5. Lines per ad Some publishers allow 5 lines, others 2, 3, or 4 lines. This may or may not include URL or email address. This does not mean you can send 6 or 8 or more lines and expect to see your ad! Personally, I like a 2 or 3 line ad best. It is much easier to read than a very long ad.

6. Unacceptable ads.

Most publishers don't accept ads dealing with hate, adult, racial or gambling content. Avoid these topics if you want to see your ad published. 7. Use proper Ad Code.

You will have to actually read issue to find ad codes! Yeah! You might actually enjoy it too! Some ad codes are found on a certain day every week, others are in every issue. Some you have to hunt to find, and others are with ad guidelines of that newsletter. But.... you must use correct code of week. If you use an outdated ad code, you will not see your ad. How do I know when to post my ad? How often can I send my ad?

When I submit an ad I write date I posted, and that week's ad code next to it. Also, I put date I can send my next ad. This will reduce your chance of accidentally submitting your free ad too soon and having it deleted. Even with all this I have been known to submit a duplicate ad. Then I have to send an email to apologize!

Follow these easy suggestions and you will see your free ads published. I am grateful that free ads are still available. They are a lot of work for these editors each week. Wouldn't it be a nice surprise for these editors if we all submitted ads that are correctly formatted, spelled and typed?

Mmmmmmm! Is that sound of cheering I hear? The publishers thank you!

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Article may be reprinted with resource box.

715 words 5/18/02

So what can you do to carve out your niche on web without expending huge amounts of time or money?

1. Focus your site on a tightly-defined subject area: don't try to be all things to all surfers (unless you run Yahoo!).

2. Use relevant keywords: you will not get more traffic by slipping words like 'sex' or 'money' into your keyword list unless rest of your site really does deal with these subjects.

3. Provide worthwhile content: give your visitors something to read that will grab their attention and make them want to buy - or at least call back.

4. Do some homework: read up on how to promote your site creatively using free and low-cost methods.

5. Take action: allocate some time every week to publicising your web presence.

6. Don't stop advertising in paper media: if it worked before, chances are it will go on working. Seeing your URL on paper helps people remember it and adds to your business credibility - and it may be only way they get to see your wonderful web site!

Much has been written about web site promotion, but how many site owners actually take time to do even basic search engine submissions, let alone any serious promotion? Unless you allocate some time to telling world about your site, what it does and why people should visit, you can be sure of one thing: they won't!

(((((((((((c)P J Chandler))))))))))))))

P J Chandler writes about online marketing and other topics. His web site, with excellent web site promotion, submission and marketing resources is at http://www.domainomania.com

(((((((((((c)P J Chandler))))))))))))))