Cross promotion is not a new idea. It has been used by businesses for a very long time. For example, a real-estate company may promote a certain lawyer to close a sale. In turn, the lawyer will promote that agency in his firm. The system is somewhat similar to the primitive barter system where people traded items rather than using money. But how can anything primitive fit into the online world of Internet Marketing? Very easily!

A cross promotion is, simply stated, the trading of ad space. Instead of paying for advertising space on a site, you simply place someone else’s business ad on your page and your ad on theirs. There are many ways to use cross promotions in your internet business that can equate to effective and cost efficient advertising.

One way is to use link exchanges. This is very effective when considering cross promoting with a
company that is similar to yours. However, you should avoid linking to a page that is in direct competition with yours. One of the biggest pluses for using link exchanges is that some search engines are factoring in hits from the sites that are linked to your page when determining the ranking. Therefore, linking to a more popular site can not only increase your advertising and traffic, but also your search engine ranking.

When customers or potential customers subscribe to your ezine, you can use this as an opportunity to use cross promotions. On the same page that the customer subscribes to your ezine, make available the opportunity to subscribe to another company’s ezine. You can even exchange ad space in ezines and provide recommendations for those with whom you cross promote. You may even want to exchange column space in one another’s ezines.

Writing free articles that inform customers or potential customers with information that is useful
and accurate can create a reputation for you and your business. Readers will quickly come to know you as an expert on that subject. In these articles, the author uses a byline to help promote his site. Bylines are yet another way to use cross promotions. You can use part of the space in your byline to recommend someone else’s product.

Simple phrases can carry an impacting wallop! The key…keep it simple, yet powerful. Power phrases work because they effect the emotions of the reader. They allow the reader to FEEL the benefits that your product or service offers them.

Let’s face it, we make emotional decisions about our purchases and then look for the logic to back it up. Hey, even the logic makes us FEEL like we’ve made the right choice! Yes, we’ll use logic to justify our purchases, but the real motivator is the emotional impact the purchase evokes.

The Secrets to Creating Power Phrases
1. You want to become a pro at creating phrases that spur the customer’s desire for your product or service? Write a list of all the benefits your product or service has to offer. Simply combine one or more benefits with high intensity action words and you’re ready to go!

Here are some examples to get you started:

” Quick! Easy! And Rock Bottom Prices!

” Work You’ll Love, More Money in Your Pocket, and More Time to Spend It!

2. High Impact words like: quick, easy, low-cost, enjoy, love, and help are key to creating statements that create dramatic word pictures in your customer’s mind.

Developing a brand is a difficult challenge even for the most experienced executives. This is mainly true in hard financial times when consumers tend to forego known brands and names to buy less expensive replacements. Even big established companies have problem with branding in new markets. Oftentimes, launching their products in other countries that have different language creates different meaning or interpretation to their brand name.

It is a fact that a good brand name is important. To the outside world, the brand name represents who you are and what you do. What kind of business do you have? How does your business differ from others? What is your business focused on doing? And what makes you unique, after all? Brand names are especially important for independent professionals and small business because they face tighter competition. And a well designed and created brand name can help them appear more professional, compete on a larger market and stand out in the crowded marketplace.

When you have decided what brand to create, you have to vigilantly reinforce it every moment you are in business. Web site content and domain names should likewise reinforce your brand. Keep in mind that your brand needs to affect all things your business does and every bit of information that comes out of your office. Everywhere you use your brand with uniformity, you are communicating with the voice of your company.

Every great performance goes out with a bang, right? My favorite finale has always been fireworks. Whether it’s the end of the day at Disney World or a Fourth of July Celebration, I enjoy the bright colors and loud sounds of the explosions. They bring to mind a sense of power and impact that finishes off a great day.

Why not take that concept and include it into copywriting for your next direct mail campaign? The three most import aspects of any sales letter/flyer/postcard are:

1. Openings that get your mail read
2. Copy that sells
3. And yes… a call-to-action that makes a big bang!

The call-to-action must be direct and to the point. A simply click here, buy today, or save money isn’t enough. It’s kind of like hanging up a “Wanted Dead or Alive” sign around town without supplying a name. It doesn’t lead to the capture of many “wanted.”

The three basic aspects of a strong call to action are…

1. Communicate your expectations.
If you want your reader to pick up the phone, visit your Web site, or bring a coupon to your store, say it. Be direct! Let them know exactly what you want them to do.