£0k Budgt + Loads of Time - How to spend it?

[Excel Dragon]

I have a £0k marketing budget but loads of time and enthusiasm?

How would you spend it to improve your online marketing?

[cjd]

Write articles and try to get them published, increase your web site content, write PR stories for local papers, learn SEO and sort out your key words, register with free online directories, experiment with Twitter and Facebook.

[Excel Dragon]

Thanks CJD

Already working on a few of those (keywords, seo, twitter, content etc)

Not gone down the PR stories root yet, so I will get my thinking cap on.

Cant say I have had much look with free directories - not had a bad response from the like of Gumtree though

[directmarketingadvice]

I have a £0k marketing budget but loads of time and enthusiasm?

How would you spend it to improve your online marketing?

I'd get a job, earn some money and spend it on marketing.

However, that assumes I'd really have £0. It's pretty hard to believe anyone really has no money.*

Steve

* unless they're homeless

[Nixies]

A £0 budget makes it quiet hard even £100 makes it easier. Gumtree is a good one, Vivastreet has very similar traffic.

Have you tried registering with rentacoder, their is a lot of work on their but the compertition from other countries is very strong.

Networking events have converted for me very well in the past, the goverment runs a few so do places link business link.

Personal a trick I usered was to take a programme like feedreader, then put the RSS feeds of all the places people would look for freelancer forums, gumtree so on and then create filters so you only see the recent ones and then you can follow them all up in one place wihtout havin to sort through hundereds places.

Hope this helps.

[Excel Dragon]

I think I didnt explain myself well and the £0k budget is throwing people off what I am after.

What I am trying to find out is what I can do with just my spare time and enthusiasm to add to my already planned marketing. i.e. without spending more cash but making use of my spare time.

Nixies - I took a look at the Rentacoder type solutions, but as you said the competition is way over the top - Looking at some of the bids on there I would end up working for about £1p/hr! The networking idea is great - I have already had a bit of a google and that looks like something I can run with.

I like the sound of the feedreader as well - I am already trying something similar on Twitter

[OldWelshGuy]

You need to tell us the whole picture, as some have wasted time replying to you without knowing that you are already doing stuff.

What i would suggest is that you lay out what you already have planned, then we can advise you how to spend your time complimenting those paid efforts :)

[david64]

If you want to rank in search engines, letting up know what keywords you want to rank for would be useful.

[directmarketingadvice]

I think I didnt explain myself well and the £0k budget is throwing people off what I am after.

What I am trying to find out is what I can do with just my spare time and enthusiasm to add to my already planned marketing. i.e. without spending more cash but making use of my spare time.

That changes the picture completely.

IMO, the answer is that you improve what you're already doing and then invest the increased profits in either more paid marketing or hiring a trustworthy SEO.*

Steve

* There's an alternate answer which is to stop any paid marketing that isn't producing a profit and re-route the money to other marketing.

[Excel Dragon]

Fair point OWG – Not the best explanation I have ever made (sorry everyone)

Here is what I have done so far;

I have just spent about 6 weeks working on my keywords and I put up my site based on this about a week ago – I think I am starting to see an increase in traffic already but its hard to say on low figures.

Tweetering is producing a fair bit of traffic but they are not converting well – I think they are just coming to the site for the freebies. So I need to focus that a bit better. Once I have that sorted, I plan to expand into Facebook.

Gumtree has been my most successful plan so far. Although writing adverts for the individual areas is time consuming, this has had an almost 25% conversion rate. Low numbers but converts well.

I am looking at paid advertising but I intend to do a lot of research first. I have read so many horror stories about people tackling this unprepared and as a result AdWords and others turn in to a money pit.

Steve – Thats exactly what I had in mind – Use low cost solutions first and then plough the profits from that back in to paid for advertising. In fact I had in mind to spend 100% of the profits for the 1st year in this way.

So what I am after is more ideas like the Gumtree one. They maybe labour intensive but they work and the cost is minimal.

[Scott-CopyandDesign]

Didn't I make a post in this thread earlier today?...

[david64]

Tweetering is producing a fair bit of traffic but they are not converting well – I think they are just coming to the site for the freebies. So I need to focus that a bit better. Once I have that sorted, I plan to expand into Facebook.

You're not really going to get any conversions from social media traffic (Twit etc.). They are not business marketing avenues. Those sort of sites will only really help you build links and traffic to your site.

If you're looking for similar sites to Gumtree, I believe there is Craig's List in the US. Try Googeling for classified ads and you should find more. I doubt there are many that get traffic though.

