internet traffic at your own site(s),

* The 10 most common Internet marketing methods used by successful SFI Affiliates,

* How to submit your Website(s) to the Yahoo Search Engine,

* Paying for search engine attention and ranking,

* Free advertising strategies and much much more.

Order your hard copy of "Internet Income" and begin your climb up the SFI Leader Board at:

http://www.tripleclicks.com/detail.php?item=5571

Less than 30 days to go...who will win these Peak Performer bonuses for the 3rd Quarter of 2009 (ending September 30th)?

* $1,000 for first place
* $500 for second place
* $200 for third place
* $100 for 4th through 10th place
* 100 free TripleClicks Credits for 11th through 20th place

Here are the 20 Top Sellers in-the-running:

David Smith (Australia)
Aruna Tina gift (Nigeria)
Robert Pickett (Florida, US)
Gary Estep (Maryland, US)
William Moore (Colorado, US)
Javier Montoya (California, US)
NandB Dormaier (South Dakota, US)
Larry Mcgowens (Maryland, US)
Aruna Olafemi mutiu (Nigeria)
David Verrill (North Carolina, US)
Terra Kern (Michigan, US)
David Wynn (California, US)
Dimitra Moore (Greece)
Matthew Cooper (Minnesota, US)
Mazi Okwudili Nwa-Anyajike (Liberia)
Tamberlee Scheer (Colorado, US)
David Linden (United States)
Donald Thorn (Texas, US)
John Cox (Montana, US)
George Heustis (California, US)

Here are the 20 Top Sponsors in-the-running:

Andrews DKofi (Malaysia)
Maruf ahmed Adi (Bangladesh)
Rajesh Kumar (India)
Agus Singgih Budiyono (Indonesia)
Matthew kofi Amenyedor (New York, US)
Ewen Chia Ti Wah (Singapore)
Russel Khan (Bangladesh)
Cynthia Minnaar (South Africa)
Shawn Herring (Pennsylvania, US)
Josie Athilla (Indonesia)
vijayakumar rajan (India)
David Smith (Australia)
Home Business Team (Greece)
Traffic Swarm (Colorado, US)
Chris Simpson (New Mexico, US)
Chimerenka Odimba (Nigeria)
Go Gondo Willyanto (Indonesia)
Tamberlee Scheer (Colorado, US)
Dimitra Moore (Greece)
Rebecca Smith (Kansas, US)

Here are the 20 Top Leadership Builders in-the-running:

Stone Evans (Texas, US)
Ewen Chia Ti Wah (Singapore)
Kirk Bannerman (California, US)
Erich Winnecke (Indiana, US)
David Smith (Australia)
Steven Sashen (Colorado, US)
Tamberlee Scheer (Colorado, US)
Rich Strayer (Colorado, US)
Leon McKee (Oregon, US)
Chris Simpson (New Mexico, US)
Rebecca Smith (Kansas, US)
Bing Obaldo (Texas, US)
Bernard St-Pierre (Quebec, CA)
Judy Pierce (Nebraska, US)
Work at home Team (Greece)
Luther McDaniels (California, US)
Justin Borland (California, US)
Louis Burrows (Maine, US)
Traffic Swarm (Colorado, US)
Fifi Djosan (Indonesia)

For complete details on the Peak Performer Contest and how YOU can qualify to win, see the Peak Performer contest rules page.

To: All SFI Affiliates
From: Gery Carson, SFI President

WOW! That's a word we're saying a lot around the SFI corporate offices these days. Since our launch of the VersaPoints program, Co-Sponsorships, VP Rewards, etc., on August 5th, there has been an absolute whirlwind of growth and activity.

- We've seen new Executive Affiliates (EAs) skyrocket to over 25 times the prior daily average (a more than 2500% increase)!

- In just 21 days, more new, first-time EAs have been generated than the entire months of February, March, April, May, June, and July COMBINED!

- As I write this, we've added 271 new Bronze Team Leaders, 48 new Silver Team Leaders, 8 new Gold Team Leaders, and 10 new Platinum Team Leaders! Again, these numbers, are from just the last 21 days!...and represent more new, first-time Team Leaders than in all of 2008 and 2009 (through August 4th) combined! WOW! (There's that word again.)

