Free Website Content - Undervalued Marketing Opportunities
Marketing online has become fiercely competitive.
Marketers are attempting to unravel and decipher online
marketing to succeed. Some argue that there should not be
a distinction between traditional (off-line) marketing and
online marketing. Others feel that concepts applied to mail
order work well on the web, while still others argue that
online marketing is a breed of its own and what works in
one arena may not work in another. While some standard practices
like "above" the fold, hold true in both print
and online copy, it is rare that you see the printed type
face on the web the same as in printed advertisements.
Regardless there are traditional forms of advertising that
are viable and make sense to use on the web but many marketers
do not.
These undervalued marketing opportunities are not the end-all
be-all but are great supplemental channels, that compliment
strong online marketing campaigns.
Buyers Guides
Many print magazines offer free listings in buyers
guides. Buyers guides typically have a long shelf life and
are viewed as a product resource, meaning it is one of the
first places consumers look when wanting to purchase an
item. Often magazines will include product reviews or sponsored
placement in a buyers guide. Typically the standard listing
is free, but optionally vendors can increase their exposure
by adding listings in additional categories for a nominal
fee. Regardless the free listings are a great value and
worth pursuing.
Product Reviews
The impartial overview from a credible source can
spark product interest. A third party independent review
of your product or service is seen as a vote of confidence.
Invite publishers or even bloggers to review your product
or service.
When requesting a review, it is proper net etiquette to
always provide the reviewer an evaluation product free of
charge. After the review, be sure to thank the reviewer
and if appropriate, link to the completed review.
Forums/Volunteering in Communities
Offering your time and expertise will establish
expertise and knowledge in a specific industry. Participants
who participate in forums have a genuine interest and are
a great target audience. Posting helpful information rather
than blatant product advertisements will enhance an image.
Article Syndication
Writing quality informative and educational articles will
also establish expertise. Articles also educate users about
related product or service. Generally educated users require
less technical help and are an easier sale because they
understand how the people or service will help them.
RSS Feeds
Provide content in an RSS feed. While RSS is becoming
very popular there are still a number of industries and
sectors where very little content is available via RSS feeds.
Placing quality content in an RSS feed and being "early
to market" will help your company shine.
When small businesses compete with big businesses there
are a number of areas in which they can compete effectively.
As more businesses turn to the web as an advertising model,
it is important that marketers and businesses define themselves
by giving themselves every opportunity to be found. Utilizing
undervalued marketing opportunities will separate online
successes from failures.
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 NotePage
http://www.notepage.net
a wireless text messaging software company.
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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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