[LBtrading]

The best thing is to ramp up what works, as you said gumtree is working and you have the conversion rates so go to rentacoder and instead of looking for work hire someone to post your ads in gumtree,

I know you didnt want to spend much money but you already know this brings results and there are people that post in gumtree and craigslist on a per ad basis.

just go to rentacoder and type gumtree and you will see the going rates.

[QVA - Emma]

Hi Excel Dragon,

You could consider teaming up with VAs to resell your services as it seems to fall into that niche (just from a quick glance at your site.)

The sites SEO still needs a bit of TLC - but I am sure you will get there!

Here is part of an article that I wrote about Marketing for Small Businesses in Tough Times: some of it may be relevant (Didn't want to post a link to self promote :rolleyes:)

Use your e-mail contacts How often have you had an enquiry from someone who has provided all of their details to you and in the end they have gone somewhere else? What did you do with their contact information, did you bin it? Or file it away for future use? FILE IT AND USE IT! As long as you make clear to your customers their details will be stored to receive future e-mails and special offers, this is not a problem, but make sure you are up to date with the data protection act to make sure you are within the law.

The customer that went elsewhere may have had a bad experience and will be looking again in the future, there is every chance they have not kept your details or even remember the name of your company. A gentle e-mail nudge with a “can we help you, don’t forget we are here” can bring in new prospects and even win competitors customers over.

Check out local advertising

Take the plunge – put an ad in your local free paper or circular, even parish magazines look for paying advertisers. It helps them keep ticking over and you are helping to support your local community. Some can be expensive so make sure you negotiate special rates if you plan to make advertising a regular thing with that particular publication. Only take out a small ad and measure the response, don’t waste money advertising with one publication that doesn’t bring in the customers. Benefits of local advertising often means subscribers or potential customers keep the publication back for when they may need a service you offer. Make sure your ad stands out from the rest; include a special offer or a discount for Senior Citizens.

Get recognised in the local press

Done something for charity? Raised money for the local school? Won or been nominated for an award? Send a press release to your local paper or contact your local correspondent. Coverage for small charities is great for raising awareness and much needed funds. You are showing your support to the community and may even be recognised for your gallant efforts at your next big client deal.

Do something unusual

If you really want your business to stand out from the crowd find unusual ways to market your business cheaply. Contact your local council and ask if you can sponsor a roundabout with flowers in return for a sign about your business, strategically placed, not behind a conifer!

Contact local theatres and community centres and ask if there are any productions you can sponsor and contribute to in return for a mention in their programme.

Love sport? Contact local football, hockey, netball, swimming and cricket teams and ask if you can help with any sponsorship for their next big game.

You can make 2009 and the credit crunch work for you if you strive to make a difference to your marketing campaign this year. It doesn’t have to cost you the earth and all the extra effort you put in should be well worth it in the end.

Emma

[Excel Dragon]

Thanks everyone

LBTrading - Loving the rentacoder idea - Top idea

WoW Emma - Loads to work on there - The SEO I am attempting to do myself so its not the best, any pointers would be welcome.

The two things I have lined up are a "campaign" of press releases which I can fit around all the charity work I do, and secondly I was thinking of approaching VA's and virtual offices. As a VA do you have any pointers on the best way to sell my services to a VA?

Thanks again everyone

[QVA - Emma]

Like to keep eveyone busy ;)

I will think about the best way to sell to VAs and get back to you - we're an independant bunch!

I must watch the apprentice first as I suspect that none of the candidates know about the Channel Rail Link being built...:D

[adventurelife]

You're not really going to get any conversions from social media traffic (Twit etc.). They are not business marketing avenues. Those sort of sites will only really help you build links and traffic to your site.

If you're looking for similar sites to Gumtree, I believe there is Craig's List in the US. Try Googeling for classified ads and you should find more. I doubt there are many that get traffic though.

Disagree, in less than 100 tweets or what ever they are called I have signed up 2 major clients 1 is sending us business on a weekly basis

[admagic]

Your presence so far focusses on features not benefits.

You talk about what you can do, not what it does for the customer...
your sig says it all.

if your pages focussed on how excel solves specific problems people are actually searching better than other methods eg spreadsheet accounts for business plans..

(a) - you would find useful phrases to SEO
(b) - your customer is prequalified when he comes to your site.

Set up a blog tackling these phrases one by one, use articles to promote and get SE ranking.

Also....start considering looking at tools, for compilation so you can sell free standing apps as downloads, or put them as excel anywhere on your site with membership access ( membership can do in wordpress for $20)

[Excel Dragon]

adventurelife - I am with you on that, been tweeting for 3 weeks now and already got 2 jobs from it - I guess it depends on if your business suits twittering and what and how you twitter.

