The best solution is to try and find a balance between these two forms of generating traffic. When you combine the best free traffic sources with some of the best paid advertising, you are on the right path to get a result. Me personally, I will suggest three methods that will boost your online traffic, and if you put your mind to it and concentrate to these three methods of advertising, the traffic you need will come. Let me give you a brief description of my favorite three methods which are: (1) Posting and Contributing to forums; (2) Writing and Distributing your own articles; (3) Buying and Writing Ezine ads.

1. Posting and Contributing to Forums

Please try to understand that these places are not for posting ads. The primary scope is to contribute with your questions and answers. Forum spam is becoming more common, and above all it does not go down very well. If you ask me too many once good forums have been bombarded with Ads posted by online marketers. Therefore, your no.1 goal is to visit these forums, read as many posts as possible, and when you think that you have a good question or answer, then post it to the forum. This type of attitude towards forums will allow you to build certain credibility in that forum, and only by giving an honest and well thought opinion on the topic discussed will generate interest in your business from other members. As you build your credibility, you will generate free traffic, and most forums allow you to post a link at the end of your post where you can promote not advertise your business.

2. Writing and Distributing your own Articles

Articles can give you that much needed advantage over your competitor, and a good reason to write you own is that these have the potential of becoming viral once posted. In truth and honesty, I can say that this is my no1 method of diverting free traffic to my site. It is important to concentrate on creating a 500 word article which is relevant to the nature of your online business, and then at the end of your article it is important to include a resource box that displays a link back to your own site. When done, post your article to article distribution sites, and also email groups. To see traffic from this method, it is important that you repeat the process continuously.

3. Buying and Writing Ezine Ads.

This is the method which is not free. However, this paid method of advertising works efficiently, because it is the most specifically targeted method of all three. Start by writing a good ad for your business, and link to your auto responder or directly to your site. The next step is to contact Ezines to place your ad. If you do a search for ezine directories, you will find enough lists to keep you busy for a long time. Once contacted, look for rates for both classified ads and solo ads. Solo ads are usually more effective because they out in a separate email, but for this reason they are more expensive. So make sure that you choose the right ezines which relate to your business and do not advertise in an unrelated ezine. Once this is done, you will need to track your results to see which ezines bring you the most and best traffic in order to repeat the process with different ads.

These three methods of generating traffic will keep you busy for a while, and if you do things the right way and most important of all stay focused, you will definitely see the traffic you need.

To Your Success,

Brian Camilleri

Get More Traffic Than You Can Use is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com

Be familiar with the show/publication. Your pitch should be about how your story will work for them. Don’t do a general pitch (“A story about dog training.”) but suggest the segment the story would be right for, or what makes it right for them.

Don’t take “no” personally. It may be that they have just done a similar story, or they can’t fit it in, or it just isn’t right for them. If you speak with someone, ask if they can suggest another show or publication where the story might work.

If at first you don’t succeed, pitch again. But wait at least a month or two, and come back with a different angle, not exactly the same idea that got turned down.

Many now prefer e-mail pitches to fax. It is fast to review, and can be easily forwarded to several others. Faxes often pile up unread, but e-mail gets read.

Keep your e-mail short and to the point. DO NOT send any attachments, as they will be deleted unopened (if they get through at all). You can include a link to your Web site or online media kit where more information is available.

When you e-mail, make your subject line enticing. Using “Hi!” or something else that looks like spam will get it deleted without being read. Start with QUERY: or PITCH: then give a short, punchy headline.

One national TV show producer said that you didn’t need to send video with your initial (mail) pitch, another said if you mailed a pitch with no video you wouldn’t be considered. In either case, you will need a video of other TV appearances before you get on a national show, so be on the safe side and send it.

Local media are always looking for local experts to interview on a variety of topics. Send them your bio and credentials and they will keep you on file for the next time they need an expert in your field.

Remember that the media do not exist to give you free publicity. They are there to inform, educate and entertain their readers, listeners and viewers. Help them do that, and you will have many publicity opportunities.

Get Free Publicity: Tips From The Experts is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com

Be familiar with the show/publication. Your pitch should be about how your story will work for them. Don’t do a general pitch (“A story about dog training.”) but suggest the segment the story would be right for, or what makes it right for them.

Don’t take “no” personally. It may be that they have just done a similar story, or they can’t fit it in, or it just isn’t right for them. If you speak with someone, ask if they can suggest another show or publication where the story might work.

If at first you don’t succeed, pitch again. But wait at least a month or two, and come back with a different angle, not exactly the same idea that got turned down.

