Free Online Marketing

Well hopefully by now you've set up your website and you've got a nice shiny domain name and email, you're going to get loads of business now! Sorry to shatter your dreams but it's going to take a bit of work to get your site found, your site is like a needle in a very big haystack and how do you find a needle in a haystack? - with a magnet. 


With the rise of social media over the last few years you've got a nice big magnet to promote your site and for the most part it's all free! 


There is an art to social media in getting it right and I'll give tips on each specific one over the next few weeks this is just a guide to get you started. here is a list of site you should get up and running to promote your business and new website.


While social media is great don't use it as a blatant Ad for your business, you need to be very subtle about it, social media is about building relationships first don't spam people with your business.


Twitter & Twellow
Twitter is really simple to use, basically twitter is conversations online the length of a text message that go on whether you are there or not, Setting up your twitter site is simple and takes about 10 minutes - do not pay someone to do it (I've seen a company charge £75 to do this and there are probably other charging more - this is a rip off) once you've set up your profile find people to follow those that may share your interests an dthat you could have a conversation with. You write posts about what you are doing and comments on social stuff thats happening, Tweeters will follow you back and then see your posts they may comment about what you've written and you do the same by hitting the reply button.


Twellow it just a twitter yellow pages you get to write a bit about you and your business and have a link to your twitter site and your website.


Facebook 
You can create your own fan page for your business, this site can be a bit more down to business but keep it fun and add tips and photos, Send the page to your 'Friends' so they can see what you're up to and can 'Like' your page then other people will find it and 'Like' it too. 
Click on +Create Page


4Networking
4Networking is a fantastic business networking organisation that set up in 2005. Business networking groups meet all over the country and 4N has, at the time of writing this over 250 groups with business owners meet for breakfast to connect with like minded business owners. There is a cost to meeting like this and becoming a member and I'll talk about networking in another post, the great thing about the 4Networking website is that It's free to use! you can go on fill out a profile  with a link back to your site and contact details and then you can use the forums to connect with other businesses!


LinkedIn 
Really easy one fill out your LinkedIn profile, find and join (or start your own) groups over time find people to link with - this may be from networking events, or from your groups you're part of.


Blogger
You could set up your own blog just like this one to let people know about areas of your business and tips on  how to do something! keep in mind though it's not about making a blatant Ad about your business have links to your website but don't make each post about you and your business, no one will read it give something of value! It may be about your journey in business too. Let me know about it though I'd love to read it.


Click on my links for these social sites so we can connect on those! 
With all these site there are some rules to making it work.

1. People buy from people - add a picture of yourself not a logo or picture of you and a friend or pet
2. Fill out your profiles in full
3. Don't spam people keep it social
4. Add value in what you do and do your best to help others.

To Your Online Success

Paul

Free Online Marketing