AdMagic - Fair comments, although I have researched my keywords and I have all my services listed, reading it back there is not much salesmanship there (so guess what I am doing this weekend LOL)

Downloads is a good option and I am still looking for killer-aps to develop. The reasons people use Excel differs greatly from person to person, so to come up with Aps that lots of people will want and use is more difficult than it sounds. So my thinking is free tips, tricks and tutorials would have more mass appeal, so I am building up a free tips, tricks and tutorials section, to help bring people back to the site.

By the way if anyone has any ideas for Excel downloads I would gladly look in to developing it and giving it away

[eventdomain]

Write articles and try to get them published, increase your web site content, write PR stories for local papers, learn SEO and sort out your key words, register with free online directories, experiment with Twitter and Facebook.


Consequences and Translations:

Write articles = SPAM the web with worthless tips resulting in webmaster traffic with no money & no buyers.

Learn SEO = Spam the search engines who will respond by banning /penalise you.

Register free directories = Spam these and you'll be removed. Downside of this is its a giant waste of time as they get zero traffic.

Can't believe people still do this crap, thinking it will work :rolleyes:

[cjd]

Consequences and Translations:

Write articles = SPAM the web with worthless tips resulting in webmaster traffic with no money & no buyers.

Learn SEO = Spam the search engines who will respond by banning /penalise you.

Register free directories = Spam these and you'll be removed. Downside of this is its a giant waste of time as they get zero traffic.

Can't believe people still do this crap, thinking it will work :rolleyes:

I'm trying not to think too badly about you for this stupidly crass post - but I'm afraid I'm failing

On the writing articles item, I've managed to get articles printed in the Times, the FSB magazine and the industry rag Von mag and placed several others. The FSB article brought in more new customers than anything we've ever done.

You can find some of them here:

http://www.voipfone.co.uk/About_Us.php

You don't think SEO works? Type 'VOIP PBX' into google.

SEO is probably the single most useful thing you can do if you have an online business; with or without a budget.

I think you need to have another think chuck

[eventdomain]

I've managed to get articles printed in the Times, the FSB magazine and the industry rag Von mag


Haven't we all hehe. I wasnt talking about Press Releases, and I think you know that deep down. Was referring to crap webmaster articles, but if you dont make your post clear enough, then expect misinterpretation.

I think you need to have another think chuck

Dont need to - I know more than you.

[cjd]

Dont need to - I know more than you.

yes, that's obvious now. Thanks for the clarification.

[Scott-CopyandDesign]

Haven't we all hehe. I wasnt talking about Press Releases, and I think you know that deep down. Was referring to crap webmaster articles, but if you dont make your post clear enough, then expect misinterpretation.

Misinterpretating peoples posts is entirely your fault. You took 'write articles' and automatically assumed he was talking about 'crap webmaster articles'?



Dont need to - I know more than you.

Do you actually have any websites or success stories you can share with us?

Up to now every other post I've seen from you has been poor advice which is based entirely on your opinion with quite a lot of bias. One good example is 'If you're struggling, then the worse thing to do is pump cash into marketing.' which I'm still baffled about.

I very much doubt you know more than cjd.

[admagic]

Haven't we all hehe. I wasnt talking about Press Releases, and I think you know that deep down. Was referring to crap webmaster articles, but if you dont make your post clear enough, then expect misinterpretation.



Dont need to - I know more than you.


You are still wrong eventdomains.

If article marketing doesnt work for you it is because you are doing it wrong.

The basic process is:

1/You write useful articles, focus carefully on the headlines.
Seven tips. Three mistakes. Review of ...etc etc - they are titles that get picked up.

2/Distribute to hundreds of article directories - preferably using tools such as Unique article wizard that prevent duplicate content and do the distribution in a single click


3/Make sure the BIO box has valuable LSI related anchor text related to the content of the article

4/Bloggers pick up these articles, giving high PR follow backlinks ( which are rare from comments, but common from content)

5/Hence a single article can create a hundred backlinks - a few tens is common

I have several sites which rank #1 whose links came entirely from this process

A useful biproduct is, that some of the bloggers then contact you. And that can lead to content createion for their blogs.

And as for "spamming" you accuse. That is down to you. If what you write is rubbish, then bloggers wont pick it up. Write good articles that have useful knowledge (dont have to br ground breaking), as this post of mine.... and the rest solves itself -

This process, correctly targetted to specific spreadsheet applications would work for the OP

[eventdomain]

Misinterpretating peoples posts is entirely your fault. You took 'write articles' and automatically assumed he was talking about 'crap webmaster articles'?