- Traffic and sales at TripleClicks have also taken a major jump.

We've definitely had a HUGE breakthrough. And the numbers keep getting better because:

A. Large numbers of affiliates are now joining SFI and immediately getting active. People "get" the new VersaPoints system right away and it shows.

B. More and more leaders are becoming aware of the giant increase in activity in their groups and they're aggressively increasing their focus on SFI.

Because of all this, we may be only at the beginning of a long and prodigious growth cycle! Make sure you're not missing the boat. If you haven't yet fully got up to speed on what's happened, begin reading the articles below that have posted since August 4th.

IMPORTANT REMINDER!

I also wanted to make sure that, if you haven't achieved it already, that you're aware of what you'll receive with 2500 VersaPoints this month.

As first announced on August 5th, co-sponsors for all affiliates who joined SFI on or before July 31, 2009 will be assigned in September. Here's how we're going to assign them:

Every SFI affiliate who achieves 2500 or more VersaPoints in August is going to receive one equal share of the assignments of the tens of thousands of pre-August 1st affiliates and all the financial benefits that come with them.

As an affiliate's Co-Sponsor, you can immediately begin earning up to 24% CV commissions on all their purchases (plus an additional 4% to 8% on all their sales)! This benefit can also continue monthly (for exact commission details and qualifications, see the SFI Compensation Plan at: www.sfimg.com/compplan/ ).

How many can you expect to receive? That's very difficult to know because we have no idea how many of you are going to hit the 2500 points mark by the end of the month. However, we expect that each share will represent at least several dozen affiliates and possibly one hundred or more. It's definitely a potentially very valuable asset you'll want to pursue.

All assignments will be done completely at random or a combination of random and geographical matching. That is, we may assign a small percentage of Co-Sponsorships by COUNTRY. Example: If you live in Malaysia, a portion of your assignments may also be citizens of Malaysia. All others will be assigned at random.

Again, to receive your share of assignments, simply achieve at least 2500 VersaPoints by the end of August 2009. In early September, we will then make all the assignments and, shortly thereafter, they will appear in your genealogy (color coded in green).

To see how many VersaPoints you've scored so far this month and to see what other actions you can take to earn more, just visit your SFI Homepage.

For more information on Co-Sponsorships, see Frequently Asked Questions at:

http://www.sfimg.com/Resources/CoSponsorFAQ.sfi

P.S. Don't forget...this 2500 point bonus is a ONE-TIME-ONLY event...and you must qualify by the end of the month.

As you know from August 5th's announcements (see below), SFI is now sporting some very exciting new components, including the new VersaPoints system, Co-Sponsorships, VP Rewards, and more.

And as we finish our second week, the numbers just keep getting better.

- In just 14 days, we've seen new EAs skyrocket to over 21 times the prior daily average (a more than 2100% increase)!

- In just 14 days, more new, first-time EAs have been generated than the entire months of March, April, May, June, and July COMBINED!

- We've added more than 130 brand new Bronze Team Leaders, 25 brand new Silver Team Leaders, 10 brand new Gold Team Leaders, and three brand new Platinum Team Leaders! Again, these numbers, are from just the last 14 days!...and represent more new, first-time Team Leaders than in all of 2008 and 2009 (through August 4th) combined! WOW!

We've definitely had a HUGE breakthrough! And the numbers keep getting better because more and more affiliates are now learning about it.

Here's what SFI affiliate, Malcolm Coston, told us earlier this week:

Like some, I was a little confused and overwhelmed being a 2 year affiliate with SFI. After a few days I think I see the light. What makes VersaPoints unique and very innovative in a sense is that it pushes old and new affiliates alike to the right actions that build a business. I like to call it "Duplication by VersaPoints."

A major complaint that I have had since being with SFI is affiliates not taking action and not duplicating correctly. The point accumulation process actually teaches new affiliates how to build their business. The number one question that is being asked of me and folks in my downline now is "How do I get more points?" New affiliates are starting to see that "key" points come from that little area of the chart called TEAM BUILDING. In addition to that, new affiliates are becoming quite interested in the 2000 VP's points that can me earned via TripleClicks purchases. I am noticing that on my marketing team that folks are so interested in the point accumulation process that they are experimenting with some of the actions. I am seeing more and more new affiliates actually sponsoring!! They are seeing that they immediately receive credit for this action and others.

