Any innovative ways to attract traffic?

[Saija Mahon]

Hi all!

Sorry about the vague title - I'm pretty new here and haven't been posting much yet.. hopefully I won't ask too stupid questions!

Anyhow - strange coming from a PPC specialist, but how to get traffic??
Basically, I have a friend/client who wants traffic to their website(s), but are not willing to pay for it...

I've suggested PPC (well, that's out the question), optimising the sites for SEO (onsite, offsite), I've kind of touched on affiliates, emailing and even social media like twitter and facebook.. blogging and forums.

Is there anything else I have not thought of?

They mentioned they want to reach certain competitors audiences .. but how to get them there without putting much investment in?

I'm not sure what to suggest more than above..
Have I missed a trick or does everyone just want 'free' traffic

Thanks you all lovely people,
Saija

 

[Jameschillman]

Content! Have content that people want to read and then people will read the site and share it.

Exposing the website will be key, Getting people aware of the website without paying is going to be down to relevant forum postings etc.

If there willing to invest a small amount how about some form of competition to raise awareness?

 

[Annoying Donkey]

Best way to attract traffic is to find a goo-roo (or two) in the same topic and get him/her to talk about your site. His traffic becomes your traffic, especially if there's something compelling on your site that can create a buzz. You might have to woo him before he'll consider your site, so start by a genuine complement and build a relationship first.

 

[PIngels]

Hi all!

Basically, I have a friend/client who wants traffic to their website(s), but are not willing to pay for it...

What does your friend's website promote, sell, service or advice on? To come up with 'innovative' suggestions it helps to know what to be innovative about.

 

[SEO Lady]

but are not willing to pay for it...

Why are you asking the question, your friend should be doing the work - why are you doing it for free when you could be earning money with paying clients?

Tell him to sling his hook and research it himeself, what a cheek.

 

[Esk247]

Why are you asking the question, your friend should be doing the work - why are you doing it for free when you could be earning money with paying clients?

Tell him to sling his hook and research it himeself, what a cheek.

Agreed. Pay peanuts, get monkeys. Pay nothing..get nothing.

 

[Rags]

I too don't mind doing things for free for people I like

If it was my friend I'd get him to look into doing joint ventures - spend his time looking, not for customers/clients, but look for 'centres of influence' - people who already have clients in your friend's target market. (and who are not competing)

For example a new photographer could look for florists (aiming for wedding gigs), a new aromatherapist could look for yoga teachers.

Then an arrangement can be negotiated between the 2 parties (financial or otherwise).

 

[FrankCott]

Sorry to butt in cos I'm learning SEO so I would like to know something,

Content! Have content that people want to read and then people will read the site and share it.

Exposing the website will be key, Getting people aware of the website without paying is going to be down to relevant forum postings etc.

If there willing to invest a small amount how about some form of competition to raise awareness?

Should the content relevant to the business? And how to get the awareness of people through the blogs and forums? Because I dont want to spam everywhere, and then it ruined the reputation tho.

Best way to attract traffic is to find a goo-roo (or two) in the same topic and get him/her to talk about your site. His traffic becomes your traffic, especially if there's something compelling on your site that can create a buzz. You might have to woo him before he'll consider your site, so start by a genuine complement and build a relationship first.

How can I find these people at first, and then what could I do to get them write about my company, because obviously they doing that for their own good, so I cant think of anything so that they can share their good with me.

Agreed. Pay peanuts, get monkeys. Pay nothing..get nothing.

Should we back to the question ''how to do it?''

 

[sigurog]

I think the basics can work well in terms of producing good quality news content and then getting them into social bookmarking sites. One that I think does particularly well is Stumble Upon - this seems to get the most click throughs I find even for content that is not particularly superb.

 

[FrankCott]

I think the basics can work well in terms of producing good quality news content and then getting them into social bookmarking sites. One that I think does particularly well is Stumble Upon - this seems to get the most click throughs I find even for content that is not particularly superb.

Well, this will draw more traffic to the website but what about SEO? Would there be a good way to have both SEO and traffic?

 

[victorm]

you did not mention offline campaigns. all this SEM/SEO/SM cr*p makes people forget about the good old local newspaper, barber shop or paper boys.

 

[Saija Mahon]

Thank you so much for all your replies - there have been some really good points! I highly appreciate them

I think I've got few learnings to back to my friend / client now.

He has quite a few businesses, some that might be better promoted online, some perhaps actually offline.

Thanks again,
Saija

 

[The Boy Holty]

I have recently built my friend a website and am trying to increase traffic to his site.

Aswell as the development tasks I can do (which are well covered elsewhere on the site), I have made him a Facebook page (and you could extend this to Twitter, Reddit etc) and I encourage him to join groups and take part in discussions on FB - all of which put his company name and logo about.

I also tell him to go on websites like this one - to join in on online discussions and to have his website address in his signature.

By looking at Google analytics I can see where the hits on his site are coming from and can advise him of what seems to be working.