Ofcourse I assumed - the post didn't say Press Releases - it said 'Articles'
which can mean a few things. Now if the correct word was used, it would be tough to misinterpret. So no - not exactly my fault as I did no more than to answer what was displayed!


Do you actually have any websites or success stories you can share with us?

Yes, why are you lacking in those areas yourself? Why are you questioning and demanding credentials over such basic advice?

So if I don't own a website, I'm some low life right. I don't need your approval okay and don't care if you don't read my posts or listen to me - but just don't judge me based on whether I own a website or not, bcos I'm so much more than a bunch of pixels and coding.


Up to now every other post I've seen from you has been poor advice which is based entirely on your opinion with quite a lot of bias. One good example is 'If you're struggling, then the worse thing to do is pump cash into marketing.' which I'm still baffled about.

So why do you bother engaging with me, after all you've already decided my advice is wrong. If you're really baffled, then that's the time to be listening!

Personally I think you directed your post at me to incite conflict and little else. Maybe you had a bad week, but your post provides little advice, while my posts do, so at least I'm contributing to this forum.


I very much doubt you know more than cjd.

So basically, looks like you won't get whatever you're after doesn't it.

[eventdomain]

You are still wrong eventdomains.

If article marketing doesnt work for you it is because you are doing it wrong.

Ok, so now we've gone from one argument to a new argument for what result - point scoring.... lol

Actually I stopped writing articles bcos the web is so big, they end up getting lost amongst the thousands of other crap article writers all pretending their experts. That's just part of why these useless kiddy articles fail. It has sod all to do with competent writing skills, as article writers aren't professional writers - just self-appointed gurus with one goal - Link Dropping.



The basic process is:

1/You write useful articles, focus carefully on the headlines.
Seven tips. Three mistakes. Review of ...etc etc - they are titles that get picked up.

2/Distribute to hundreds of article directories - preferably using tools such as Unique article wizard that prevent duplicate content and do the distribution in a single click


3/Make sure the BIO box has valuable LSI related anchor text related to the content of the article

4/Bloggers pick up these articles, giving high PR follow backlinks ( which are rare from comments, but common from content)

5/Hence a single article can create a hundred backlinks - a few tens is common

What your doing is suggesting I create articles for link dropping purposes, but the problem is that each article is only worth 1 link - 1 single link expected to stand out amongst thousands of others - all doing exactly the same as me. Yeah, sounds like a real innovative marketing solution doesn't it.... And ofcourse nobody else does this right...

Oh wait, but I forgot those incredible SEO benefits, that nobody else on the web is doing right... Your basic lecture is very insulting and I don't want to hear kiddy tips, bcos they aren't effective on a large enough scale.

I have several sites which rank #1 whose links came entirely from this process

A useful biproduct is, that some of the bloggers then contact you. And that can lead to content createion for their blogs.

I'm not interested.

And as for "spamming" you accuse. That is down to you. If what you write is rubbish, then bloggers wont pick it up. Write good articles that have useful knowledge (dont have to br ground breaking), as this post of mine.... and the rest solves itself -

It's not what is written (although much is garbage and very basic its laughable) that's the main problem - it's the articles are used as a 'tool' to plug weblinks. Articles are knocked out like their on a production line, and its too time consuming to wade through what is accurate/useful and what is trash.

But most articles are for link dropping, which is the same as spamming. The article databases do little to control this, so actually I'm correct in what I say.

But there's far better ways to promote than spending your life writing crap articles that only the desperate & clueless will read. Unless your telling me that's the kind of traffic everyone wants? I think not.

[admagic]

Event domains - I have no interest in your views - and my post was not aimed for you.

It was for the OP - Article marketing works, and is recommended by most of the top internet marketers.

It is an ideal medium for the OP to leverage what he knows
First, of course is keywords analysis - using proper assessment of volume and competition, so your posts target matters that people search for.

[Scott-CopyandDesign]

Ofcourse I assumed - the post didn't say Press Releases - it said 'Articles'
which can mean a few things. Now if the correct word was used, it would be tough to misinterpret. So no - not exactly my fault as I did no more than to answer what was displayed!

You assumed articles means some crappy useless write-up. I don't know about you but it isn't the norm to automatically assume that whenever someone talks about something they're referring to the absolute lowest quality form of it.


Yes, why are you lacking in those areas yourself? Why are you questioning and demanding credentials over such basic advice?

Because you seem to give a lot of advice and have a lot of opinions but I have no idea where they're coming from.

