5 Free Online Marketing Strategies for Newbies that WORK
Tired of the fluff about how to grow your business fast when all the things you hear cost too much, or require that you already have a customer base?
Here are some strategies that you can use, that are free, and that actually work.
Link Trades – One way links (that come into your site, but which you do not have a link back to the other site for) are undoubtedly more powerful than traded links, but even a trade can help your site if it is a relevant link – it has to do with the content of the site it is listed on. So go get link trades when you can. Do not participate in automated link exchange programs, or traffic exchange programs. They are not the same thing, and they will either waste your time, fill your inbox with spam, or get you banned from the search engines.
Directory Links – Directories are NOT the same thing as Free For All Link sites, or Free Classifieds. Directories are sites that index other websites based on category. Many niche directories exist also, for just about any topic you can think of. Look for good ones, and then look for a way to suggest a site, or submit a site. Directory links are generally considered good quality links.
Search Engine Registration – Of course you want to do this. Read up on the simple things you can do to optimize your site – don't be rabid about it, just do the simpler things. And then go to SelfPromotion.com, and use his tools to submit your site to the search engines – it is the best site to do it right.
Article Marketing – Write articles about subjects that are related to your site content. Put a signature line at the bottom that gives a brief description of who you are and what you do – qualifications are good here – and your site URL. Articles need not be long, just make sure they are actually useful, and more than just a glorified ad for your product. Give people something they will value, and you'll get valuable traffic from it. Submit the articles to article directories around the web. There are a ton of them. Follow the rules for each site though, or you'll be wasting your time.
Blogs – Blogs get indexed fast, and they get checked regularly by the search engines if you update them regularly. Link your main site into your blog, and go to work. Don't bother if you cannot keep one updated with useful and regular content though. They only work as a marketing tactic if you are willing to put the effort into doing a good and reliable job with them.
There is no substitute for hard work. Any free tactics take a lot of work to implement, but the ones above WILL bring you traffic. A little from each one, and each one will grow as you keep working on it.
Written by Laura Wheeler
Owner of Skinny Shoestring http://www.skinnyshoestring.com/ – Laura writes instructional materials, produces infosites, and builds affordable websites for her business startup clients. Her varied experience allows her to give exceptional service, and to produce instructions on a surprising range of topics. Laura is a busy mom of eight, homeschooler, and home business owner.
This article may be reprinted if it is unaltered, and if the signature line is included with the article.