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INTERNET MARKETING
The best SEO these days is about keyword research, anchor text, article marketing, directory marketing, getting one-way links and using social media.
Advertising
There are so many options when it comes to advertising it can be expensive to figure out what works, and especially for what doesn't work.
Perhaps these tips can help others.
Craigslist! Yes indeed, they're free and they get read!
If you find something works-stick with it! Some ads have been running over and over again-because it works. You know the ad that says "Where are they now"? and you click to find your high school chums? Yep!
When thinking of advertising a product, I ask myself these questions.
- If I needed to buy this product or service, where would I look?
- What type of person would need this?
- Where would they look?
- Where do they hang out, who are their social groups?
- Know your target audience.
If your customer knows you're advertising, they get defensive. It's darn near impossible to sale to someone who thinks you're just trying to sell them something.
So, you need to go in through the side door so to speak.
Narrow down your specific potential customers as much as possible. An ad in a national magazine classified may get thousands of readers but a local, like-interest, or specific community/club/activities newsletter would more than likely get better results, with only 50 readers, for a lot less money.
Public Relations-Of course a press release is always a good idea. If your net-savvy you can submit them free. Or, another great way to get your word out is to volunteer, or give away services. Perhaps you could check with local organizations and offer services for someone on a limited income needing help, or by offering services by winning a prize drawing. You never know where your next best customer is, or who they may recommend you to.
Example: Say someone repairs computers...
1. Be a regular contributor to bulletin boards/forums. Help people by answering their questions. Become the expert. When they (or their friends) need your services (or product), they will think of you, and they will trust you because you are the expert.
2. Contact any place that teaches computer classes. Let them know about your services, ask about their classes, check if they have a newsletter or a registration notice for upcoming classes and ask about advertising in it.
3. Find businesses that would probably have several computers, but not likely to have an in-house IT person. Send them a marketing letter.
They need to know you, like you, then trust you. This is especially important for doing business online.
Brainstorm, network, be where your customers are, partner with like-businesses, always ask for referrals, testimonials, and of course, build that priceless marketing tool-the Contact List.
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