In my opinion, the true strength of my marketing team is through duplication, producing leveraged income and the purchasing of products and services that SFI has to offer. The VersaPoints systems is awesome!! It's a win-win for everyone. SFI becomes stronger and, as affiliates, our marketing teams become stronger. When good things like VersaPoints are developed it can make it very difficult for SFI to ever go away and as an affiliate I feel confident in knowing that SFI combined with my actions is the key to my financial future.

The picture is bigger than points. The VersaPoints programs pushes folks to the right actions that will build their business.

The new VersaPoints system, Co-Sponsorships, VP Rewards, etc. introduced last Wednesday are having a MAJOR IMPACT:

- In less than six days, we've seen new EAs skyrocket over 10 times (a more than 1000% increase)!

- In just the first five days, more EAs were generated than the entire month of July!

- We've added over 60 brand new Bronze Team Leaders, ten brand new Silver Team Leaders, and two brand new Gold Team Leaders!

- We're also seeing a MASSIVE increase in almost every SFI activity!

What makes the above statistics even more amazing is that the new components haven't even been online a week yet! Tens of thousands of our affiliates haven't even heard about it or logged in at the Affiliate Center yet to check it out. And some of the new system's features haven't even yet been fully released.

We're also hearing LOTS of fantastic testimonials. Here are just a few:
_____________________________________________________

"I already see a WORLD of difference in the activity levels of my PSAs since the launch of the new system."

"SFI is SIMPLE now. Thank you!"

"Already in only the first few days there has been an ENORMOUS increase in activity. New affiliates entering the system fresh are especially showing an increase in activity."
_____________________________________________________

The bottom line is, we've just had a MAJOR breakthrough at SFI. Make sure you get up to speed on what has occurred and make sure you don't miss out on the major bonus available for everyone who achieves 2500 VersaPoints or more by the end of the month.

If you haven't yet got the details, they're all awaiting you below.

A new article by SFI president Gery Carson has just been posted at the "SFI INSIGHTS" blog. Check it out HERE.

Today we are very excited to introduce to you a more powerful and simpler SFI. What we've done is rebuild SFI around a simple concept we call "VersaPoints."

In short, the more points you accumulate, the more money you'll earn with SFI!

More points also means valuable perks and "power tools" to help you fully maximize your profits.

How do you earn points?

Again, very simple. On your SFI Homepage, we now list for you all the actions you can take to earn points.

Each time you complete an action, you instantly earn the points attached to that action. Some actions are worth 20 points, some 30 points, some as much as 100 points, and so on. Once you complete an action, we remove it from your SFI Homepage.

You can also earn unlimited VersaPoints on sales and purchases from TripleClicks.

Then, at the end of the month, we'll add up all the points you've earned during the month and award you the benefits accorded by your point total. It's that simple!

To see what these benefits, perks, and payouts are, we've created an important new page...the SFI Benefits Chart. Check it out here:

https://www.sfimg.com/Reference/ComparisonChart.sfi

As the new Benefits Chart shows, all ranks and earnings levels are now based on the VersaPoints you score each month.

That is, you can now earn EA (Executive Affiliate) status via points!...which can come from any combination of actions, sales, and/or purchases!

Yes, we've now made it so those who are just getting started and have minimal funds to invest, can earn executive status through recruiting other affiliates, getting trained, etc. Especially for many countries outside the United States, SFI has just taken a huge step forward in viability! And we look forward to welcoming many, many new Executive Affiliates across the globe.

You'll also notice that there are now SEVEN earnings levels, starting at 500 points.

VersaPoints doesn't stop there though. We also use your points for our Power Rank program. Power Rank allows you to see how you stack up against your fellow SFI'ers. The more points you accumulate, the higher your rank can go. We rank you in three ways:

A. Your overall Power Rank tells you where you rank amongst ALL active SFI affiliates worldwide.

B. Your Country Rank tells you where you rank amongst the active SFI affiliates in your country.

C. Your Class Rank tells you where you rank amongst the active SFI affiliates in your class (i.e. all SFI affiliates who joined SFI the same day you did).

