Free Website Content - Free Web Marketing Tips
Webmaster Tips
By S. Housley
Not all web marketing needs to cost money. Aside from website
submissions, there are a number of things that web marketers
can do that are free, though they may be rather time-consuming.
Other marketing tactics are relatively inexpensive, and
are often well worth the investment.
Follow these basic steps to market your website
and business.
1. Sign It
Include your website URL as part of your "signature" in
any online forum and newsgroup posts. It is not uncommon
for someone who appreciates the comments to click through
to the websites found in the signatures of forum posts.
This will not only increase link popularity, but will help
establish your industry knowledge. It goes without saying
that URLs should also be included in email signatures.
2. Utilize Social Bookmarking
There are a number of social bookmarking websites, where
the collective users select the materials that they determine
to be popular. If you have created resources that are worthy,
be sure to bookmark them in the social bookmarking networks.
List of
Social Bookmarking Websites - http://www.feedforall.com/social-bookmarking-icons.htm
3. Niche Networking
Network with key players in niche markets. Schmoozing with
authorities in niche markets can often pay big dividends.
Learn the "Who's Who" in any given niche market.
4. Donations
Goodwill goes a long way. Donate a percentage of sales to
a non-profit organization or charity. If revenue is an issue,
consider donating products or services to fund-raising auctions
or other fund-raising efforts. Donations will often reach
an audience outside the parameters of your normal market,
and will show that you care... and aside from all that,
your donations will actually benefit the organization or
charity.
5. Answers / Askville
Use Yahoo Answers and Amazon's Askville to answer questions.
The more answers that are endorsed, the more your advice
will be valued. Provide genuine, honest answers and build
your reputation. It appears that many "top" answers appear
high in Yahoo search results, and Yahoo Answers captures
a lot of long-tail traffic.
Yahoo Answers - http://answers.yahoo.com
Amazon Askville - http://www.askville.com
6. SEO
Spend the time it takes to properly optimize your website
for the search engines. This is not an area to cut corners
or skimp on. Proper search engine optimization, while an
ongoing process and very time-consuming, can pay big dividends
and will often result in long-term search engine traffic.
7. Classifieds
There are a number of free classified listing services.
Add your products or services to any free classified listings
that might be relevant.
8. Recommend It
Add a "Recommend To A Friend" script to the product pages
on your website. Nothing beats a referral from a friend.
Leverage viral marketing by providing your website visitors
with the tools to easily spread the word for you.
9. Blog / RSS / Podcasting
Generate your own publicity using a blog, RSS feed,
podcast, or video cast. Use these alternate communication
channels to expand your audience. 10. Related Content Site
Develop a content website that contains related information
and materials. Content sites are often defined as "authority"
websites. Authority websites are often quick to garner search
engine favor and top ranking for relevant search terms.
11. Wiki
Update wiki listings with useful and helpful content. Good
wiki editing will reinforce your reputation and help educate
your audience.
12. Forum Participation
Actively participating in related forums will generate goodwill
and increase your brand reputation. And be sure to add a
company tagline and website link to the signature of your
forum posts.
Marketing efforts need not break the bank
for a fledgling company or struggling small business. Use
the tools available, and build your business through smart
marketing.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and
podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll
http://www.recordforall.com
audio recording and editing software.
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This article may be used freely in opt-in
publications and websites, provided that the resource box
is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of
the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly
appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net
.
Additional articles available for publication available
at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm
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