Many now prefer e-mail pitches to fax. It is fast to review, and can be easily forwarded to several others. Faxes often pile up unread, but e-mail gets read.

Keep your e-mail short and to the point. DO NOT send any attachments, as they will be deleted unopened (if they get through at all). You can include a link to your Web site or online media kit where more information is available.

When you e-mail, make your subject line enticing. Using “Hi!” or something else that looks like spam will get it deleted without being read. Start with QUERY: or PITCH: then give a short, punchy headline.

One national TV show producer said that you didn’t need to send video with your initial (mail) pitch, another said if you mailed a pitch with no video you wouldn’t be considered. In either case, you will need a video of other TV appearances before you get on a national show, so be on the safe side and send it.

Local media are always looking for local experts to interview on a variety of topics. Send them your bio and credentials and they will keep you on file for the next time they need an expert in your field.

Remember that the media do not exist to give you free publicity. They are there to inform, educate and entertain their readers, listeners and viewers. Help them do that, and you will have many publicity opportunities.

Get Free Publicity: Tips From The Experts is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com

Be familiar with the show/publication. Your pitch should be about how your story will work for them. Don’t do a general pitch (“A story about dog training.”) but suggest the segment the story would be right for, or what makes it right for them.

Don’t take “no” personally. It may be that they have just done a similar story, or they can’t fit it in, or it just isn’t right for them. If you speak with someone, ask if they can suggest another show or publication where the story might work.

If at first you don’t succeed, pitch again. But wait at least a month or two, and come back with a different angle, not exactly the same idea that got turned down.

Many now prefer e-mail pitches to fax. It is fast to review, and can be easily forwarded to several others. Faxes often pile up unread, but e-mail gets read.

Keep your e-mail short and to the point. DO NOT send any attachments, as they will be deleted unopened (if they get through at all). You can include a link to your Web site or online media kit where more information is available.

When you e-mail, make your subject line enticing. Using “Hi!” or something else that looks like spam will get it deleted without being read. Start with QUERY: or PITCH: then give a short, punchy headline.

One national TV show producer said that you didn’t need to send video with your initial (mail) pitch, another said if you mailed a pitch with no video you wouldn’t be considered. In either case, you will need a video of other TV appearances before you get on a national show, so be on the safe side and send it.

Local media are always looking for local experts to interview on a variety of topics. Send them your bio and credentials and they will keep you on file for the next time they need an expert in your field.

Remember that the media do not exist to give you free publicity. They are there to inform, educate and entertain their readers, listeners and viewers. Help them do that, and you will have many publicity opportunities.

Get Free Publicity: Tips From The Experts is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com

Be familiar with the show/publication. Your pitch should be about how your story will work for them. Don’t do a general pitch (“A story about dog training.”) but suggest the segment the story would be right for, or what makes it right for them.

Don’t take “no” personally. It may be that they have just done a similar story, or they can’t fit it in, or it just isn’t right for them. If you speak with someone, ask if they can suggest another show or publication where the story might work.

If at first you don’t succeed, pitch again. But wait at least a month or two, and come back with a different angle, not exactly the same idea that got turned down.

Many now prefer e-mail pitches to fax. It is fast to review, and can be easily forwarded to several others. Faxes often pile up unread, but e-mail gets read.

Keep your e-mail short and to the point. DO NOT send any attachments, as they will be deleted unopened (if they get through at all). You can include a link to your Web site or online media kit where more information is available.

When you e-mail, make your subject line enticing. Using “Hi!” or something else that looks like spam will get it deleted without being read. Start with QUERY: or PITCH: then give a short, punchy headline.

One national TV show producer said that you didn’t need to send video with your initial (mail) pitch, another said if you mailed a pitch with no video you wouldn’t be considered. In either case, you will need a video of other TV appearances before you get on a national show, so be on the safe side and send it.

Local media are always looking for local experts to interview on a variety of topics. Send them your bio and credentials and they will keep you on file for the next time they need an expert in your field.

Remember that the media do not exist to give you free publicity. They are there to inform, educate and entertain their readers, listeners and viewers. Help them do that, and you will have many publicity opportunities.

Get Free Publicity: Tips From The Experts is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com

1.) Have a plan Even if you just scrawl it down on a piece of loose leaf paper, that will work but you should definitely go into this with a plan. You will plan for things like: how many craft shows you will attend, the cost to make the craft and how much you should sell it for, craft show expenses (they vary from show to show), how many crafts you want to produce, and so on.

By going into this without a plan, you are essentially going in blindly, without a path to follow. This can be a precursor to failure and that isnt what we want. Set some goals, determine a few craft show costs and you are going to be much better off.

