| y"> | | | | Mailchimp. These online programs send professional |
| The internet is everyone's "go to" source for | | | | looking newsletters and also provide statistics of your |
| information, so your marketing campaign must include | | | | readership. Most offer a free trial. |
| an online strategy. If you're currently incorporating | | | | #6 ONLINE FORUMS |
| any of these tips, congratulations! You are already a | | | | An online forum is a great way to communicate and |
| step ahead! How about incorporating one more new | | | | share online. Consider participating in just one. You |
| strategy per week or per month to increase your | | | | can do this in your business field, hobby, or any area |
| online visibility? Just taking a few small steps can | | | | of interest. |
| make a big difference in promoting you! | | | | Be sure to share great information that everyone will |
| #1 WEBSITE: | | | | read. Proper etiquette limits shameless promoting, but |
| To promote you or your business online you need to | | | | if a reader wants to connect with you for more |
| have a website. There are so many inexpensive (and | | | | information, be sure to include your email signature at |
| even free!) options available now that everyone can | | | | the end of your postings (#2 above). |
| have one. | | | | Popular sources of online forums are:o CraigsListo |
| What you need to do:o Get a domain name. Getting | | | | Google Groupso Yahoo Groups |
| a domain name is your piece of internet real estate. | | | | There are an unlimited number of online forums. Just |
| I've even set up my name as a domain name.o You | | | | search online for your area of interest and the word |
| can purchase a domain name for about $10 (annual | | | | "forum." For example, "equestrian forum" or "knitting |
| registration). Hosting can be free (with | | | | forum." If you don't find exactly what you are |
| advertisements) or as little as $4 a month. My | | | | looking for, you can even start your own group! |
| favorite website hosting provider is GoDaddy. Other | | | | #7 DIRECTORIES |
| popular providers are 1and1 Internet and Homestead. | | | | Submit your website to an online directory. A |
| Be sure to put your website address on all of your | | | | directory is an online categorized list of businesses |
| promotional materials, letterhead, labels, business | | | | and services.o Google Directoryo Yahoo Directoryo |
| cards, and email signature, etc. Just because you build | | | | Back Page |
| it, doesn't mean they will come, you need to let | | | | Caution! be aware of directories who promise tons of |
| everyone know. | | | | traffic/links to your website. If an incoming link to |
| #2 EMAIL SIGNATURE | | | | your website comes from a site that has been |
| Sign every outgoing email message with a | | | | black-listed it will count negatively to your search |
| customized signature. It's like having a digital business | | | | rankings. Only submit to reputable directories. |
| card. The signature can be up to 5 lines of text, it | | | | #8 GOOGLE PROFILE |
| must include your contact information, web site | | | | Google indicates that 25% of searches are for |
| address and tagline (what you do). Most email | | | | people. If you've ever used Google to search your |
| programs today will allow you to create a signature | | | | own name or to find a person, a Google Profile |
| that will automatically post with every email you send. | | | | makes the process much easier. Google displays |
| You can also have several different email signatures | | | | profiles at the bottom of search results on the first |
| to use for all of the things you do. Check the "help" | | | | page If you have something to sell or promote, a |
| function of your email program, or just search Google | | | | Google Profile is a must. |
| for "email signature" and your program name for | | | | Why You Need a Profile:o It instantly optimizes your |
| detailed instructions how to set it up.o A text email | | | | name online.o It's totally free.o You show up on the |
| signature can be as simple as your name, tagline and | | | | first page of Google. |
| contact information. For example, Michelle Brubaker | | | | A Google Profile is a page hosted on Google which is |
| Create a profitable internet presence Internet | | | | tied to your name. Content on your profile page is |
| Marketing | Web Design | Videography with my phone | | | | defined by you. Information includes sections for |
| number and wesite address.o An HTML email | | | | "about", images, text, cross links to your websites |
| signature includes images that are hosted. You can | | | | and more. |
