Many of newbies that are being exposed to internet on a daily basis have dreams of running a website and making it successful. For some, this is a grueling task and leaves them short-winded trying to do so.

There are numerous marketing techniques that can be used to generate traffic on a regular basis. Out of all of them I have tried, writing seems to work best.

Writing articles for ezines, newsletters, websites and forums in addition to using other marketing strategies helps in keeping your website visible.

The internet has turned out to be a publisher's paradise. Never before has chance to publish your ideas and insights been this easy. In some cases all it costs is some of your time.

Over past couple of years, I have spoken with many of you and I have found out that too many have suffered financial losses from companies that do not provide services they charged they for. The companies I am referring to are:

- List and lead providers - Email marketing companies - Search Engine Optimization

DEFINITION:

LIST COMPILER:

An individual or company that specializes in gathering names, addresses and information from a variety of sources to produce a customized list of prospective customers. Sources can include directories, newspapers, public records, trade show registrations, etc.

LIST BROKER:

A company that resells mailing, telemarketing lists and e-mail addresses from list compilers. They usually get 20% off from retail pricing.

MAILING LISTS:

Have you ever purchased lists from list provider companies and BEEN disappointed TO have been given bad OR OLD data?

FACTS: Serious companies will guarantee their mailing lists to be at least 90% deliverable. This can be done by updating their lists monthly using NCOA (National Change of Address). HOWEVER, telemarketing lists are usually never guaranteed since phone numbers are self reported. If you buy a telemarketing list, you may get up to 25 to 30% wrong or disconnected phone numbers.

HOW COULD YOU END UP GETTING INCORRECT LISTS?

SUPPOSE you order a list from a list broker who has already bought data a few months ago for a previous client he could be reselling that list again to you. If list broker does not have to buy an updated list from a compiler and can resell you that list multiple times he can make more profit selling you a list that has not been updated. After a few months many things change. People move, get married, die; homeowners may have refinanced their homes; businesses may have moved or closed.

Those list brokers do not think long term but short term profit.

DEFINITION:

LEAD GENERATION:

Proceeding in two steps; involves an offer where viewer is asked to call a toll-free number for more information on a product or service. An inbound sales rep captures name, address, and phone number of potential customer. Free information is sent in form of letters, brochures, videotapes and/or product samples This process can also be done via online advertising where a consumer can fill out an online application requesting a quote for a particular product or service. The third way could involve a telemarketing campaign where telemarketers contact consumers or businesses to offer them a product or service. There are many lead generation companies who supply mortgage leads, Business opportunity, insurance, debt , home improvement , auto warranty leads, travel, payday loan leads etc...

HOW COULD YOU END UP GETTING BAD LEADS? PROBLEM 1: The biggest problem I’ve observed so far is fact that Internet leads are sold TOO MANY TIMES. Most of time lead brokers are too greedy and resell leads 2, 3, 5 or even 10 times. When you call leads they are very upset because they have received too many calls. There is a HUGE PROFIT being made by lead brokers when they resell leads many times.

PROBLEM 2: If leads are generated via unsolicited email you will get people who fill out application but put bogus information since they do not like to get SPAM email. You obviously waste a lot of time chasing those bogus leads.

PROBLEM 3: Some companies will sell you what they call leads but in fact they are not leads. They may use email co-registration from partner sites to generate leads that they will sell you. See sample of opt in & opt out email co-registration at: http://contests.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.surveynetworks.com/survey.cfm%3Fref=8960%26AID=10285983%26PID=307536

They use a form to collect online visitor’s information and at bottom of form they have some offers with boxes already checked. The online visitors who do not pay attention will then be receiving information on products/services from companies like yours but in fact they have no interest AT ALL.

CO REGISTRATION: OPT OUT is when box is already checked. Visitor must actually un-check a box not to be subscribed or receive offer. This is in fact a deceptive practice. CO REGISTRATION: OPT IN offers where visitors need to check a box to receive an offer.

DEFINITION

Co-registration is a tool allowing marketers to acquire permission-based information from a consumer during registration process on web sites. See sample: http://www.newslettersforfree.com/

BEWARE INCENTIVES: Some services will offer their visitors incentives such as free "points", enter to win FREE DVD player or even real cash to encourage them to sign up for offers. This is in fact a deceptive practice to generate QUALIFIED leads.

BANNER/POP ADVERTISING/EMAIL MARKETING:

Some of you may be skeptical using a company that is supposed to deliver banner, pop up advertising or email marketing. After all, how can you verify if they will deliver? If they send email, they should have a tracking system that will show you what has been delivered.

In regards to online advertising, mailing lists and lead generation I believe business owners should be more concerned with quality than price. There is always cheaper out there but you should find out what you are getting for your money. I am always surprised to hear people calling me and tell me “Oh I found cheaper”. Sometimes I even here people saying “How come you are so expensive” But strangely I never people say “How come you are so cheap? What’s wrong with your product or service?” Well I think that if a company offers you something at a very low price you should find out reason. Why is it so cheap? There is always a reason why things are cheap. Is it because it is your lucky day or did you just find a great deal? If something is more expensive find out reason instead of thinking that someone is trying to rip you off. I would have a tendency to think that if something is cheap there may be something wrong.

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION:

DEFINITION:

The process of choosing targeted keyword phrases related to a site, and ensuring that site places well when those keyword phrases are part of a Web search.

It is an interesting service I do want to talk about.