2) Newsletters again...

Add a checkbox to your competition entry page, order page etc. offering people chance to sign up for your newsletter (making sure to offer hook of exclusive newsletter give-aways, freebies, coupons etc. of course) and you've got a bunch of new subscribers. This is a less effective means of building your mailing list but it still works.

3) The Scavenger Hunt Competition.

Get people to browse around your website to give you answers to a question or two you propose. Think "By how much is Super Megatron 2000 reduced by this month"? and use these questions to direct people to your latest promotions and offers. Not only do you get all those extra visitors from blogs and comeptition sites like you wanted, but you also show these extra visitors highlights of your site which will either encourage them to buy there and then or bookmark you for future reference rather than hitting and running.

4) The Repeat Competition Hook

Giving away different freebies in your competitions each month ensures two things. Firstly, competition addicts (of which there are many) will hit your site every month giving you a chance to market your offers to them at least once a month. Secondly, you ensure those search result boosting links continue to multiply every month...

...and so on. If there is any aspect of your website or business you feel is a real hook and worth promoting to customers then a decent competition used correctly is perfect way to highlight it to a wide audience without spending a fortune on advertising.

But hang on, this isn't ONLY way to use competitions to your own advantage. Another great way is to not run your own competition at all but to simply SPONSOR a competition on another site. Getting into a small competition sponsorship deal with a high traffic site in a related (but non-competiting) subject area can bring some awesome targeted traffic your way. If they archive their competition results and past sponsorships, then that's another on-way link you got into bargain as well.

The possibilities here are endless and it's not going to cost you anything more than a few bucks each month in order to start ball rolling.

So what are you waiting for?

a) Encourage new customers to try out your services by offering new customers and ONLY new customers a $10 discount off their first order...when they spend $40 or more to cover your losses. So you might break even this time, or make a smaller profit, but you have probably got a new customer who'll be back next time for more.

b) Encourage people to sign up for your newsletter by offering a discount voucher for use against your products or services for all registrations. You get a newsletter registrant and a buyer all in one. Of course, you will make this pay back time and again with each newsletter you send out.

c) Ensure a customer bookmarks you site and comes back for more. Simply give away a coupon to use against their NEXT order from you. Make sure this is redeemable for orders over a 'definite profit' level (e.g. $10 of orders over $50) and you've got a winner.

See how easy this is?

2) Ebooks and Other Electronic Media

Depending on kind of business or service you are offering online, a free ebook giveaway can be an excellent freebie. This is particularly useful for getting people to join mailing lists and you can also offer different ebooks as part of upcoming newsletters too, in order to keep them reading. Make sure you can use ebook in this way however by checking with author first. Many are more than happy for exposure. Alternatively, write your own ebook and get double exposure!

3) Cheap Stuff With Your Logo All Over It...

Now this one will cost you money but if used correctly can become gift that keeps on giving. Make it something useful, especially something people will put near their computer or office and you'll be giving them a constant reminder of your services. Mouse Mats work great for this.

It will depend on your business on what you give away. For example, a toy store might want to give away a cheapo soft toy, maybe one which didn't sell or can be bought in bulk for peanuts. Slap your branding on it (put a ribbon with you internet address around its neck for example) and voila! Now this freebie becomes a viral advertising machine because these things get left on buses, given away to charity shops, handed down to younger children and so on.

4) Free Services and Samples

Giving away samples of your services is a great way of showcasing your talents and encouraging people to buy. This works particularly well with intangible products, like graphic design services for example. I would advise caution giving samples of physical products however as many people will grab anything they can regardless of whether they are in slightest bit interested in what you have to offer and this could give you a real headache in terms of costs and time spent packaging and mailing.

...and of course your own ideas! You know your business better than anyone and there are bound to be ideas specifically suited to your own business area. Think about it!

Everybody loves a freebie and so will your bottom line.