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Give 'em the 'ol 1 - 2: Knock Out Promotion for Your Business
By Tiffany Davis
It’s the “P” word again – Promotion; possibly the most important key to a successful business.
Promotion defined:
The act of promoting or the fact of being promoted; advancement.
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Encouragement of the progress, growth, or acceptance of something; furtherance.
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Advertising; publicity.
Ok so now that we’ve defined it how do we do it without spending our child’s college fund or taking out a 2nd on the house?
Here are Mommy Mission’s Power Punches to Promotion:
Message Boards
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Message Boards can be an extremely good way to network. But not all message boards are created equal and not everything you post will be read.
Find message boards where people are discussing topics of interest to you. You will be more motivated to post if it is a subject you are interested or knowledgeable in. Be sure when you post you aren’t just talking about your business. In fact you don’t need to be posting about your business at all; let your signature line do the work!
I can’t say more emphatically that posting only in “free classifieds” boards will not grow your business. Message boards are about cultivating friendships, trust and common interest. Once you have done this people will come to you…
Link Exchange
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I’ll promote your site if you promote mine! J Anyone with a website, whether business related or not, wants hits! Many websites will promote a link exchange program but others may not. If you visit a website often don’t hesitate to contact the webmaster (look in contact information) about a link exchange. Be sure to state your requirements for placement, graphics, text, etc and find out what theirs are.
I recommend creating a page dedicated to your exchange program.
Ad Swapping
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Do you have a newsletter or do you subscribe to some? Contact the publishers about swapping ads in each other’s ezines or newsletters. If you don’t have a newsletter of your own (see #4) ask if they would consider an ad on your website.
Create A Newsletter
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A newsletter with interesting articles and links related to your business is a fabulous way to market your site and keep them coming back. Be sure to have a link on your website about joining your ezine. Offer free classifieds or other promotions to get your subscriber base up.
Create a customer newsletter with up to the minute product updates, coupons, specials, etc.
I would recommend 2 sites for starting your newsletter: http://www.yahoogroups.com/
http://www.topica.com/
Write Articles
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I hear you already…”but I don’t know how to write an article!”. I said it myself. But I guarantee you the article is in you…many articles are in you. Write what you know. If you sell health products write about health, the latest advances in your health products, etc. If your business is gift baskets write about gift giving, etc. Always include a byline at the end of your article with a link to your site.
Mine says:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tiffany Davis is a veteran work at home and homeschooling mom.
As webmaster of Mommy Mission she is helping moms in the pursuit and promotion of real work from home.
See www.mommymission.com <http://www.mommymission.com/ today! Or contact her at tiffany@mommymission.com
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Terri Seymour has a terrific site filled with encouragement and articles on writing. See http://www.myownezine.com .
After your articles are written submit, submit, submit!!! Check sites that you visit, do they accept articles? Include your articles in free content lists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Free-Content/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/I_Need_Content/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aahome/
Discussion Lists
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The message board that comes to your inbox! Similar to message boards in building relationships, trust and reputation, discussion lists are a fabulous way to promote your business. Remember when joining a list to follow the rules established by the list owner and don’t spam about your business unless this is the purpose of the list. Courtesy is a must! Again check out http://www.yahoogroups.com/ and http://www.topica.com/ for lists.
Be sure to always include your signature line. Make it appealing and many will click after reading your post.
Online Networking
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We have gone over message boards, newsletters and discussion lists. Another tremendous online networking tool is now available – Ryze Business Networking! At Ryze you can create your personal page for networking (free), make business contacts, cultivate new friendships or re-connect with friends from the past.
Networking will make or break your business. Remember the manners mom taught you!
Check Ryze out for more information: http://www.ryze.com .
Targeted Banner Ad
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The key to any successful ad campaign is knowing your target audience. If you are in the business of selling children’s crafts you don’t want to advertise on a website for Porsche enthusiasts. This is not the demographic you are shooting to.
I would look for a site that lines up with your product or service. If you are selling vitamins or health related products look for a site that promotes natural health and healing or a related product such a weight loss, exercise, etc. If you are promoting books or toys for kids go where the mommies are!
You don’t necessarily want the main page! Honestly think about where banners have gotten your attention. If it got your attention than more than likely it has the attention of others.
If not a banner consider a smaller graphic that runs along the side of pages. This ad may be less expensive and more eye catching.
Don’t over do it! Pick one or two sites for a trial run; see how they do for your site. If you like the results renew, if not keep looking.
Press Releases
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We have looked at many ways to promote on the internet. But let’s not overlook an extremely effective offline tool – The Press Release.
I know the idea may seem intimidating, even overwhelming at first; you can do it!
A press release is your site or business’s announcement to newspapers, magazines, and even local news stations. If they find your site exciting, unique or worthy of coverage you they may include an article or announcement about it.
Not sure where to begin? See http://www.press-release-writing.com/ for further tips.
If you still feel unsure about going it on your own there are many services that will write one for you:
The Dabbling Mum - http://www.thedabblingmum.com/ae_hireawriter.htm
The WAHM Copywriter - http://www.wahmcopywriter.com/
Promote your business!!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tiffany Davis is a veteran work at home mom. As webmaster of Mommy Mission she is helping moms in the pursuit and promotion of real work from home. See www.mommymission.com http://www.mommymission.com/ today! Or contact her at tiffany@mommymission.com
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