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__Search Engines and Major Indexes.
Web surfers regularly use search engines and indexes to pinpoint exactly what they're looking for. Although more and more search engines and major indexes are now charging for reviews and/or listings, some of them (such as Google, http://www.google.com/ ) are still free.
It takes time and effort to learn how to properly optimize your site for
search engines. It's no good to be #138475 out of 1437593 search results; no one will ever find you! Learn more about search engine optimization at http://www.searchenginewatch.com/ .
It's well worth time and trouble to get properly positioned -- if you get a good listing, it could mean a steady stream of targeted traffic.
__Free Publicity.
Imagine getting a radio or TV interview, or a write-up in a popular magazine whose readers are your target market. It's great exposure, and best of all, it's free! Many small busineses simply can't afford advertising rates... and even if you could, publicity is even better because radio show, TV show, or magazine provides credibility to your offer.
An excellent site to learn about free publicity is http://www.prprofits.com/ .
__Referral Marketing.
Encourage happy customers to tell their friends about your business. This is a great way to build your customer base, year after year, through power of 'snowball' effect -- a happy customer tells a friend, who tells a friend, who tells a friend...
Referrals also tend to be easier to convert into paying customers because your product has been 'endorsed' by someone they know and trust.
You can offer incentives such as discounts or a free gift to encourage referrals. Regardless of whether or not referred party makes a purchase, be sure to thank your customer for referral -- reward his behavior and he'll be more inclined to repeat it.
__Write and Distribute Articles, Reports, eBooks...
Create useful free content and include a brief blurb about your product along with a URL. Encourage people to pass it around. Indicate that websites and newsletter editors are welcome to offer it as a gift, bonus, or premium to their vistors, subject to your publishing guidelines.
If you do this consistently, you can eventually have thousands of links back to your business all over web! And more people pass it around, more exposure you'll get.
You can do this with practically anything: articles, columns, lists, reports, eBooks, software, worksheets... use your imagination!
__Joint Ventures.
Approach complementary businesses with win-win proposals. A simple and common 'JV' is an ad swap: you each publish one another's solo ads to your respective lists. You both avoid paying out-of-pocket expenses and have opportunity to reach a new group of targeted prospects.
Another 'twist' to this common JV is to send endorsed ads to one another's lists. Review each other's products and, if it's worthy, mail an endorsed message to your readers. Endorsements usually outperform 'regular' ads because it comes from someone readers trust (the editor).
The beauty of Internet is that it allows you to run a business with very little money. The 'secret' is knowing which of available free resources are worth your time!
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Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical guide to building an Internet business on a shoestring budget. If you're tired of hype and just want solid, down-to-earth information, then visit us now -- and in moments you can have access to loads of instantly useable tips, specifically chosen for beginners! http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html
