5) A well written and intriguing press release can lead to stories in press that increase sales, enhance credibility and give your company a competitive advantage. For free distribution use PR Web at http://www.prweb.com. PR Web maintains a database of over 60,000 media contacts who receive daily e-mail listings of press releases which match their topic criteria. If you need help creating and formatting your press releases consider purchasing software such as Press Release O-Matic at http://www.press-release-creator.com/.

6) Sponsor events and contests. Grand openings of shopping centers, businesses, car dealerships, etc. are some events you may want to sponsor along with fairs, festivals, open houses and community events. You can locate on-line contests to sponsor at About.com. They offer a very good searchable directory of contests at http://contests.about.com/. Be sure to publicize your sponsorship on your web site and mention it in your newsletter and in your press releases.

7) Solicit testimonials and use them. Request a testimonial from every past and current client. Offer sample testimonials or an outline to those clients who are reluctant writers. Send out testimonials to prospects, include them in your marketing materials, add them to your web site and e-mail signature block, add one to each press release and put them on back of your business cards.

8) Frequent newsgroups, topical lists and on-line boards that cater to your profession or your target audience. Offer free advice, URLs of helpful articles or web sites and your opinion. Don't overtly promote. Be wise and helpful while showing your expertise and your reputation as someone to be trusted will grow. Marcia Yudkin of http://www.yudkin.com has done this very successfully for years. Now she's known near and far for her marketing expertise and her opinion is very well respected.

Building your public relations presence is an ongoing process that is most effectively achieved when you employ multiple strategies. Develop a plan, think creatively, promote consistently and your business will stand out from crowd!

(c) 2003, Davis Virtual Assistance. All rights reserved.

Permission to public is granted in all venues so long as by-line remains intact.

Terry: Back-end sales are very nice. With that in mind, how often do you contact individuals on your opt-in prospect list and customer list?

Michael: I publish a weekly newsletter to my newsletter list to keep me on their mind. Whenever I have a good offer, I contact my customer list. I don’t want to keep bothering them unless I have an important announcement.

Terry: Quality versus quantity! How important is promotion and sale of affiliate programs?

Michael: It’s very important! The majority of my income comes from affiliate programs. Even if you have your own products, affiliate programs are a great way to earn extra profits.

Terry: The returns from promoting affiliate programs are worth effort. What strategy do you employ with affiliate programs you promote?

Michael: I promote programs at different price levels but not to just make money. The program has to be a good, something I can talk about and of interest to my list. If affiliate programs are going to be your main business, develop a free report to get prospects on your email list. Next, promote affiliate programs in your newsletter.

Terry: Sounds simple enough! Do you recruit affiliates to sell your products/services?

Michael: Most of my product sales come from affiliates. However, you can’t sit around and wait for affiliates to come to you. You must go out and actively recruit them. You want affiliates to have large email lists and credibility in your niche. Give these affiliates a free copy of your product and a large commission for each sale.

Terry: Results depend on successful recruiting. What do most Internet marketers do wrong in trying to build a successful business?

Michael: They forget main purpose of Internet marketing! Find a hungry niche market and provide customers with good products. Some marketers get lost in “hype” of Internet and forget basic economic principles.

Terry: You have very thoughtful insight. Moving along. How can you tell if an affiliate program is legitimate?

Michael: I always buy product before joining affiliate program. If it’s a good product it’ll generally be a good affiliate program. Be cautious of any programs that focus more on selling than on product itself. Troubles lie ahead if you have to pay to be in a program but have no clue about product!

Terry: Know product before committing to a program. How should a newcomer determine what field to pursue in Internet marketing?

Michael: Research a potential niche market carefully. Go to website GoodKeywords.com and see how many people search your topic area. Select a niche area with high traffic.

Terry: Excellent recommendation! In your judgment, what are most effective things a newcomer should do to develop an affiliate strategy?

Michael: Pick a strong niche market and 3 good affiliate programs to promote. The individual affiliate needs to brand themselves (i.e., take on a unique identity) and not affiliate program.

Terry: Therefore, branding is critical! What key things would you recommend to a new Internet marketer to achieve financial success?

Michael: Concentrate on building a list! Learn from people who have already succeeded. There’s no shame in asking for help. Keep a cool head and have patience. Success won’t come overnight but it will happen. Don’t give up! You may be one failure away from success.

Terry: That is good positive encouragement for all marketers. Do you have any other comments you would like to add?

Michael: If you are a newbie, you have a long road ahead of you. However, destination is worth wait. Everything is a learning process. Remember main objective is to solve someone’s frustration. There was a person out there banging his keyboard in anger and trying to figure out autoresponders. My ebook solved his problem. Find a frustration and solve it! You’ll be on your way to riches!

Terry: Michael, thank you very much for your valued inputs.

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FREE 7-Day Ultimate Affiliate Marketing eCourse at http://www.QuikSystems.com/uam/FreeCourse.htm ----------------------------------------