While search engines are a phenomenal way to drive traffic to your website, they are most certainly not only way. In order to ensure you are protected should Google (or whoever is next "big" search engine) change their formula yet again, you need to create a diversification plan.

Think of all outlets that reach your target audience. Investigate each one to see how feasible it would be to market your site through those channels. Then implement a plan that includes several advertising avenues (including search engines) that - as a whole - generates as much (or more) business as you originally received from Google. That way, should one of these channels go down, your business would only be slightly affected.

Don’t stop there! Twice a year you’ll want to go over your plan and be sure that everything is working, as it should. If one outlet begins to dwindle in its response, look into finding a replacement. This way you are never taken by surprise.

Once you have your diversification plan working for you, you will be in a much better position to be rest assured that business you receive will be there for long haul. You will also feel more comfortable that no one organization can cause tremendous damage Google has caused and could cause again.

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

Postcards are Cheap to Produce

Postcards cost less than 2 cents each to produce if you print them using your own computer. You can print postcards individually on blank 4 x 6 inch index cards or print 4 postcards on 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of index card stock and cut each sheet into quarters.

Your postcards will cost between 4 cents and 9 cents each to produce if you use a commercial printer ...depending on number you have printed and quality you want.

Postcards are Cheap to Mail

Even postage for mailing postcards is cheap - 23 cents each to send them by First Class Mail in US. The only requirement for this special rate is that dimensions of your postcards must be at least 3 1/2 x 5 inches but not over 4 1/4 x 6 inches.

Tip: Always use a real 23 cent stamp on your postcards. It produces more replies than a printed indicia (imprinted postage) ...probably because people associate a printed indicia with junk mail.

Don't overlook postcards next time you want to drive a huge amount of traffic to your website or generate a flood of new sales leads. They're simple to use, highly effective and very low-cost.

Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses like yours find new customers and increase sales. He just released a New Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business Fast With Simple Postcards ...and launched *BizTips from Bob*, a newsletter to help small businesses grow and prosper. You'll find his low-cost marketing methods at: http://BobLeduc.com or call: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV