As an internet marketer it is always a challenge to maintain a steady flow of targeted traffic to your websites. Many forms of online advertising are just too costly for the average marketer, especially for those just starting out on a tight budget. The good news is that marketing online doesn't have to cost you a fortune, in fact there are some methods that won't cost you a cent. In this article we'll look at a few ways to market online that are not only free but highly effective.
Article Marketing
This is how article marketing works, you write a short article about a subject and then attach a link to a landing page which contains your affiliate link for a product or service related to that article. You then submit your article to ezine or article directory services. When people read your article, click through and purchase through your link you will earn a commission through your affiliate plan. Some directories do not require you to have a landing page and allow you to link directly to your affiliate sales page if you wish. Be sure to read the article submission rules at each directory as standards vary from directory to directory.
If you are not a writer by nature you could hire someone else to write articles for you under your pen name. Using such 'ghost' writers is not as expensive as you might think. Just a quick search online and you will find writers available for most any subject. Of course writing your own articles from scratch is free and gives you the greatest control over content and quality.
When writing articles make sure your article is informative and helpful. Give the readers useful information or they won't bother clicking your links to see your products. The most foolish thing you can do is to make your article in to one big advert for your product. Also read the rules wherever you submit your articles and don't break them or your articles could be banned and your account closed.
Article marketing can be a great way to get exposure for your products and also build you personal credibility online. If you focus on a particular niche and your articles are useful and well written you can quickly become regarded as an expert and your articles sought out. Article writing can be very interesting too because you will learn about topics as you research for and prepare your articles. For those who enjoy writing it can actually be lots of fun and profitable too!
Blog and Video Marketing
Much like article marketing blog marketing is a great way to build a reputation and following online. Whether you use a written or video blog the key is to keep your information current, relevant and interesting. Readers seem to enjoy blogs most when the author is practical and 'down-to-earth' so be friendly and real. Don't try to impress everyone with a lot of technical jargon. Keep your blog postings fun and upbeat and stick to a theme or niche. Don't use foul language or make comments that could be hurtful or offensive. Also as in article marketing, don't turn your blog into a big advertisement but rather give your visitors quality information and they will trust you more when you recommend a product.
If you choose to post videos make sure the sound is of a decent quality and avoid cluttering the video with noise or loud background music. If people can't hear or understand what you are saying they will leave and probably never come back. And remember even though you might be the 'star' of your video your visitors are watching to get information about your subject rather than you so keep your content the focus of your videos.
Finally, be aware of the FTC rules for online reviews. If you do a review blog make sure you make it clear you are marketing the product you are reviewing and will earn a profit from purchases made through your links. Whatever you do, NEVER break the law! Visit the FTC website and be sure you understand the rules.
Signature Files and Forum Marketing
With virtually any email service or forum post you have the option of adding a signature file. This is the little area at the end of your email or forum post where you can plug in a little mini advert. Don't overlook this simple and free opportunity to promote your products or business. Here are a few tips....
Make sure the link you are promoting is clickable making it as easy as possible for your reader to go to your sales page. Keep your signature very brief, just one or two sentences. Use the curiosity approach to entice the reader to click to find out more. Avoid hype and don't use all capital or all bold letters. Finally, when posting in forums make sure your postings are worthwhile and relevant to the topic. Follow each forum's rules and never blatantly advertise in your posts unless you are specifically in a forum area where you are permitted to do so.
Here's a golden key for forum marketing: Seek out niche forums. You will get a much better response to a narrow subject than you with something broad. For instance if you were marketing an downloadable guide about housebreaking your dog, instead of posting in the general area of a dog training forum you would want to post under 'housebreaking'. The more relevant to the topic, the better.
Social Marketing
Online social networks have become a very popular way of spreading the word about ones business or products online. With them you can send short announcements of what is going on in your life, business or personal. However many social networks now are cracking down on blatant advertising so be careful of how you conduct yourself or you may find yourself banned. Here are some pointers...
Post comments and links that others will find interesting, entertaining or informative. Use the web link and bio area to promote yourself as a brand rather than a product or business opportunity. Always be pleasant and polite treating others with the respect you would like in return. It never hurts to niche yourself a bit. The more focused your subject the more likely your posts will be regarded as 'expert' and your posts valued.
Some social networks are specifically designed for business. There are also individual social networks for many niches online, just do a search and you will be sure to find some networks ideal for your products and business.
Just a warning, social networks can be addictive and very time consuming. It is very easy to fall into a bit of a time warp and lose hours while social networking without realizing it. It is also easy to be drawn off focus and lose sight of your purpose, which should be to develop online contacts that evolve into business relationships.
Nonetheless, social networking can be a powerful tool and can help you locate prospects, build rapport as well as help you establish yourself as a reliable source of information... or even a expert on a particular subject.
Just because a marketing method is free does not mean it has no value. In fact, many successful affiliate marketers are earning substantial incomes online every day by using just one of the techniques we've discussed above. Take the time to get familiar with one or two of those methods yourself and watch your sales grow.
