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David Dornblaser
Posts: 38
Joined: 10/31/2002
From: Chicago-area
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Website Promotion Alternatives - 3/29/2003 20:19:58
My apologies if this not the right section for this question. Does anyone have a good recommendation for an advertising vehicle? I have been using adwords-Google and have mixed feelings. I have been happier with Sprinks - and their placement on iVillage.
My site is a backyard nature/garden decor site and attracts mainly female visitors/customers. Budget is a concern and I am looking for advertising vehicles that may be a good fit for the site. And, I do not want the advertising to detract from the site.
Any experiences or advice out there that might be applicable to my site?
Thanks in advance,
David Dornblaser
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David Dornblaser
Posts: 38
Joined: 10/31/2002
From: Chicago-area
Status: offline
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RE: Website Promotion Alternatives - 4/1/2003 18:02:56
Barry,
Thanks for the reply. I don' t think a sample site would suit my needs but I have considered the in-cert idea. In fact, outside of adwords/google, about/ivillage the next phase of my advertising will probably be off-line to drive the on-line.
Thanks,
David
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Richard Dudley
Posts: 668
Joined: 8/22/2002
From: Butler, PA
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RE: Website Promotion Alternatives - 4/2/2003 13:40:42
This is an excellent time of year to begin, as the birds are returning to much of the country.
If you want to entice purchasers with a free giveway, I' d get one nice pair of binoculars and a very nice edition of a bird watching book. I know a lot of people who set up birdfeeders around their yard, then sit in a favorite chair and while away the day. Some even keep track and try to entice the elusive ones. Total cost is a couple hundred bucks. Up to you if you want to open the contest to anyone, or just anyone who buys something.
I would focus on anything Audobon society I could. See if you can get your contest mentioned in their magazine, and check their ad rates.
I would also start trying to find birdwatcher clubs in various parts of the country. Tell them about your products, and about your contest, and see if they' ll mention you in their newsletter. Some will. Some will tell you to fo climb a tree. Take it in stride, and nurture the contacts with the ones who are positive toward you. You may need to spend a few sponsorship dollars, but these newsletters are highly targeted, and the communities are usually close. if you get any orders, and provide excellent service, word will spread. Remember--birders organize all sorts of group outings, and word of mouth is your best ad.
Find on-line birdwatcher forums, and check out their policies for posting promotional ads. Some places don' t mind hearing about a contest, but if you cross the group, you' ll harm yourself in their eyes. Join in the discussion groups if you genuinely have something to contribute, and make sure you put a signature there like you did below. Forums are some of the best interaction you can have.
I would avoid at all costs any sort of banner exchange, pop-ups cirecles, etc. You will look cheap and sleazy to your audience.
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mgpdirect
Posts: 10
From: Clarksville MD 21029
Status: offline
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RE: Website Promotion Alternatives - 4/2/2003 13:47:20
You have a lovely site but the cheapest, most effective investment you can make right now is to optimize your site to be found by the search engines.
Sprinks, GoogleAdWords, and Overture are a great adjunct but you still want to have a major presence in the regular search vehicles and directories.
If nothing else, beef up your title, description, and content meta tags with the primary key search terms folks might use to find you. You' ll be astounded at the increase of traffic you' ll see.
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pstevens
Posts: 31
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Blind Bay B.C. Canada
Status: offline
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RE: Website Promotion Alternatives - 4/2/2003 17:47:38
Hello!
I thought meta tags were out of style? Didn' t I just read an article posted in one of the forums or in tutoring, that meta tags were a big waste of time. It would help to know that since I am in the process of optimizing sites for better search results.
Grant
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garry
Posts: 858
From: Northern Territory Outback Australia
Status: offline
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RE: Website Promotion Alternatives - 4/3/2003 7:46:43
Hi Grant
In some of the CURRENT major search engines they are " out of style" , but who is to say they will be on top next year, or do an about face on Meta tag usage and use them more in the algorithm??
Your most important tag is the TITLE tag.....use it well grasshopper.
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sas734
Posts: 4
Joined: 7/23/2002
Status: offline
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RE: Website Promotion Alternatives - 4/4/2003 23:24:44
nice site check out paid inclusion at inktomi once its indexed there the other search engines pick it up
I' ve seen it work
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David Dornblaser
Posts: 38
Joined: 10/31/2002
From: Chicago-area
Status: offline
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RE: Website Promotion Alternatives - 4/10/2003 9:06:06
Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it.
David Dornblaser
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Printable Version 
The problem was it took me 5 months to get the samples out to folks. But the great news is I had a 25% purchase follow-thru.