This becomes obvious when the advice you do give could potentially damage other peoples business ventures (like telling an entrepreneur with a failing Salon that they shouldn't put anymore money into marketing, or saying that many effective marketing methods don't work, when they do).

So if I don't own a website, I'm some low life right. I don't need your approval okay and don't care if you don't read my posts or listen to me - but just don't judge me based on whether I own a website or not, bcos I'm so much more than a bunch of pixels and coding.

When you say something wrong and then use the line 'I know more than you' with nothing to back it up when someone disputes what you've said, then credentials are going to come into it I'm afraid.

So why do you bother engaging with me, after all you've already decided my advice is wrong. If you're really baffled, then that's the time to be listening!

Personally I think you directed your post at me to incite conflict and little else. Maybe you had a bad week, but your post provides little advice, while my posts do, so at least I'm contributing to this forum.

I directed this post at you to put you in your place. I enjoy contributing to these forums but I must disagree with you whenever you give business owners on here bad advice and opinions, especially when you're so sure of yourself.

Just because a lot of people utilise a marketing method poorly (it happens in many cases) it doesn't mean that it's generally crap and offers poor performance. The core concept of many of these methods are still the same and still work, you just have to use them effectively.

That's one of the downfalls of many 'entrepreneurs' on the web, they're always looking to find a quick fix and cut corners.

[eventdomain]

Event domains - I have no interest in your views - and my post was not aimed for you.

It was for the OP - Article marketing works, and is recommended by most of the top internet marketers.

It is an ideal medium for the OP to leverage what he knows
First, of course is keywords analysis - using proper assessment of volume and competition, so your posts target matters that people search for.

Event domains - I have no interest in your views - and my post was not aimed for you.

Yeah? So why tell me I'm wrong if you have this lack of interest:

You are still wrong eventdomains

If article marketing doesnt work for you it is because you are doing it wrong.

Strange that you were hell bent on telling me I'm writing bad articles then. So no interest then.....

What's funny is that I don't even write articles and there you are lecturing me about my non-existent articles being wrong lol. Do you know what you are posting, or do you just post for the ego boost.

You're a funny guy :D

[eventdomain]

Scott,

You're making an argument that just complicates matters and helps nobody.

Cjd said:

Write articles and try to get them published, increase your web site content, write PR stories for local papers



now, I noticed that 'Write Articles' & 'Write PR stories' were seperated in the post, so it looks like Cjd meant two completely different things - so you now telling me I read it wrong? I used to host articles in a database, so know exactly what I'm talking about, I don't host them anymore bcos of the spam and junk it creates on the web. (So yes, I DO know what I'm talking about, bcos I've done it.)

But Cjd did use the word 'article' and chances are when writing generally, it will produce a general response and attitude. No way, did I suggest that all articles are worthless, but as a marketing tool, they aren't the best way to stand out, which was my main point.

Because you seem to give a lot of advice and have a lot of opinions but I have no idea where they're coming from.

1. This is a forum, so advice is expected

2. I go to the trouble of explaining everything I write - so there's no misunderstanding. If you can't follow basic english, then its not my problem.


This becomes obvious when the advice you do give could potentially damage other peoples business ventures (like telling an entrepreneur with a failing Salon that they shouldn't put anymore money into marketing, or saying that many effective marketing methods don't work, when they do).

Your accusing me of damaging a salon lol lol. For starters stopping adverts that don't work, actually cuts back on waste. Secondly, I have no authority over what the Salon owner does, so what you suggest about 'damage' is just crazy talk and nonsense.

As far as this 'many effective marketing' talk goes, most of it is very general in nature, placed in or on, untargeted media and thus doesn't have the desired effect or response. How the bloody hell is that misinformation, that advice is in practically any marketing book you'll find.

And its sad that you go through my posts to do nothing but extract tit bits with the clear intent to start conflict and discredit me for your own sad form of satisfaction.


whenever you give business owners on here bad advice and opinions

How can 100% targeting be bad advice, how can cost cutting be bad advice? - you don't know what you're talking about, please stop this kiddy attacking or I'll report you to a moderator!

especially when you're so sure of yourself.

I could just suggest a load of trash ideas and advice and let you follow it, but that would be wrong. Ah ha! so sure of myself, and that's exactly why you went through my posts - omg - that's so sad of you to do that lol.

I directed this post at you to put you in your place

You also wasted your time in a game of one-up-manship and will probably be banned for it.

Just because a lot of people utilise a marketing method poorly (it happens in many cases) it doesn't mean that it's generally crap and offers poor performance. The core concept of many of these methods are still the same and still work, you just have to use them effectively.

