| upon a time, in 1969, there was a young woman who | | | | Press Releases - Particularly helpful if the release is |
| had a dream of starting her own company. She had | | | | tied to an upcoming holiday or a recent event. |
| ideas, talent and work ethic to spare but what she | | | | Creating Content - Offering articles and case studies is |
| didn't have was cash. After careful research she | | | | by far the most reliable way to find clients and brand |
| found that marketing would cost more than all the | | | | yourself as an expert in your field. |
| other aspects of her business combined. Out came | | | | Book Reviews - Some on-line books stores like allow |
| the credit cards, family loans and savings. After a few | | | | you to post reviews of books you've read. These |
| months the woman realized that she had mortgaged | | | | reviews will be tied to an "About Me" page that can |
| her future to the hilt and she still couldn't make enough | | | | include information about you and your business and |
| money to buy her way out of debt. Sadly, she closed | | | | your URL. |
| up shop and went back to a job she hated at an | | | | Forums - Joining forums that cover your area of |
| uncaring corporation. | | | | expertise is a good move. Help people by answering |
| Fast-forward thirty years and meet a young man | | | | questions about your topic and include your URL in |
| working at an insurance company who dreamed of | | | | your signature. |
| starting his own small business as a financial planner. | | | | Testimonials - Wise marketers ask every existing |
| He had the education and experience but what he | | | | client for testimonials to be used on their website and |
| didn't have was cash. The year is 1999 and after a | | | | or printed marketing material. |
| few weeks of research the young man realized that | | | | Newsletters - Keeping in touch with customers and |
| marketing and promotion were vital to the success of | | | | prospects with an on-line e-zine is a good way to build |
| his business. However, the young man knew about a | | | | a steady stream of loyal clients. |
| magical method of promotion that wasn't available to | | | | Teleseminars - A small investment in a bridge line |
| the young woman in 1969. What was the magical | | | | allows a group of people to sign up for a free or fee |
| method he used to start his business part-time and | | | | based seminar on your area of expertise. |
| build it into a full-time thriving practice after six months? | | | | Referrals - Proactively asking clients for referrals |
| The answer, of course, is the internet! | | | | works better if they are offered a discount on |
| It's true that the internet seems like a capricious | | | | products or services in return. |
| magician that selectively waves a magic wand over | | | | Solo E-zine Ads - Solo ads are an advertisement or |
| some small businesses. However, the reasons for this | | | | article sent by itself to a list of newsletter readers. |
| became glaringly clear to the young man after he | | | | Many solo ads are competitively priced and offer a |
| completed his research. He discovered that success is | | | | generous amount of room for your message. |
| garnered by avoiding scams such as "business | | | | The young man learned a lesson that we can all |
| opportunities" that seem too good to be true. In addition | | | | appreciate. There is no "get rich quick schemes" that |
| to hard work and patience he stayed away from | | | | work on or off-line. The only way to prosper hasn't |
| spam, Free For All Links (FFAs), pyramid schemes, | | | | changed over time... build client relationships with hard |
| network marketing, sweepstakes and investment | | | | work and excellent customer service. Cultivate |
| fraud. He used to avoid anything that remotely | | | | patience and find your own internet magic by following |
| resembled a scam. | | | | in the footsteps of the young man. |
| The young man developed a marketing plan focusing | | | | (c) 2005, Davis Virtual Assistance. All rights in all media |
| on the internet and after six months he found the | | | | reserved. |
| following free or nearly free strategies worked best: | | | | |