| use a free online service to create an email signature, | | | | Set up your Google Profile at |
| or have your web designer or a graphic artist create | | | | #9 SOCIAL MEDIA |
| one for you. | | | | There is a lot of buzz these days about social media. |
| #3 LINKS | | | | The most popular sites being Facebook, Twitter, and |
| Links are the doorway to your publicity. The more | | | | LinkedIn. Since everyone participates these days, |
| relevant links pointing to you online the easier it is for | | | | why not make sure your online profile includes a link |
| people to find you. Links also add relevance and | | | | to your website. |
| increase your rankings with Google.o Incoming Links: | | | | With Facebook & LinkedIn you can write |
| are links that when clicked on take the viewer to | | | | "notes" and "articles" (#4 above). Sharing relevant |
| your website. Google counts incoming links from | | | | information with your fans, friends, and connections |
| relevant sources the highest when ranking your site | | | | will create discussions and can establish you as an |
| online.o Outgoing Links: are links on your own website | | | | expert, again always add your signature at the |
| that when clicked take the viewer to another page | | | | bottom so viewers can connect with you for further |
| (yours or someone else's) online. Relevant outgoing | | | | information. I've known people who have written |
| links may point viewers to further information.o | | | | hundreds and even a thousand articles for social |
| Reciprocal Links: are links going both to and from | | | | media and get a flood of leads and traffic daily as a |
| your website. Google counts reciprocal links, but don't | | | | result. |
| try to fool the system. Google knows when you are | | | | YouTube is another great source of media. With the |
| just swapping links for the sake of linking so apply | | | | price of video cameras now under $200, just about |
| them sparingly. | | | | anyone can make a video. Computers now come |
| Use links to your website when you are posting in | | | | with basic editing software such as Windows Movie |
| online blogs, forums, and social media sites. Also be | | | | Maker where you can add text, slides and music. It's |
| sure to set up links to all of the places you are online | | | | a popular resource for you to share your expertise |
| in your Google Profile (#8 below). Important! You | | | | and visually promote what you do. |
| need to use the http:// in front of the www for the | | | | #10 BLOGS |
| link to work. | | | | Blogging has taken the internet by storm! You don't |
| #4 ARTICLES | | | | even have to have your own blog to get in on the |
| Write an article (like this one) to share your expertise | | | | action. Find a blog on a subject you have knowledge. |
| online. There are lots of online media publishing sites | | | | This can be your business, a hobby or just something |
| where you can post articles for free. | | | | you are good at. When the writer creates a new |
| Always put a link back to your web site so readers | | | | blog posting, make a comment - share your |
| will know where to find more information! | | | | knowledge, complement what was written. Just be a |
| Here are some popular media publishing sites:o | | | | part of the ongoing discussion. It's ok to sign your |
| Squidooo Hub Pageso Tumblro Scribdo Issuuo | | | | name at the bottom (just be aware of shameless |
| EzineArticles | | | | promoting). |
| #5 PUBLISH AN EMAIL NEWSLETTER | | | | To find blogs, just search online for your area of |
| Create an informative email newsletter to send to | | | | interest and the word "blog." For example, "home |
| your clientele. Include great content with pertinent | | | | organizing blog" or "business management blog." If |
| information they would want to read. It can be as | | | | you don't see exactly what you are looking for, why |
| simple as sharing the latest news, updates and | | | | not create your own blog. |
| technologies relevant to their industry. | | | | Popular blogging (free) providers are:o Bloggero |
| Proper etiquette is weekly or bi-monthly otherwise | | | | WordPress.como WordPress.org (takes a little tech |
| readers will just check out from information overload. | | | | savvy)o Typepad |
| Never send spam and always allow recipients to | | | | Now you have 10 Easy Ways to Promote "Brand |
| chose opting in, or opting out of your newsletter. As | | | | You" Online." |
| your readership increases you may consider an email | | | | Choose an idea and get started today! |
| news service such as; Constant Contact, Aweber, or | | | | |