Some free marketing methods and ways to boost business

[kmpisces]

I think we all have a pretty good idea of ways to market our businesses without spending a lot of money.

Optmizing our websites for search engines is important. Having quality incoming links is also important for page rank. We can add a link to us section on our websites to make it wasy for others to link to our site.

Something else I just came accross was to include a recommend it or refer a friend script to make it easy for satisfied customers to refer others.

Offering a free coupon or other incentive if people sign up or make a purchase today can also increase sales. Sometimes it's the "little things" that go a long way.

Another idea is to offer a free e-book to other businesses that are somehow related to your own business. In appreciation this business may promote you. For instance, you may offer services that will compliment those services or products they offer. They can send customers to you after they assist them. Therefore everyone is happy. The customer gets what they need and both businesses make sales and have satisfied customers.

Sometimes yoiu can find yourself some endorsements. For example speak with the editor of a very good e-zine. Find out if they would be willing to review your business or products in exchange for free products and services.

[Lene]

The problem with refer a friend scripts are they are easily abused, but if you have a site with members, you can use the registered information as the sender of the e-mail, so they can only use the script when they are logged into your site.

[kmpisces]

The problem with refer a friend scripts are they are easily abused, but if you have a site with members, you can use the registered information as the sender of the e-mail, so they can only use the script when they are logged into your site.

Really I didn't realize that because I have never used these scripts. I could see that happening though. Maybe I won't use one on my business site since I don't have a members area.

[D.Koenemann]

One of the best ways I have found to advertise is by using business cards that I make up myself on the computer. All you need is one of the business card creator software programs and your card stock.

You can also do this without the business card software. It is more professional looking if you use them though.

The idea is really simple to do. Here is an example of what I do.

I make up some cards with my link to the Newbie Club. I carry these cards with me where ever I go. I also have some for other products that I carry also.

As I go through my day, I listen to conversations of the people I am with or around. You would be surprised at what you can discover just by doing this.

Last week while at my job, one of the women I work with was talking about wanting to learn how to use the computer she had at home. She has had the computer there for her children to use, but she has no idea how to use it. She mentioned that it all seemed to complicated for her, she gets lost and confused by all the technical language. She said that it was something that she would like to learn so that she could interact more with her kids and have a better understanding of the technology that they seem to enjoy using.

I just happened to be there and what do you know I had a business card that had the answer to her needs. Here is what was on the card.

Do you have trouble understanding all of the technical language surrounding the use of a computer?

Your prayers have been answered! Just go to http://newbieclub.com/tutorials/?Start_Right
Free tutorials to help you learn in friendly easy to understand language!

My contact details are then listed on the card in case they have questions or need help to get to these tutorials.

This particular woman liked this so much she ended up buying one of the featured products, Understanding Windows XP, if I remember right.

End result was that she is getting the knowledge and skills she wanted and I earned a little commission. Win-Win for both of us. Also that same time I handed out 6 cards to others that were there. At last count this little exchange has earned me about $75.00. :) I started this with an offer of free help and it turned into income for me!:)

By making my own business cards I can keep my costs down and still advertise my products to a very targeted audience. This method has also gotten a lot of word of mouth advertising for me. When you can successfully help someone with a problem, they tell others about you and how you helped them.

You just need to have a quality product, keep your ears open and a business card handy! :)

D. Koenemann

[kmpisces]

I also make my own business cards on my home computer. If you take your time and use a creative design they do come out quite well. This is an excellent marketing method.