Oh so you finally agree, that people do market poorly then. But then you say this poor marketing isn't crap?.... Huh? Make up your mind, either these cheap methods are great or crap. BUT the golden rule is that if something produces low results, then rest assured it's not good enough. There's nothing wrong with saying something doesn't work, just don't confuse it with poster's ego..

You also failed to mention these amazing methods, so it's tough for me to know what your talking about. Be specific, you are talking on a forum, not face to face and not everyone knows what you mean, so explain it.


That's one of the downfalls of many 'entrepreneurs' on the web, they're always looking to find a quick fix and cut corners.

Now that was one of the most sensible things I've seen from you so far.

[Scott-CopyandDesign]

Scott,

You're making an argument that just complicates matters and helps nobody.



now, I noticed that 'Write Articles' & 'Write PR stories' were seperated in the post, so it looks like Cjd meant two completely different things - so you now telling me I read it wrong? I used to host articles in a database, so know exactly what I'm talking about, I don't host them anymore bcos of the spam and junk it creates on the web. (So yes, I DO know what I'm talking about, bcos I've done it.)

But Cjd did use the word 'article' and chances are when writing generally, it will produce a general response and attitude. No way, did I suggest that all articles are worthless, but as a marketing tool, they aren't the best way to stand out, which was my main point.




Well you sort of did suggest it really, didn't you:

Consequences and Translations:

Write articles = SPAM the web with worthless tips resulting in webmaster traffic with no money & no buyers.

Learn SEO = Spam the search engines who will respond by banning /penalise you.

Register free directories = Spam these and you'll be removed. Downside of this is its a giant waste of time as they get zero traffic.

Can't believe people still do this crap, thinking it will work :rolleyes:

You said writing articles is spamming the web with worthless tips resulting in low quality traffic.

You said learning SEO is 'spamming the search engines' :| I don't think that's even possible. Learning good SEO won't get you banned or penalised either.

If you used to host articles on a database which 'created spam and junk' then you either wrote poor quality articles or published them in the wrong areas.

I also don't even know what this means:

But Cjd did use the word 'article' and chances are when writing generally, it will produce a general response and attitude.

[SmartaUK]

Hi there,

I'm in a similar situation - I'm trying to do as much marketing for free right now. There is a post on this forum that you may well find helpful:ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=32162

Check it out - it might give you some useful information.

[admagic]

Yeah? So why tell me I'm wrong if you have this lack of interest:





Strange that you were hell bent on telling me I'm writing bad articles then. So no interest then.....

What's funny is that I don't even write articles and there you are lecturing me about my non-existent articles being wrong lol. Do you know what you are posting, or do you just post for the ego boost.

You're a funny guy :D


Eventdomains. Butt out. This thread is here to help the OP.
Your advice is wrong.


Article marketing is something which works, the OP should do, and done right he will get SEO ranking and traffic.

[eventdomain]

Eventdomains. Butt out. This thread is here to help the OP.
Your advice is wrong.


Article marketing is something which works, the OP should do, and done right he will get SEO ranking and traffic.


No I won't, bcos you're low response webmaster advice is misinforming the novices on here.

Your advice may help a little with SEO, but that only works short-term - you will not be able to maintain the SERP positions. Too much constant effort involved you see.

Every website will drop position dramatically - it will happen to everybody. And not by 1 page - try 15 or 20 pages...... For each keyword used!

You know how the keywords in serps pages work? Well, the top keywords work the best (obviously), but thing is - their VERY expensive, so the alternative is to buy lower cost ones. Except, they won't get clicked on as everyone opts for the popular/better keywords. -- So if you optimize less popular keywords, you wont be found much bcos many won't search using them.

Also the very large fact that Google has only 10 spots on the first page of results, with millions of websites/pages all competing for just 10 places, means its impossible to win at this long-term. How can 1 million websites all hold No1 spot - it's impossible!

1. I doubt a million different keywords are being used or exist!

2. Websites outweigh the SERP places/spots available. There aren't enough No1 spots available in the serps.

3. Every website would need so many links to just compete - again a never-ending link battle. And with links tougher than ever to obtain, it's not possible without a viral system in place to automate the link building process.

Something else you need to worry about is that the companies that hold No1 position in the SERPS, think nothing of blowing £20k on SEO a month, and I doubt you or your advice can beat that.

[Scott-CopyandDesign]

No I won't, bcos you're low response webmaster advice is misinforming the novices on here.

Your advice may help a little with SEO, but that only works short-term - you will not be able to maintain the SERP positions. Too much constant effort involved you see.

