One of the most effective ways and low-cost ways to receive publicity for your website is to establish a relationship with the media.  Get to know your local news people (both online and offline!).  Find niche sites that cater to your target market and make yourself available to them as a resource for expert help (quotes, articles, etc.).  And get a media room setup on your website with press releases to share any big news about your business. Your business is more newsworthy than you probably realize!

Having a story published about you, being quoted as an expert source, or being referenced in an article, magazine or book is like a free endorsement of you, your website and your product.

Think about it.  We’re constantly bombarded with advertisements and promotions.  Do you believe everything you see on TV?  No, neither do my kids (it’s pretty interesting to hear my boys critique advertisements and their two cents on whether something would deliver on what’s shown in the ad).

That’s what our potential clients and buyers are thinking when they see our advertising and pitches — does it really work?  Sure, we can work on copywriting, improve our trust factor, and all that’s great, but there’s still that skepticism with paid advertising. [Read more...]