She uses a popular ISP, but doesn't use that address in her ads. She feels, and I agree, that an ISP e-mail address does not

conjure up a strong "business image". Your choice of an ISP is important if you hope to do business on web. Be sure yours provides an industry standard POP3 e-mail capability. While AOL is great for many things, it does use their own proprietary e- mail system, and isn't, in my judgment, best choice for running a business.

She got a POP3 e-mail address with each of her web sites, so she uses those. She also uses a different e-mail address on her web sites - most web space providers give you unlimited e-mail aliases. She then installed Eudora e-mail package with a different folder for each address she uses. When she gets an e-mail, which was sent to one of those addresses, she has Eudora automatically file it in appropriate folder, and send an immediate response. This lets her prospect know she got message, but more importantly, allows her to track which ad it came from. If e-mail address was one of addresses in her ads, she knows which one. If it came from one of web sites, she knows which ad sent prospect to that site.

But what has happened here? A quick count of e-mails in each of folders reveals which ad is pulling, and where prospect is coming from. Now, remember unlimited aliases, she got with her web space. If she is going to try to test effectiveness of several publications, she simply uses a different alias for that ad in each publication, and sets up a separate folder in Eudora for it.

There are other ways of course to track ads by forcing subject in your e-mail address, and having a different subject for each ad. The cost of web space however, and e-mail addresses has come down so much in last few years, that having separate e-mail addresses is most likely easiest way to track results of your ads, and present a professional image.

You must test, test, and retest your ads. If you do, you will find winning combination, and realize power of web.

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Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine "Tip of Day" get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips - Monday thru Friday. Instructions on how to place your ad are in Newsletter. Subscribe at: http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm

Many times you will receive comments or suggestions. Some may be positive and others could be negative. You should take time to personally respond to these. Thank people for positive comments. If it is negative try to address issue, but don't get defensive. If someone has a gripe, and takes time to write you, take them seriously. Maybe they are simply chronic complainers, but maybe their opinion has substance. Evaluate every comment you get, and surprisingly, you just might find a flaw in your approach that you never thought of, but someone else did.

Tread carefully when someone requests a joint venture. Many times these are thinly veiled pyramids. If you sell advertising in your publication or on your website, why would someone be willing to give you a healthy percentage of their profit, in return for your running an ad for them. Personally, I get offers like this all time, addressed to "Dear Webmaster" and you know where they wind up.

Once in awhile however, someone will have a legitimate offer, and be willing to trade off a percentage of their profit for your advertising efforts. But if you do this, remember that you are putting your reputation on line as well. Affiliate programs do this all time.

In cold world of Internet, if you expect to do business, you must use a personal approach. Most people have same reaction to some of automated procedures in use that I do, and really appreciate contact with a live human being. If you do offer this type of personal service, you will have a real advantage over your competitors, who believe that you can simply automate process, and watch money flow in.

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Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine "Tip of Day" get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips - Monday thru Friday. Instructions on how to place your ad are in Newsletter. Subscribe at: http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm