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Why using Free Marketing can help your business

By Katherine Quirke

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 27Feb2008
Word count: 651
Viewed: 317 time(s)

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The advantages of freebies can be many but at the same time you can be caught up in a marketing campaign that you just don't want. So how can you beat the marketing pitfalls when you are offered something for nothing?

In this article we discuss what to look for and how to test for validity.

1. Let's consider free classifieds and email sites.

a. Free Classifieds are completely harmless. Having tested hundreds of sites there is nothing to be found that will cause you any marketing grief. What you do need to do though is look at the sites that will give you an option of both pay per ad and free ads. You should also look for sites that promote to the search engines on a regular basis. This gives your ad and your website more visual power and your website backlinking from the major search engines.

b. Email sites are usually known as Safelists. A safelist can boost your business a thousand fold. There are free safelists and there are paid ones. We have found both types of safelists to be effective. We have however, found a paid safelist has a slightly better quality range of leads than that of a free safelist. A safelist allows you to email thousands of likeminded clients without being accused of spam. This is very important as direct marketing is the most effective form of marketing and spamming is a fineable offence. Therefore safelists rectify this problem.

2. Search Engine Submission. This is a minefield and unless you have loads of time you probably don't want to do it yourself. Free search engine submission offers are great but what they essentially do is list your website on smaller non-descript sites where nobody will find you. To really get your website out there you should pay somebody to do it. We have found that as little as $10 a month will get your website into over 1000 quality websites and increase your hits and your sales.

3. Marketing need not be all about the Internet. What about promotional material such as business cards? A business card is something you really must have no matter what business you are in. A person with your business card in their pocket, wallet or on their fridge will be a great asset to you. Why? Because whenever they access these areas they see your card and are subliminally reminded of you. That is why repetitive TV and Advertising works - it is all subliminal. So what has this to do with freebies? Well surprisingly there are companies out there who want to help you by giving away free business cards. You normally only need to pay for the postage. They can offer you a great range of designs and layouts to ensure you have a professional look without the cost. So don't discount a Business Card freebie it could well give your business a kick start.

Finally...

4. Free downloads. There is nothing free in this world or is there? Most times you have to pay a service fee, a postage fee, or read other peoples ads, or receive offer for whatever it is you are accessing for free. This can be really worth your while. If you are looking for free downloads then look for those that have an admin free attached and don't expect you to sign up in some way. That way you will not get bombarded by junk mail and just get what you were wanting - free downloads. Also if you are in business look for the free downloads that give you the opportunity to give away goodies to your clients, or to resell as well as to use yourself. Otherwise there is no point even bothering.

So there it is an overview of the great way to market your business using freebies.

Best wishes with your business!

Katherine Quirke is an Australian based business entrepreneur. She has worked in the IT industry for over 10 years and owned a number of businesses over the last 20 years. Sharing her knowledge has become a passion. Click here to get free business cards. Click here to get free classifieds and free email.

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