SEO IS constant effort. You can't just build backlinks, reach a spot then keep it no matter what you do. When done right, article marketing is a good way of keeping good authority backlinks heading towards your site. SEO must be kept up constantly or due to competition and backlinks becoming stale, your SERP position will drop over time.

Every website will drop position dramatically - it will happen to everybody. And not by 1 page - try 15 or 20 pages...... For each keyword used!

Drop position dramatically, why? When? You're generalising way too much. Every website and industry has different sensitivities and movements on the SERPS.

You know how the keywords in serps pages work? Well, the top keywords work the best (obviously), but thing is - their VERY expensive, so the alternative is to buy lower cost ones. Except, they won't get clicked on as everyone opts for the popular/better keywords. -- So if you optimize less popular keywords, you wont be found much bcos many won't search using them.

What do you mean 'work the best'? SEO and Google searches are free, how are they expensive? You can't buy keyword positions on Google unless you use Adwords.

If you are good at SEO you will know that targeting many long-tail keywords is a great way to build traffic. Instead of targeting a very competitive keyword, you target 10 minor keyphrases which are much easier to rank for, but end up bringing in the same amount of traffic.

Also the very large fact that Google has only 10 spots on the first page of results, with millions of websites/pages all competing for just 10 places, means its impossible to win at this long-term. How can 1 million websites all hold No1 spot - it's impossible!

It isn't impossible and millions of websites aren't competing for 10 places in most circumstances. For every single keyword and keyphrase out there it's a totally seperate playing field of SERP positions and competing websites.

Also, just because a website is targeting a keyphrase doesn't mean they are competing in a realistic sense. You may only find that a few businesses are actually putting in consistent effort to rank well. Even if they are, there is no reason that your site can't compete, not everyone has tens of thousands to spend on SEO.

2. Websites outweigh the SERP places/spots available. There aren't enough No1 spots available in the serps.

There's no such thing as more than one no1 spot, hence why it's called number one :| Websites outweigh the SERP places because it's competition and the websites which put in the most effort (and in some cases money) reap the rewards. If someone can't be bothered to do this then they don't benefit from more customers, that's business.

3. Every website would need so many links to just compete - again a never-ending link battle. And with links tougher than ever to obtain, it's not possible without a viral system in place to automate the link building process.

You're generalising again. Some websites need a lot of backlinks and huge SEO campaigns for specific keywords, some don't. I rank on page one for 'marketing agency UK' and I didn't spend a penny on SEO, actually I didn't really put a considerable amount of effort in either.

Business is a never-ending battle. Some things can't be automated and some things require constant effort. Just because it 'never ends' and can't be automated it doesn't mean it's useless. You can compete and still gain many customers from search engines.

Something else you need to worry about is that the companies that hold No1 position in the SERPS, think nothing of blowing £20k on SEO a month, and I doubt you or your advice can beat that.

In the grand scheme of things very few businesses do this. It depends entirely on the competition and the keywords which are being targeted. 'Car insurance', yes - keywords related to Spreadsheet development, I highly doubt it.

[eventdomain]

I rank on page one for I rank on page one for 'marketing agency UK' and I didn't spend a penny on SEO, actually I didn't really put a considerable amount of effort in either.
and I didn't spend a penny on SEO, actually I didn't really put a considerable amount of effort in either.

Yeah, but you have a 3 section/word keyword and that's pretty easy to rank for.

Using adwords and a daily budget of £10, the keyword Marketing will cost you £6 to £10 a day. Clicks are only 3 to 5 per day for that word.

Works out at least £6 for 5 clickthroughs. Thats mad charging.


What do you mean 'work the best'? SEO and Google searches are free, how are they expensive? You can't buy keyword positions on Google unless you use Adwords.

Yup - I meant adwords. If the SERPS are so brilliant right, then how come businesses spend fortunes on PPC. Not trying to win an argument here, but Google & Overture do make their living by ensuring the free serps don't pay off. Thus forcing the buying of paid advertising.

Instead of targeting a very competitive keyword, you target 10 minor keyphrases which are much easier to rank for, but end up bringing in the same amount of traffic.

Sorry but that won't work as well. Minor keywords wont get typed in as much as the highly popular ones and won't do as well. Eg: Cookie business Vs Cookie, I'm betting Cookie business is hardly used/typed at all.


It isn't impossible and millions of websites aren't competing for 10 places in most circumstances.

Ok, the first serps page then :D Point being if you aren't on the first 3 pages on Google, Yahoo & MSN, you might as well just go paid, bcos you aint getting found as many won't bother to search after the first 3 pages. If it was that easy to only use SEO, then Google wouldn't be so rich. It takes far more than SEO keywords, and think you'll find that a ton of paid adverts are involved here.

