Know-How Exchange : E-Marketing

Unfortunately - typical free internet advertising is generally ineffective in a traditional sense. You get what you pay for.

There are 1000's of free directories which you can list your business for free - do a Google search. They take lots of time to enter your business CORRECTLY because they need a UN, PW, details, descriptions, etc. Posting services submitting your business to 100's of directories are ineffective at attracting real attention and provide listing with only (unattractive) minimal information. You need to do, or pay someone to do, the legwork to manually create accounts on the top directories. Directories that place your web site URL are better because they can create back links to your web site. If a search engine sees them is another issue with each site.

Posting relevant forum comments with your web site URL also works temporarily and only are seen by a very small audience.

A MUST DO - Manually enter your business to Search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, AOL, etc that offer free business profiles. These will give you the most mileage. Automatic submission services again are ineffective. For example Bing requires a line of code on your web site to verify you are the owner - no submission service does that unless they do it MANUALLY.

Most major cities have local business site to enter your business. If you do this yourself, keep a spreadsheet of your progress, UN & PW, because many sites take days or weeks or months to approve your listing. There are a few independent companies that feed major services like Yellow Pages, or AOL, etc.

Other methods can be co-op ads with others (they pay and you provide them something of value, or you split the cost). Not really effective on the web.

Consider affiliate sales where others advertise (and sell the product) for you and you provide a commission.

Social marketing and blogging are other free methods but it takes a lot of time and constant attention to build relationships and followers. Separately or combine those with a YouTube video.

Basically - if you're in business and can't afford to advertise, you have an uphill battle unless you have a product and network that can solicit interest virally and at a volume to support the business.

Call if you wish more detailed information.

Sincerely

Bob
AdsValue.com

Craigslist...but don't forget all the free listings on superpages.com and things like that.

Michael

Free advertising, like most other free stuff, is worth what you pay for it. If you believe advertising will generate profitable sales for you, you should be willing to pay for it. If you don't believe that, why bother -- even if it's free?

Instead of advertising, find something remarkable about the business and pitch local writers your "angle". That's likely to be read and the price is right. However, you do have to do your homework: which writers, what message, why is it of value to their readership (and not just free advertising), etc.