Its simple stuff but takes effort. He needs to put aside time each day or week for doing these activities and the results are showing that its well worth doing.

 

[Annoying Donkey]

How can I find these people at first

You should already know the 'names' in your industry, but if you don't look at those who get frequent mention in relation to your industry. Search on obvious keywords and note any names that come up who also have their own sites. Also key speakers at trade shows and conferences.

If I think of salesmen, then perhaps Zig Ziglar or Brian Tracy, making money online maybe Frank Kern, personal development Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn. Who stands out in your industry?

and then what could I do to get them write about my company

That's why a said you need to woo them. If you walk up to a young lady and say 'I like to sleep with you' you're more than likely get your face slapped. If you do this every day, you'll get more face slaps and perhaps a visit from the Police for harassment/stalking

If instead you show interest in her, invite her out and spend time, then just maybe you'll get lucky...

So, you look at something they've published recently and write to them with an opinion on it - best be complimentary, at least to start with or if you wish to argue ensure it's absolutely clear you are arguing against their commentary, not against them. Safest to stick to compliments!

End your message with an open question to encourage them to talk. Don't expect them to respond unless your comment is relevant and intellegent. Include your site address in your signature, it may be possible they will answer on their site with a link back to you as the person who asked the question. Once you start getting responses, you might then point them to specific quality articles on your site 'that may be of interest to their readership', but don't explicitly ask for a link. Maybe once a relationship is developed you might offer a well written article as a guest author on their site.

If you get the opportunity to meet them personally, perhaps at industry trade shows or conferences, use a similar strategy - I read your (great, awesome) article on x and I'd like to ask you... Ensure they walk away with your card.

Like the young lady, it takes a bit of time and effort to get to where you want to be, but it's usually worth it...

 

[FrankCott]

You should already know the 'names' in your industry, but if you don't look at those who get frequent mention in relation to your industry. Search on obvious keywords and note any names that come up who also have their own sites. Also key speakers at trade shows and conferences.

If I think of salesmen, then perhaps Zig Ziglar or Brian Tracy, making money online maybe Frank Kern, personal development Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn. Who stands out in your industry?

That's why a said you need to woo them. If you walk up to a young lady and say 'I like to sleep with you' you're more than likely get your face slapped. If you do this every day, you'll get more face slaps and perhaps a visit from the Police for harassment/stalking

If instead you show interest in her, invite her out and spend time, then just maybe you'll get lucky...

So, you look at something they've published recently and write to them with an opinion on it - best be complimentary, at least to start with or if you wish to argue ensure it's absolutely clear you are arguing against their commentary, not against them. Safest to stick to compliments!

End your message with an open question to encourage them to talk. Don't expect them to respond unless your comment is relevant and intellegent. Include your site address in your signature, it may be possible they will answer on their site with a link back to you as the person who asked the question. Once you start getting responses, you might then point them to specific quality articles on your site 'that may be of interest to their readership', but don't explicitly ask for a link. Maybe once a relationship is developed you might offer a well written article as a guest author on their site.

If you get the opportunity to meet them personally, perhaps at industry trade shows or conferences, use a similar strategy - I read your (great, awesome) article on x and I'd like to ask you... Ensure they walk away with your card.

Like the young lady, it takes a bit of time and effort to get to where you want to be, but it's usually worth it...

Great, thanks. I've found some bloggers in my industry. So now my first step is going around their article and if possible, I can give a comment right?
This seems taking time to get to the results, normally how long would it take to get the 1st response?

 

[sarasorrento]

Let me just state the obvious first step.....

Tell your friend to make sure he has value/features/benefits in the product that the customer will appreciate. That is the first step that some people miss.

Sara

 

[Annoying Donkey]

Great, thanks. I've found some bloggers in my industry. So now my first step is going around their article and if possible, I can give a comment right?
This seems taking time to get to the results, normally how long would it take to get the 1st response?

Yes, commenting is a start, though I tend to prefer more direct contact. Email exchange is a little more personal. Telephone even more personal and then face to face even better still.

Impossible to say how long for a response. depends on how interesting your email is to the recipient and if you can push a button and get him/her excited about something. Bit like any human interaction.

 

[theaffiliate]

Haven't bothered to read the replies to this thread.

But... I doubt you'll receive any tips on where to get FREE traffic from except for perhaps some basic SEO knowledge. Everything else you need to innovate, test and test again for yourself.

 

[john1010]

I want to share with you this good resource:

vuthang.org/
vuthang.org/?s=facebook

 

[marcroy]

How about viral videos on Youtube? Of course, it would depend on your niche, but if you can come up with something that can attract a few thousand views, that's a lot of potential traffic.

 

[WorldofBooks]

http: //imgur.com/qHS39

 

[Galmac618]

Post a question relating to the website in Yahoo Answers, answer it from another account with the target website URL, then close the question to further answers.

Making a youtube video and linking back to your website is also supposed to be helpful