Remember High School? There were kids that stood out,the popular ones. Someone would speak their name and everyone would say "yea, I've heard about him/her".Popularity was everything. Well, the times may havechanged but the basic concept is the same. Popularityis alive and well on the Internet.So what makes some businesses/people stand out onlinewhile others fade off into the Internet haze?There's a method to this madness and I'm going to explainit to you. Pretend you were a resident in the XYZ community.Now how would you make yourself known as part ofthe neighborhood? Maybe by associating withyour neighbors, participating in community groups,maybe even running for council. You could stayhome and just keep to yourself, but no one willknow who you are or what you stand for. It's thesame online.The Internet may be a different kind of neighborhood,but it's still a community of people, and it functionson the same principals. In order to get your business or name out there, you need to create a buzz. To create that buzz you need toget involved in various online activities. You shouldbe doing some, or all of the following on a weeklybasis to get your name out there amongst the people.1) Post to various web based bulletin boards2) Publish your own Ezine/Newsletter3) Make sure you include a script on yourhomepage that allows visitors to recomend yoursite to their friends with just a click. Referalsfrom friends carry a lot of weight, so you really should be taking advantage of this one.4) Writing short articles and getting thempublished in various newsletters- Take it from me this one works. Nothing will establishyou as an expert or send you as much trafficas getting published. Once people see your name popping up over and over, they justhave to visit your website if just only outof curiosity.5) Network with the "Top Online Players'By hanging out with the successful people you canlearn a lot as well as bask in part of their spotlight. Don't be afraid to ask them to partner with you or run an ad for you endorsing yourproduct or service. You'd be surprised at the numbre of people who will help you online ifyou just ask.So, now you think that creating an online presenceis a lot of hard work? Well, you're right, it is!But with anything in life, you get out of it whatyou put into it. Creating an online identity is one of the most important things you can do for yourself online.Along with an identity comes a sense of trust.When people trust you, they will want to becomeyour customers and buy your products and services.After all, that's why you're online in the first place, isn't it? Now, who are you again.......
Friday, January 25, 2008
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