As a copywriter I’ve recently revisited the whole internet marketing business, and found that a lot of people are promoting expensive ways to market online or explaining tediously technical things to do to enhance your website. I’ve found that when you’re struggling to market your online business, you need to break it down to these simple steps.

OK, is your business promoting your own products/services or someone else’s? If it’s your own products, then you might need more promotional activity in appropriate media types, whereas if it’s someone else’s products (affiliate marketing) you can choose just one or two avenues of traffic to really focus on.

Say you want to promote your small or home-based business online, what avenues could you use? How about these:

Google Adwords– first use their free keyword analyser tool to find most searched for keywords. (Too busy? Just contact me as it comes as part of any online writing project).

Before using PPC, try my Low Cost SEO. That is, use niche keyword phrases in your website content. Keyword phrases or “keyword rich content” are fancy names for the words that your target market is looking for. Some marketers mystify the area and charge megabucks to optimise a website with keywords and tags (those hidden codes) and create links to improve your Google ranking … this is something I do as part of any paid copywriting project, and it doesn’t cost the earth.

Another low-cost way to promote your business (bricks and mortar, online store, or affiliate site) is to have an email marketing system. These days it has been made easy with automated email marketing hosts, such as Email Marketer by Online Visions, an Australian company. I have done my research, and for the first-time user, these guys have a great deal. Some of the others do not charge the small set up fee ($59) but then they charge more per month + charge per email, which really adds up. (Please mention Power of Words if you join up)

Another free way to get more traffic is listing in online business directories. No, not the Yellow Pages! There are business directories that will list your business name, website link, and description of services for FREE. Sure, some have a paid premium option but that is up to you. Here are some national and local ones below:

www.hotfrog.com.au
www.ourbrisbane.com
www.truelocal.com.au
www.startlocal.com.au
www.moretonbayregion.com.au
www.reddydirectory.com.au(Redcliffe businesses)

Forums and Blog Comments

If you are a specialist in a certain field, why not make contact with people in forums? Select some Australian forums with likeminded individuals, where you can post answers to people’s questions or post your own ideas or questions. You usually are allowed to put a ‘signature’ (see manage profile) so your small promotional line can go automatically in each comment. Instead of silly avatars, try uploading a small photo of yourself, so people can relate to you. In others’ blogs you can oftimes post a comment with a hyperlink to your site. Forum and blog posts are a great way to make contact with potential clients or suppliers.

http://businesswomenunite.net/powerofwords (This is my free, professional profile)
(also check out the groups and forums there)

http://www.flyingsolo.com.au/forums/
(also check out the great articles)

Also seek one forum which relates to your career.

I hope that I was able to help you with the minefield of internet marketing. Please let me know if you would like me to write some keyword and sales driven copy for you.

Please email me today with your enquiry and I will get straight back to you.