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Subtle Advertising for your Women Owned Business: Making Those Freebies Pay Off
Let’s face it, no-one’s in the business of putting a lot of blood, sweat and tears into their work, only to pass it off to others without some sort of compensation. We all have to earn a living, and the way to do that is to promote sales. Yet, one school of thought embraces the philosophy that you can get the best of both worlds – if done with a bit of subtle creativity. If you’ve been scoffing at those who have been giving away their articles without the benefit of reimbursement, perhaps they know something that’s been eluding you up until now.
The most logical question to ask yourself is, “What would motivate someone to give their work away for free?” Though the question is certainly valid, so is the answer: exposure. First of all, nothing will draw a crowd more than a giveaway of some sort. By taking advantage of that mentality, you can use those same articles to promote yourself via a bit of free advertising. If, on the other hand, you put a price tag on your work, it may be disregarded and get lost in the online media shuffle.
Through the simple act of putting a resource box at the bottom of your writing, you’ll be promoting your talents and establishing yourself in the business world. Offer your work at no charge, on the condition that anyone who reprints it out must include your resource box at the bottom of the page. This creates the potential for your work – and your name – to circulate far and wide.
If you’re wondering what it is that you have to give, then consider your talents. If, for instance, you happen to excel in the area of business reports, then post an article which brings that to the consumers’ attention. By providing one that captures the attention of potential clients, you’re generating the possibility of future financial opportunities.
People just love to read about hints and tips – or “how tos” – and will be inclined to click into an article that offers something that helps them to solve a particular problem or learn how to do something new. Using these techniques is a great way to entice people to read your article, and you may soon be recognized as an expert or guru in a given field. This is one of the best ways in which to become established.
There are a lot of e-books floating around on the internet now, and people like to think that they’re getting an entire book for free. If you look around the bookstores and check the price tags for similar products, you’ll see why this can be a successful step in a campaign to make a name for yourself. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that it has to be overly long; any reasonable length that offers helpful material will do the trick. Remember, this is a give-away, so you’re not competing with anyone in a price war. Just don’t forget to include that resource box at the end of your work.
Once you’ve determined that you’re going to launch this type of ad campaign, you’ll need to know where to post your work so that the general public will have access. Start by posting free articles on your website on a regular basis and, once people become accustomed to looking for your work, they’ll return and be more inclined to tap into whatever it is that you’re selling on the website, or simply pass your name around – which provides further exposure of both you and your work.
There are a number of websites that look for writers who are willing to post their work for free, with a promise of a byline so that the author can gain some exposure. Make sure that you’re dealing with a webmaster who will agree to use your article only if the resource box is used at the bottom of the content. Otherwise, it’s a moot point. The only way to get the necessary exposure is by getting your name out there, which won’t happen if the webmaster isn’t willing to make that type of exchange.
Creating a newsletter on your website is another great way to get it flushed out into the general populace. By allowing others to use it on their website, each time someone accesses it, it will link back to your own as a result of the resource box. It also offers the added benefit of an upsurge in your search engine rankings and will direct much more traffic to your website.
Every time someone visits your website to read an article, they’re exposed to the products that you’re selling. For those who show a talent for writing, this can serve as a catalyst for drawing more potential customers as they continue to visit your site to read articles that have drawn their interest. This, then, translates into greater sales and higher profits!
Advertising and marketing can be quite a challenge if you’re unequipped to handle such a task. For those who need a bit of help or would prefer to contract a professional to handle the job, DivaDesignWorld in
Portland
,
Oregon
is among the best in the business. Known for their progressive vision and creative approach to advertising, the staff of DivaDesignWorld is committed to working closely with the customer in order to provide a product that will meet all of their needs – at a cost that won’t break the bank.
About the Author: Monique Danielle owns Portland Marketing Agency, DivaDesignWorld.com, a full service firm that offers web development, graphic design, consulting, and a wide variety of creative services. She is also the founder of divadirectories.com,a free online resource designed to promote the growth and development of women owned businesses throughout
Oregon
,
Washington
, and the Northwest.
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