TIP: You can see the points you've earned so far for the month, your cumulate point total to date, and also your current overall Power Rank, Country Rank, and Class Rank anytime at your SFI Homepage.

ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS:

Q: Why is a system based on points better than what we had before?
A: Much of what has compelled this change has come from the Power Rank program. As you know, Power Rank primarily is just a method for seeing how you stack up against your peers in SFI. Our affiliates just love it though and they love the points system. Since introducing the Power Rank program earlier this year, activities that have been tied to points are being performed at a rate of 10-20 times what they were prior to Power Rank! This is a HUGE increase!...and now imagine what we might see with all ranks, qualifications, and benefits tied to points production!

Bottom line: People just seem to immediately grasp a points-based system. It's clean, simple, easy-to-understand, and allows our affiliates to get started right away on the activities they need to do to build a successful business!

Q: Do we still have the titles of Executive Affiliate, Bronze Team Leader, Silver Team Leader, etc.?
A: Yes, the only difference is that now you qualify for them exclusively via points each month.

Q: What if I'm short a few points of the level I wish to achieve for the month? Can I buy products at TripleClicks to make up the difference?
A: Yes

Q: Can I achieve the Executive Affiliate (EA) level of 1500 points with a combination of actions?
A: Yes, you can achieve it with any combination of actions, sales, and/or purchases. So long as you generate a minimum of 1500 points during the month, you qualify as an EA.

Q: Can I also achieve the Team Leader levels with a combination of actions?
A. Yes, you can achieve all Team Leader ranks with combinations of actions, sales, and/or purchases. However, for Team Leader qualifications, there is a minimum of 1500 points and a maximum of 2000 points from sales or purchases.

Q: How does the old SVP (Sales Volume Points) translate into VersaPoints?
A: 10 SVP is equal to 1500 VersaPoints, which is the point total needed for Executive Affiliate status. So if you had a 10 SVP Standing Order to maintain your EA rank, you'll continue to maintain that same rank with your now 1500 VP Standing Order.

Q: So I don't have to do anything to my Standing Order to continue to be an EA?
A: That is correct. You're all set.

ADDED 8/5/06 11:16 PM
Q: I understand that I earn 100 VersaPoints for each personally sponsored EA, 150 for each personally sponsored BTL, and up to 300 for a PTL. When do I receive those points?
A: As soon as those affiliates achieve the rank, which in many cases will be when Standing Orders are processed.

ADDED 8/6/09 12:04 AM
Q: Why does it appear that my points dropped like a rock?!
A: You have your TOTAL, cumulative VersaPoints total and you have your VersaPoints total for THIS MONTH. Make sure you understand the difference. The former is what your Power Rank is based on. The latter (like getting to 10 SVP used to) determines your payouts, perks, etc. for this month. See your VP Personal Scoreboard to see both numbers and for more details.

The new "VersaPoints-centric" system allows us to do some amazing things. One of these is a sleek, new "getting started" system for brand new affiliates.

Effective today, brand new SFI registrants will experience a much simpler, streamlined experience upon joining SFI. New affiliates will be presented with three easy steps for getting started.

Step 1 is confirming their registration. Special note: Confirming ones registration is now REQUIRED to proceed.

Step 2 is whitelisting SFI's mailing address (mail@sfimg.com).

Step 3 is essentially a brief explanation of VersaPoints ("the more you score, the more income you can earn with SFI") and then directing them to the new SFI Homepage where they can begin earning points immediately from the pointable actions list provided there. Of course, there's some added excitement because we also point out that they've already earned 400 VersaPoints by confirming their registration and whitelisting SFI!

During this process, we also let them know that they will begin receiving our exclusive LaunchPad training starting the next day and how they can earn the four LaunchPad Rewards by completing each of the 30 days' lessons.

Be watching for some big announcements in the next 48 hours!

We're working on something BIG for an early August launch!! Because of this, news updates will be infrequent for a few days.

TripleClicks customers can now view their store pages in the language of their choice. Just scroll down to the Languages drop down menu below the department listings on the left side of the homepage, and select a language. As you progress through the store, the pages should automatically translate into your chosen language (may take a few seconds to complete when you go to a new page).