2.) Search the markets A lot of people have expressed an interest in your craft, but are they going to buy it at craft shows? In order to find out, you need to go to a few craft shows before you start out on your own and decide if this product you have will sell. Are others selling it? If so, how is it selling?

Further, you can talk to craft store employees, other crafters, people at the craft shows essentially anyone who might have an interest in your product and see if your craft is something they would buy. This is a slimmed-down version of market research but it will be valuable to help you get your craft show business off the ground.

3.) Present well If you have put together a plan, done your market research and you are ready to take this crafting business to the next level, then here is something you need to think about presentation. If you just have a few tables with your crafts strewn about on the table people will be less likely to buy.

However, if you create an attractive sales area, make your products easily accessible and provide a simple transaction for the customer they are far more likely to buy!

4.) The price is right You bet it is! You will have to do a little bit of price discovery when you start, just to see the price when most of your crafts are going to sell. Some tips for finding the best prices are: go a penny lower than the next highest number; for example $9.99 instead of $10. Ask people what they would be willing to pay for it. The question may come as a surprise to them, but chances are they will give you an honest answer.

The above points are just the tip of the iceberg. If you are starting a business to sell your crafts at craft shows, you need to do a little bit of groundwork before you start. Talk to others who are in the business and you will find out more along the way. Good luck!

Getting Your Craft Show Business Off The Ground is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com

Often, it pays to think of the reason why people keep business cards in the first place. Understanding this concept can affect the design and effectiveness of your card. There are some reasons why people even keep business cards. For one, they use them as link to a supplier or resource. Lets say you are in the construction business and you meet someone who sells hard to find equipments. You will probably keep their business card to contact them whenever you need equipments. Second, you may keep them as a contact to a colleague. Perhaps from time to time you need to contact your business associates or work with other members of the industry. Having their business cards can facilitate contact much easier.

You may also keep business cards for non-business reasons such as when socializing and organizing parties. Likewise, you may retain business cards for the purpose of referring them to someone else. Like for instance, your neighbor needs someone who washes windows. You will probably pass on the card to him so he could contact them.

But often people see business cards simply as contact information for a customer or potential customer. With a little planning you can avoid that routine and make you cards unique and more useful to customers.

There are dozens of ways you can use to encourage customers to hold on to your business card. Most of these ideas center on providing information that the customer may find useful. By using a unique format such a tri-fold format or by adding relevant information on the flip side of the card, you can add value to your business card that makes them worth keeping. For instance, you can include at the back of the card a calendar that lists typical upcoming events. Lets say you own a coffee house. You can promote events such as live bands, karaoke nights or comedy nights at the back of the card.

Nevertheless, no matter how you design your card make sure that they still effectively provide the information that the customers need to know. Remember that your card may be passes on to someone else or the recipient may be trying to remember you later after a long day of meeting people at a convention. So, make those cards do the sale for you.

Getting People to Keep Your Cards is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com

The best solution is to try and find a balance between these two forms of generating traffic. When you combine the best free traffic sources with some of the best paid advertising, you are on the right path to get a result. Me personally, I will suggest three methods that will boost your online traffic, and if you put your mind to it and concentrate to these three methods of advertising, the traffic you need will come. Let me give you a brief description of my favorite three methods which are: (1) Posting and Contributing to forums; (2) Writing and Distributing your own articles; (3) Buying and Writing Ezine ads.

1. Posting and Contributing to Forums

Please try to understand that these places are not for posting ads. The primary scope is to contribute with your questions and answers. Forum spam is becoming more common, and above all it does not go down very well. If you ask me too many once good forums have been bombarded with Ads posted by online marketers. Therefore, your no.1 goal is to visit these forums, read as many posts as possible, and when you think that you have a good question or answer, then post it to the forum. This type of attitude towards forums will allow you to build certain credibility in that forum, and only by giving an honest and well thought opinion on the topic discussed will generate interest in your business from other members. As you build your credibility, you will generate free traffic, and most forums allow you to post a link at the end of your post where you can promote not advertise your business.

2. Writing and Distributing your own Articles

Articles can give you that much needed advantage over your competitor, and a good reason to write you own is that these have the potential of becoming viral once posted. In truth and honesty, I can say that this is my no1 method of diverting free traffic to my site. It is important to concentrate on creating a 500 word article which is relevant to the nature of your online business, and then at the end of your article it is important to include a resource box that displays a link back to your own site. When done, post your article to article distribution sites, and also email groups. To see traffic from this method, it is important that you repeat the process continuously.