Someone on this forum said they paid Yell.com £8k in advertising - strange, if that's true, then surely Yells free line entry would produce far more visitors than an £8 grand spend. hmmm, perhaps I don't need to buy advertising then.

Meaning that I could save what I plunge into promotion and just use free entries or SERPS. Must get me the same or better results than all this mega paid adverts. Yes it's that easy - thanks...

[QVA - Emma]

I'm pleased that I can speed read....

Just to clear one thing up gentleman (Presuming sorry if female!) keywords targeted should be conversion related, particularly when starting out. The more competitive terms come later on. Yes this can mean they are lower searched for terms but I am sure any business would rather get 10 visits a month for one longtail that converts than a one or two word phrase that hardly ever converts?

Everyone has there own way of doing things - some techniques work well for some businesses and others work well for other types. What works for everyone is quality links from relevant sites with appropriate and informative anchor text, which can be hard to come by.

But DONT buy anything that says "create 10 million links to your website and see your site rise in Google" this will just see you crash out of the SERPS entirely.

Emma

[Scott-CopyandDesign]

Yeah, but you have a 3 section/word keyword and that's pretty easy to rank for.

Using adwords and a daily budget of £10, the keyword Marketing will cost you £6 to £10 a day. Clicks are only 3 to 5 per day for that word.

Works out at least £6 for 5 clickthroughs. Thats mad charging.

Well not it isn't easy. Sometimes keyphrases are more difficult to rank for than keywords and sometimes, single keywords actually provide the poorest conversion rate. If someone wanted a marketing agency would they search for 'marketing'? No, they'd search for 'marketing agency', hence it is the most competitive term.

'Marketing' is probably quite a poor term to target in general. If someone wants something specific (which will be the type of visitor who converts best) then they won't just search for 'marketing' - it's a very generalised term. It's sort of like someone searching for 'car' if they want to buy a car or 'house' if they want to buy a house, it won't happen.


Yup - I meant adwords. If the SERPS are so brilliant right, then how come businesses spend fortunes on PPC. Not trying to win an argument here, but Google & Overture do make their living by ensuring the free serps don't pay off. Thus forcing the buying of paid advertising.

Because they want short-term results and they don't want to put in the extra money and effort. Once a proper Adwords campaign is set up you'll be able to put £xxx in and receive £xxxx out in profit. With SEO you can pay a large lump sum to rank well and then once the ranking is reached, the costs of staying there are negligible compared to Adwords.

Also, there are different audiences for each format. If you're up there with Adwords you will be competing with the top places in the organic rankings, which I believe more attention is paid to.


Sorry but that won't work as well. Minor keywords wont get typed in as much as the highly popular ones and won't do as well. Eg: Cookie business Vs Cookie, I'm betting Cookie business is hardly used/typed at all.

Oh yes of course you're right. Sort of like searching for 'car insurance' and then searching for 'car insurance rubber duck fudge mittens', clearly all long tail keyphrases will never get searched for.

It will work and it does work. There might not be as many searches but it's MUCH less work and as Emma says, plenty of targeted visitors are better than none at all.

The point is, minor keywords don't get searched for as much so you target multiple minor keyphrases which are easier to rank well for.

Someone on this forum said they paid Yell.com £8k in advertising - strange, if that's true, then surely Yells free line entry would produce far more visitors than an £8 grand spend. hmmm, perhaps I don't need to buy advertising then.

Meaning that I could save what I plunge into promotion and just use free entries or SERPS. Must get me the same or better results than all this mega paid adverts. Yes it's that easy - thanks...

Why would it produce more visitors? Yell isn't Google for a start, that's totally different. If someone put £8,000 into Adwords then they would see a LOT of short-term results and plenty of profit, but then it would run out eventually.

If someone put £8,000 into SEO it would take 6-12 months before they saw any results, but the profit gained from sales via Google would last considerably longer.

That's the difference, and that's what people have to choose. Many people put some into Adwords for immediate customers, and then put the rest into SEO for long-term improvements.

[edmondscommerce]

I think you should start a forum thread with a leading question and hopefully kick off a little scuffle that will keep the thread at the top of the new posts lists...

:-)

also - install wordpress on your site and start blogging about excel. (£0)

do an email campaign (£0)

do some cold calling (£3 per month for unlimited UK landline calls on skype)

[Call Tracker]

contribute to some articles of magazines that are published online. That way you will get a link back to your site and traffic from the readers.

And article writing and blogging is an excellent way to boost your online presence. The only way this would be a waste of time is if the articles were badly written with no reference the the keywords you are promoting.