Third, compile a list of article archives that accept contributions in your topic area, such as http://www.articles911.com/, http://www.expertarticles.com/, http://www.ezinearticles.com/, and http://makingprofit.com/mp/articles/submit.shtml.

Fourth, explore both on-line and offline e-zines and newsletters. There are several directories to help you target those to which your article is relevant, including http://www.ezine-dir.com/, http://www.ezinesearch.com/search-it/ezine/, and http://www.ezinelocater.com/.

And lastly, consider performing another web search, this time for your specific topic (e.g., "employee retention"). I would even recommend taking it a step further by utilizing search phrase "employee retention articles," for example, to generate a list of web pages that are compilations of links to articles similar to your own. This is a terrific way to be "found" by individuals actively researching your topic.

It is imperative that you review editorial and formatting guidelines for each site and customize your article accordingly. Most web sites that accept contributions include a page with submission information and requirements, or provide editor's email address so that he or she may be contacted directly with questions.

If your article is accepted, it may take up to three months for it to "go live." Some web sites do not acknowledge receipt of your submission and may even publish it without notifying you. It is important, therefore, that you create a log to record, follow-up, and track your submissions.

Consider adding a page to your web site that lists where your work has been "featured," and update it each time an article is published or reprinted.

As mentioned in opening of this article, on-line promotion is a continuous process. To keep momentum going, it is recommended that you develop new articles as often as time allows and repeat submission process at least once each quarter. Be sure to create a "Bookmark" (Netscape) or "Favorite" (Internet Explorer) file for web sites you identify, giving yourself a "head start" when writing on similar topics in future.

While submitting articles can be a tedious and time-consuming endeavor, free publicity and client leads it generates make it well worth effort. And if publishers value you as a consistent source of high-quality content, you may even be invited to serve as a columnist or regular contributor. Doing so will keep you in regular contact with people with whom you wish to do business - enabling you to position yourself as a problem solver, a strategic partner and, most importantly, permit you to remain "top" in minds of your potential and existing clients."

Bonnie Jo Davis is the author of the new special report "Articles That Sell: Use The Best Kept Secret Of The Internet To Promote Your Business For FREE!". To learn more about Bonnie and her favorite free marketing tactic visit http://www.articlesthatsell.com/.

c) ones who don't really intend to buy any of your products, but are in for ride because of all "free stuff" you can give them.

Many old "free web hosting" companies learned this lesson hard way, and ended up either charging high service fees to quickly recoup their expenses (and repel their thousands of non-profitable members), or closing shop altogether.

(And that is something you CLEARLY don't want to do.)

3. Define clearly what you expect from potential list ----------------------------------------------------- members -- and what THEY can expect from you. ---------------------------------------------

Although at first this sounds rather cold & uninviting, it's actually a rule that's sustained oldest successful mailing lists and best of new ones.

Our most ideal clients are ones who hold personal values & business visions similar to our own. This same formula applies to ideal mailing list members.

You created your list for a reason; people sign up for your list also for a reason. If both these reasons are synergetic enough, then you and your list members can enjoy a long and satisfying relationship not just through email, but through actual business interactions as well.

4. Manage smarter, not harder. ------------------------------

A business owner's many responsibilities are taxing enough as it is, so you don't want role of "mailing list moderator" to be too complicated to get in way of your other roles. So:

- Combine your website promotion efforts with your mailing list awareness campaigns.

- Automate as many functions as possible, but step in with a personal touch when it really matters to your customer.

- Actively seek your members' input in keeping your list dynamic & useful for everyone.

- And remain true to your list's original purpose & vision, creating a real service for you & your members.

So what if you apply all these principles and you end up with a list of just 200 members?

If you sent them a single announcement for an online sale, and more than 100 of them visited your site & more than 50 made actual purchases, then THAT'S a MAXIMIZED mailing list indeed!

© Tatiana Velitchkov