by Valerian Dinca

1. Publish your own newsletter.
Starting your own free newsletter is a great way to target the market, earn customers and stay in touch with them. At the same time by running an ezine you may build an image for you and for your business and to earn poeple's respect.

2. Participate actively on Message boards and Discussion lists.
Before subscribing check if they have an item close related to your business. This way you may be sure you're in touch with people interested in what you sell. By actively participating on Messages boards and Discussion list you can earn an expert status. On the other hand, you will be allowed to post either a full SIG (your signature) file or, at a minimum, your name and URL (your website address).

3.Drive traffic to your website.
There are several ways to send visitors to your business site

get listed in search engines and directories
request a link from sites complementary to yours
write articles that include your URL in the resource box
start an affiliate program
use paid and free online advertising
sign online guestbooks where appropriate

4. Barter and Partner
You can gain some free publicity by trading your services or products in exchange for ad space. If you have started your own newsletter you can exchange ads with another editors. For partnering there are countless possibilities online. First of all take care to get in touch with someone who runs a site or an ezine on something of interest to your target market. Pay a special attention to those acting in a complementary field. (a site that sells airplane tickets might partner with a company offering vacations).

5. Communicate
Let your associates, customers, vendors, family know what is new in your business and in your mind. Your words must be covered by actions if you want to create trust.

6. Separate your life from your business.
Remember that your business is the way to achieving the goals in your life; but it is not your life.

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© Copyright 2004
Valerian Dinca has been around long enough to know what works and what doesn't. Visit http://www.valerianplanet.com a site devoted to providing news and information of interest to online marketers.

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