Give your users something to talk about every month and get some valuable advantages over your competetiors.
You've carefully submitted your web site to ALLLLL the search engines. You've checked, re-checked, and checked again that your site loads quickly and is pleasing to the eye, without any annoying errors to shoo your visitors away. But still you nod off to sleep as you watch your sluggish hit counter. What to do!?!
Advertize in newsgroups!
Ok ok, please don't kill me for saying that... many people are "easily offended" to put it lightly by those who choose to implement this tool of marketing magic -- which is unfortunate, being that newsgroups are "right where the people are". By that, I mean that targeted groups of people are right there, discussing topics that deal with your product or service! Hence, your marketing message will be that much more effective toward them!
How can I accomplish this "magic" without getting hung out to dry?
For starters, you must be both clever and careful while engaging in your newfound "posting practices". Here are a few pointers to help you stay out of the flaming grasp of angry newsgroup users:
1. Engage in target practice
Nothing is more annoying to newsgroup users than a message about "Jim's Amazing Washing Machines" (or whatever) in a group designated for topics concerning hunting and fishing (or whatever). Consequently, it is highly important to submit your messages to a carefully selected array of ON TOPIC groups. Example: If your company happened to sell books all about preparing sushi, you might post in groups dealing with Oriental cuisine, fish, or food in general.
2. Cross country posting
Another common mistake in newsgroup marketing is to "crosspost" (or send the exact same message) to a multitude of groups all at the same time. This causes much frustration and confusion and is generally not a good idea unless used in moderation... no more than 4 groups.
3. More more more
Since you will want to post ads on a regular basis, you will need to have a variety of messages that all say basically the same thing, or any other aspect of your product/service, but still gets the visitor to your page anyhow.
Also remember that newsgroups are a place where people TALK. So write your ad more like a email to a friend... not so "ad-like".
4. And your reply is
Many newsgroup reading programs allow you to "track" or "flag" messages that you have posted. This allows you to more easily find them again when they have become buried under the masses of newer posts. It also allows you to check to see if people have replied to any of your messages. If you have this ability... USE IT!
For all you know, everyone on the planet (ok, maybe not) is angry with you about your post... you have to be there to defend yourself (or at least know to run and hide before they catch ya!). Or maybe people are saying nice things about you... it would mean a lot to them if you replied with a nice Thank You :o) If people are gettin' mad, change your ways before it's too late!!!
5. Http your www
A common mistake I see is for a marketer to include their site's address within the message in the following format: www.theirsite.com Bad Bad Bad!!! When including your link in any post or email, always put an "http://" in front of the www. In almost every case, this will cause your link to be displayed as "active" (in other words, it can be clicked on). http://www.theirsite.com is correct! Your click-through will be many many times greater if your link is active. Also, (believe it or not!) I have seen people type up beautiful ads and forget to include their site's url... Do not do this!
Gee that's great, but how do i get access to newsgroups?
The fastest way to go is to access a "news server" through your ISP. Most providers of Internet access have this feature (if you are not sure, call your ISP). You may use the newsreader that is built into your browser, or download a specialized one from somewhere such as Download.com
For those that do not, there are still solutions:
DejaNews- free form-based newsgroup service, allows up to 4 crossposts, a tad slow/bulky.
Remarq- free form-based newsgroup service, allows only one post at a time, much faster/easier to use
These sites also have more full featured versions of their services available for a price.
And now...
Remember to always be "clever and careful" while posting, and you will see great results throughout your "posting career"!
