How to market your home-based business online!

Posted by S. Colon

September 5, 2008

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Everyone knows that an online presence requires promotion tirelessly. Marketing and advertising also play a gigantic role. What are ways to market your home-based business online without breaking the bank so to speak? Thankfully, there are several very effective on-line marking methods that are relatively easy and quick. Below, I’ve listed a few:

* Free classifieds
- Free classified ads are everywhere. However, they also take hours each day to place. Pick a day during the week to only concentrate on this method. Check with your local newspaper for further information.

* Promote Off-Line
- You should include your URL in all your printed and broadcasting materials. Make sure to list your URL above the fold of any printed material. Let is stand out. Tell the reader or listener why they should check out your online presence. Add a benefit to finding your page. Provide them with helpful information or a discount that they can’t find out about any other way by only visiting your site. Mention your URL on your telephone hold message.

* Write Articles
- Write articles for other online-publications. Use what you know about your business to be the expert in your field that many people are looking for. There are thousands of potential customers online interested in learning more. Write as providing instructions, how to do something, tips, etc. If you’re not comfortable writing, visit elance.com or guru.com and find a capable writer to “ghost” write it for you.

* Build an Email List of Your Customers
- Customers who have bought from your business have shown an interest in your products/services. Many of these buyers provide their email addresses. Get their permission and send them your company’s newsletter that provide helpful tips and information on your latest products/services. Gather these emails and create a list. Make your newsletter’s tone conversational, friendly and informal.

- Electronic mail is the number one marketing tool on the Internet. It is cheap, conserves natural resources and most importantly doesn’t pollute the environment. There is nothing like its ability to stay in contact with your customer base. Place your email list sign-up form on your homepage and other appropriate pages of your site. Whatever you do, don’t hide it! Make it easy for site visitors to find and join your email list. Place a “join our mailing list” link in the email signature of your regular correspondence. The link should go to your home page or the most appropriate page of your site where your sign up tag is prominently displayed. Make it quick and painless. Just ask for limited information (e.g. first name, last name, email address) to start because subscribers are more likely to complete a short form than a longer one at the beginning of a relationship.

- Make your privacy policy clear up front. Be sure your subscribers understand how you will be using their email address and let them know what kinds of emails to expect and how often. Finally, confirm that their personal information will not be sold or traded and explain that they can decide to “opt-out” of further communications at any time.

Take advantage of this very important marketing tool!

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