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Web Promotions for Newbies

By Regina Garson

Organize your Tools:
Begin by making a promotional cut and paste file. Spend time writing copy and collecting resources. Put the following items in an easily accessible file. For accuracy, open this file, to cut and paste when you do site submissions. An incorrect URL can take longer to get changed, than submitting a new one. Plan to get it right the first time. You will need to include:

Get Listed:
There are two choices. Do it yourself, or hire a submission service. Most established webmasters agree this job is better done yourself. Making sure submission guidelines are followed, greatly enhances your chances of being listed. However, if you are new to the web, a submission service may be worth the "initial" boost it gives your site. Ask for recommendations, or referrals from satisfied customers. Otherwise, start your online publicity efforts by registering with these places:

Build and Use your Mailing List:
Build your mailing list from guestbook entries, comments and inquiries. Invite visitors to join the list. Newsletters are a good way to stay in touch. In every issue, give readers the option to be removed from your list. Remember, occasional mail can be fun, too much is annoying.

Signatures:
Most email packages allow up to six lines of copy for a signature line. Include URLs, a short description, phone number and address, if relevant. Whatever your online activities, this is an excellent source of advertising. Let your contacts know what you do.

Advertise:
Even small web sites, can advertise online. There are several excellent banner exchange programs. Your ad banner is shown on member sites, in exchange for displaying their banners on your site. Link Exchange is the most popular, and has a large membership. If there are only a few member sites, the exchange may be more work than it is worth. The good ones have rating categories as to site content. Find out who you will be trading with. Is the group compatible with your online image? Shop carefully. Advertising is a valuable online commodity, you should expect a fair return whether you swap or buy.

Be Part of the Community:
Even though virtual, the Internet is very much a community. Visit your neighbors. Sign their guestbooks. Be involved. There are online forums, email groups, usenets, and chat rooms. Participate knowledgeably in your field. It is bad netiquette, to simply post a sales message. Instead, contribute to discussions, and include a signature line which directs readers to your message site.

There are also numerous opportunities to hone your skills and have fun with web competitions. Traffic wars can bring visitors and excitement for entertainment pages. Get involved. Be aware of what is happening in your field on the net. Look at who is sponsoring the activities. If your site is on Football Recruiting, it is probably not worth your time to participate with a Basket Weavers Group. However, if you sell baskets, this may be an excellent opportunity.

Integrate your Real World and Online Resources:
Include your URL and email address on business cards, stationary, brochures and any other print resources you use. Remember to include online news in your press releases and organization announcements. Refer your online visitors to your real world services, and your real world customers to your online resources.

It takes time, effort and persistence to build online traffic. Establishing a reputation on the web takes as much effort as it does in the physical world. Those who work and put forth the effort will be the ones who make their places in this new frontier.


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Regina Garson is a writer, editor and web developer/consultant. She writes for and about the Internet, online and in print. Editor and publisher of Magic Stream, she has won numerous awards for her web publications. Enjoying advertising, sweepstakes and online promotions; she also maintains Gina's Sweeps and Contest Page.


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