The Budget Webmaster: Promote Your Site for FREE!
by Kath Blackwell
The best things in life really are free, and if you are a webmaster on a budget, there are so many ways that you can promote your Web site without spending a dime. We all know how valuable time is - but if you can just dedicate some time to exploring some new options each week - you could be getting free promotional space in many different places throughout the industry!
POSTING - The key to effective posting on webmaster resource boards is getting involved. Become a part of the community in which you choose to post, and you will ensure that your subtle posts about the new content you're offering, or the new paysite in your affiliate program, won't be seen as SPAM. Become a part of the surroundings - pop in once a day or a couple of times a week - and get involved in the conversations. Most boards are now in threaded format, which makes it easier to pick and choose topics to which you want to contribute, rather than wading through a huge list of conversations.
Make a post, include a tagline where available, and be sure to take advantage of signature, avatar, graphics posting (for banners) and profile opportunities. All of these options are free for registered users, so take a weekend afternoon and get registered! Participation within the community not only gets your name - and face if you use a personalized avatar - out there, but it will also give others the information to seek you out at industry events for networking and possible business opportunities.
WRITING - Most webmaster resources and news sites have a little request line somewhere on their main page that simply says "write for us!" You don't necessarily have to be a great writer to get published on a webmaster e-zine - you just need something to say! Are you an expert on TGP traffic generation - or do you know all the ins and outs about the lifestyle of the extreme fetishist? Do you have a knack for working the engines - or can you give tips on basic PhotoShop design? All you need is a skill and a desire to write effectively, and you've got all the ingredients necessary to write a printable article.
So what's in it for you? Check with the online editor for options that can include free banner space with your regular article or column, a nice biography line about you, your business and a hyperlink to your program - or even free ad spots on a main page or high-profile area. It will depend upon how often you write, the topics you choose to write about and of course the opportunities available at the webmaster resource you choose to deal with. Remember - exclusivity is important to some editors. Make sure to ask ahead of time before submitting the same article to other competitors. An exclusive article will be worth more to the webmaster resource than one that is distributed freely everywhere.
TRADING - Back in history - before there were modern currencies and methods for exchange - the barter system lived and thrived well in many cultures. The barter system still works well today on the adult Internet. Give me some of your content to use on my site and I'll give you some of mine. We'll credit each other with buttons or text links below and voila - we both get some extra advertisement and some extra content to boot!
Content is not the only commodity available for exchange on the 'Net. Graphic designers might offer their services in exchange for erotic text from a story writer; photographers might offer exclusive sets in exchange for traffic; search engine gurus might offer meta tag tutoring in exchange for an increased payout in a webmaster program - the possibilities are endless!
LINKING - Link trades are still one of the best FREE ways to generate traffic on your site while building relationships with other webmasters in the community. Don't just limit yourself to link list or TGP trades, approach other webmasters who offer niches that are similar to the ones that you promote - or that compliment the ones that you are using. Build a network of trading opportunities with other webmasters, and create a mutually beneficial exchange for all involved!
ANNOUNCING - Never underestimate the power of the press release or message board announcement. Send your press releases to the webmaster resources directly, to get the word out on new programs, products, sets, services or other opportunities that are coming available on your Web sites. Anyone can write a press release - it's a simple, direct form of communication that follows an easy pattern. Just check out some of the press releases that are currently published on Klixxx.com or other news sites, and you'll see how easy it really is.
Most webmaster resource sites DO require a link back in your webmaster area for the purpose of publishing your press announcements. Others may require sponsorship as well - check this out ahead of time before getting upset that your announcement wasn't posted, and build relationships with the resources at the same time as well!
CHATTING - Chat rooms are a great way to get the word out - and even better yet, participating in an online newbie or otherwise instructional chat pertaining to your area of expertise is a great way to get more recognition as someone "in the know" in that arena. Radio shows and radio show chat rooms are another option. Don't spam the room - participate. Contact the hosts directly, and volunteer your services. Chances are they are looking for people to interview on their shows anyway!
Most of the free promotional ideas that I've mentioned above are basically "no-brainers" that require little to no effort from both parties. However, it's the classic win-win situation presented to both parties that makes these arrangements so appealing. So...sit back, think about what you have to offer, and get involved in the community. You'll be surprised at how much you can receive when you offer just a little bit of yourself in return!
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