Article Marketing
This is how article marketing works, you write a short article about a subject and then attach a link to a landing page which contains your affiliate link for a product or service related to that article. You then submit your article to ezine or article directory services. When people read your article, click through and purchase through your link you will earn a commission through your affiliate plan. Some directories do not require you to have a landing page and allow you to link directly to your affiliate sales page if you wish. Be sure to read the article submission rules at each directory as standards vary from directory to directory.
If you are not a writer by nature you could hire someone else to write articles for you under your pen name. Using such 'ghost' writers is not as expensive as you might think. Just a quick search online and you will find writers available for most any subject. Of course writing your own articles from scratch is free and gives you the greatest control over content and quality.
When writing articles make sure your article is informative and helpful. Give the readers useful information or they won't bother clicking your links to see your products. The most foolish thing you can do is to make your article in to one big advert for your product. Also read the rules wherever you submit your articles and don't break them or your articles could be banned and your account closed.
Article marketing can be a great way to get exposure for your products and also build you personal credibility online. If you focus on a particular niche and your articles are useful and well written you can quickly become regarded as an expert and your articles sought out. Article writing can be very interesting too because you will learn about topics as you research for and prepare your articles. For those who enjoy writing it can actually be lots of fun and profitable too!
Blog and Video Marketing
Much like article marketing blog marketing is a great way to build a reputation and following online. Whether you use a written or video blog the key is to keep your information current, relevant and interesting. Readers seem to enjoy blogs most when the author is practical and 'down-to-earth' so be friendly and real. Don't try to impress everyone with a lot of technical jargon. Keep your blog postings fun and upbeat and stick to a theme or niche. Don't use foul language or make comments that could be hurtful or offensive. Also as in article marketing, don't turn your blog into a big advertisement but rather give your visitors quality information and they will trust you more when you recommend a product.
If you choose to post videos make sure the sound is of a decent quality and avoid cluttering the video with noise or loud background music. If people can't hear or understand what you are saying they will leave and probably never come back. And remember even though you might be the 'star' of your video your visitors are watching to get information about your subject rather than you so keep your content the focus of your videos.
Finally, be aware of the FTC rules for online reviews. If you do a review blog make sure you make it clear you are marketing the product you are reviewing and will earn a profit from purchases made through your links. Whatever you do, NEVER break the law! Visit the FTC website and be sure you understand the rules.
Signature Files and Forum Marketing
With virtually any email service or forum post you have the option of adding a signature file. This is the little area at the end of your email or forum post where you can plug in a little mini advert. Don't overlook this simple and free opportunity to promote your products or business. Here are a few tips....
Make sure the link you are promoting is clickable making it as easy as possible for your reader to go to your sales page. Keep your signature very brief, just one or two sentences. Use the curiosity approach to entice the reader to click to find out more. Avoid hype and don't use all capital or all bold letters. Finally, when posting in forums make sure your postings are worthwhile and relevant to the topic. Follow each forum's rules and never blatantly advertise in your posts unless you are specifically in a forum area where you are permitted to do so.
Here's a golden key for forum marketing: Seek out niche forums. You will get a much better response to a narrow subject than you with something broad. For instance if you were marketing an downloadable guide about housebreaking your dog, instead of posting in the general area of a dog training forum you would want to post under 'housebreaking'. The more relevant to the topic, the better.
Social Marketing
Online social networks have become a very popular way of spreading the word about ones business or products online. With them you can send short announcements of what is going on in your life, business or personal. However many social networks now are cracking down on blatant advertising so be careful of how you conduct yourself or you may find yourself banned. Here are some pointers...
Post comments and links that others will find interesting, entertaining or informative. Use the web link and bio area to promote yourself as a brand rather than a product or business opportunity. Always be pleasant and polite treating others with the respect you would like in return. It never hurts to niche yourself a bit. The more focused your subject the more likely your posts will be regarded as 'expert' and your posts valued.
Some social networks are specifically designed for business. There are also individual social networks for many niches online, just do a search and you will be sure to find some networks ideal for your products and business.
Just a warning, social networks can be addictive and very time consuming. It is very easy to fall into a bit of a time warp and lose hours while social networking without realizing it. It is also easy to be drawn off focus and lose sight of your purpose, which should be to develop online contacts that evolve into business relationships.
Nonetheless, social networking can be a powerful tool and can help you locate prospects, build rapport as well as help you establish yourself as a reliable source of information... or even a expert on a particular subject.
Just because a marketing method is free does not mean it has no value. In fact, many successful affiliate marketers are earning substantial incomes online every day by using just one of the techniques we've discussed above. Take the time to get familiar with one or two of those methods yourself and watch your sales grow.
Ernie J. Geeting is an internet marketer and writer. He loves helping people to experience more success in their lives. You can see his blog and get a free course with insider secrets to no cost marketing techniques at http://earnonlineincomenow.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ernie_J._Geeting
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