3. Buying and Writing Ezine Ads.

This is the method which is not free. However, this paid method of advertising works efficiently, because it is the most specifically targeted method of all three. Start by writing a good ad for your business, and link to your auto responder or directly to your site. The next step is to contact Ezines to place your ad. If you do a search for ezine directories, you will find enough lists to keep you busy for a long time. Once contacted, look for rates for both classified ads and solo ads. Solo ads are usually more effective because they out in a separate email, but for this reason they are more expensive. So make sure that you choose the right ezines which relate to your business and do not advertise in an unrelated ezine. Once this is done, you will need to track your results to see which ezines bring you the most and best traffic in order to repeat the process with different ads.

These three methods of generating traffic will keep you busy for a while, and if you do things the right way and most important of all stay focused, you will definitely see the traffic you need.

To Your Success,

Brian Camilleri

Get More Traffic Than You Can Use is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com

The most popular, and common, way to generate free promotion for a watch bands business is through the use of a press release. This brief, one page news report is distributed to press association websites, magazines, trade publications and local newspapers. Whether your watch bands company already has a physical storefront, is primarily web-based or mail order, the use of press releases can really help to spread the word about your company in a positive light. When most people pick up a publication, they do so in order to read stories. Advertisements are just placeholders that publications use to generate additional revenue. Business owners run paid ads in the hopes that publication readers will notice their company and become a customer. But, the best way to advertise is through an actual news story that people will want to read. This instantly becomes more credible than any paid advertisement and may result in new customers much quicker.

In order for a press release to be accepted, it must contain the name, address and telephone number of the person who is submitting the news. Press releases should be limited to one page, or less, of information and should end with a brief one paragraph profile of the company. The news has to sound catchy without sounding like a blatant advertisement and may include photos if available. For instance, if your company has new watch bands in stock or has recently designed a new line, a press release would be ideal.

Every watch bands business should also have a web presence, which will open their business up to a world of potential customers. The internet is a virtual shopping mall where customers around the globe stop in to shop. A quality watch bands website should feature color photos, a professional design, company history and ordering information. Most businesses prefer to have a secure payment system, which allows customers to order using a credit card. For customers who do not use credit cards, a printable order form should be provided in order to allow shoppers to mail their payment.

As a final thought to gaining free promotion for your watch bands business, consider the use of search engines, link exchanges and article marketing. These are several of the more popular ways to generate additional website traffic and revenue for any company.

Free Promotion For Your Watch Bands Business is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com

Microsoft has literally impacted the entire worlds lifestyles and economies. That spells S-U-C-C-E-S-S to me. Maybe thats why I was so shocked to find out that this Super Company was losing money on one of its newest and high-demand products.

The very idea had me scratching my head. Microsoft and profit losses go together about like boxing gloves and fine china. When I think of the computer giant, I automatically associate it with big bucks and success. It caught me by surprise to find out that the Xbox 360 has cost Microsoft millions of dollars!

Why would this globally recognized business be willing to lose millions of dollars on just one product? Its a simple idea known as market dominance, and theyre interested in being king in a brand new market of video game consoles.

Market dominance works like a word association game. For example, I say department store. What pops into your mind? Theres a pretty good chance it was Wal Mart. If I say computer, youre likely to think Microsoft – unless youre a hard-core Macintosh or Linux fan.

The goal to market dominance is to have your business name pop into the minds of your potential customers in direct association with the product or service that you offer. Now, dont sweat it. You dont have to sink millions of dollars into a profit losing product to do it.

It really can be as simples as these four easy steps

1. NEVER allow a customer to leave without getting contact information.
Capturing contact information is crucial whether your business is online or offline. It can be as simples as a questionnaire on your counter or a pop-up box on your web page. Do whatever it takes to get the information you need to stay in contact with them.
2. Use Direct Mail
Id suggest using flyers and post cards about 18 times each year to keep your potential customers linked. After a while, theyll become familiar with your business and know your logo and message by heart. After all, the kids dont even write home from college that often!
3. Use the Telephone
As the popularity of telemarketers hits an all-time low, businesses tend to shy away from using it. Dont forget that it is still a valuable tool that can keep you hooked up with potential consumers.
4. Email
If you havent invested in an email campaign this would be a good time to start. Email is a great way to effectively build a solid bond with your audience. Ezines, or online newsletters, are perfect for setting yourself up as the expert in the field. If you feed your consumers a weekly tidbit of valuable information, theyll soon come expect excellence in association with your business.

Gaining market dominance can be as simple as keeping in constant touch in a variety of ways with potential consumers, but one of the most profitable investments youll ever make.

Four Must Use Secrets to Dominate the Market is a post from: Marketing Blogs | Albrowmarketing.com