Post by Admin on Jan 10, 2006 5:51:27 GMT -5
Market Your Online Business For Less
Copyright 2006 Sandra Le Vaguereze
Business can get expensive. If you are like most people
starting an online business you may quickly find your
savings tapped and your credit cards maxed. That is, unless
you know how to market your online business for free - or
nearly free.
There are many ways to market your business, but not all
methods deliver the same results to every business. While
you learn your way around the online business world it
makes sense to start with the cheap or free methods of
marketing before spending a lot of money on a system that
will not work for you.
Here are three methods for marketing your business for
little or no cost. Some will work better than others and
some will take longer to show results. Find out the costs
as well as the Pros and Cons of each method.
MARKETING METHOD ONE: TRAFFIC EXCHANGES
Traffic exchanges are very popular for new online
businesses. They can be free or charge a monthly fee. The
way they work is that each member views other members
websites, usually for a specified period of time, to build
credits. Their sites will then be displayed to other
members depending on the number of websites they have
viewed.
PRO: Usually free. Lots of traffic quickly. CON: Traffic is
not targeted so usually works better for businesses that
appeal to a wide audience. Viewing other members websites
is time consuming.
MARKETING METHOD TWO: ONLINE FORUMS
Forums are online communities that discuss specific topics.
There are forums (or discussion groups) on just about any
topic you can think of. You can find these by doing a
search for 'forum' and your topic. Or you can go to Google
and search the Groups for your key word or phrase. Forums
are usually free to join.
Most forums do not allow commercial solicitations. The
focus is on exchanging information. Be prepared to add
useful comments to the discussion and follow the posted
rules. You may be allowed to attach a signature to your
comments. Put your website in the signature to attract the
search engine spiders and send visitors to your site.
Develop a reputation as an expert on your topic and give
free advice when possible to build credibility.
PRO: Targeted traffic. Builds credibility CON: Have to be
careful not to be labeled as "spam". Must spend time
answering questions and posting comments. Depending on
where you post and what you say you may or may not see a
lot of traffic initially.
MARKETING METHOD THREE: NEWSLETTERS
Start your own newsletter right away. While this does not
bring traffic to your site it does take advantage of the
visitors who do come. The code for collecting emails can
often be obtained from your host provider for free or an
autoresponder service which is free or paid depending on
your service.
Have a place for visitors to enter their email address and
name. Send them a free report or email once a week with
tips or news about your topic. This will permit you to
build a relationship with prospects as well as grant you
permission to contact them again with your offer. It often
takes up to seven contacts before a prospect will buy, so
don't let them leave without getting their email!
PRO: Permits you to contact interested prospects again.
Builds relationship with customers and potential customers.
CON: Effort is needed to provide quality information on a
regular basis. Does not attract new visitors.
Each of the marketing strategies outlined above are proven
to work. What works best for you and your business will
depend on various factors such as; what your business is,
what time you can spend marketing and what information you
can provide. Start using two or all three of these methods
and you will be creating a solid marketing foundation for
your business.
About the Author:
Sandra Le Vaguereze has successfully started an online
business with the help of this program:
www.PlugInProfitSite.com/main-11349 and is the
webmaster of www.MakeMoneyOnlineAnywhere.net
Copyright 2006 Sandra Le Vaguereze
Business can get expensive. If you are like most people
starting an online business you may quickly find your
savings tapped and your credit cards maxed. That is, unless
you know how to market your online business for free - or
nearly free.
There are many ways to market your business, but not all
methods deliver the same results to every business. While
you learn your way around the online business world it
makes sense to start with the cheap or free methods of
marketing before spending a lot of money on a system that
will not work for you.
Here are three methods for marketing your business for
little or no cost. Some will work better than others and
some will take longer to show results. Find out the costs
as well as the Pros and Cons of each method.
MARKETING METHOD ONE: TRAFFIC EXCHANGES
Traffic exchanges are very popular for new online
businesses. They can be free or charge a monthly fee. The
way they work is that each member views other members
websites, usually for a specified period of time, to build
credits. Their sites will then be displayed to other
members depending on the number of websites they have
viewed.
PRO: Usually free. Lots of traffic quickly. CON: Traffic is
not targeted so usually works better for businesses that
appeal to a wide audience. Viewing other members websites
is time consuming.
MARKETING METHOD TWO: ONLINE FORUMS
Forums are online communities that discuss specific topics.
There are forums (or discussion groups) on just about any
topic you can think of. You can find these by doing a
search for 'forum' and your topic. Or you can go to Google
and search the Groups for your key word or phrase. Forums
are usually free to join.
Most forums do not allow commercial solicitations. The
focus is on exchanging information. Be prepared to add
useful comments to the discussion and follow the posted
rules. You may be allowed to attach a signature to your
comments. Put your website in the signature to attract the
search engine spiders and send visitors to your site.
Develop a reputation as an expert on your topic and give
free advice when possible to build credibility.
PRO: Targeted traffic. Builds credibility CON: Have to be
careful not to be labeled as "spam". Must spend time
answering questions and posting comments. Depending on
where you post and what you say you may or may not see a
lot of traffic initially.
MARKETING METHOD THREE: NEWSLETTERS
Start your own newsletter right away. While this does not
bring traffic to your site it does take advantage of the
visitors who do come. The code for collecting emails can
often be obtained from your host provider for free or an
autoresponder service which is free or paid depending on
your service.
Have a place for visitors to enter their email address and
name. Send them a free report or email once a week with
tips or news about your topic. This will permit you to
build a relationship with prospects as well as grant you
permission to contact them again with your offer. It often
takes up to seven contacts before a prospect will buy, so
don't let them leave without getting their email!
PRO: Permits you to contact interested prospects again.
Builds relationship with customers and potential customers.
CON: Effort is needed to provide quality information on a
regular basis. Does not attract new visitors.
Each of the marketing strategies outlined above are proven
to work. What works best for you and your business will
depend on various factors such as; what your business is,
what time you can spend marketing and what information you
can provide. Start using two or all three of these methods
and you will be creating a solid marketing foundation for
your business.
About the Author:
Sandra Le Vaguereze has successfully started an online
business with the help of this program:
www.PlugInProfitSite.com/main-11349 and is the
webmaster of www.MakeMoneyOnlineAnywhere.net