Learn From My Mistakes in Advertising

Repeatedly, I warn marketers to slow down and take the time to think out their advertising and marketing plan and repeatedly, I ignore my own advice.

We start out paying attention and in our efforts to get as much as possible done, we lose site of our plan.

Do's and Don'ts in Advertising...

Do: Read an ezine or look over a classified site, etc. to see if they offer the same thing you're getting ready to advertise. If they are repeatedly offering it already, your advertising won't be profitable.

Do: Read a sample issue of an ezine or look over a website to see if it caters to the customer your looking for (Your Target Market).

Do: Read a sample issue of an ezine or look over a website to see if you can spot a way to utilize your advertising there to the fullest extent. I call this reading between the lines. We bypass many avenues just because we're in a hurry and alot of them are FREE.

Do: Rewrite your ad for that particular ezine or website to utilize your advertising there to it's fullest extent.

Do: Check around and even subscribe to make sure the subscribers of an ezine are completely opt-in. While FFA Pages are great for making contacts, there should be no sign that they are automatically added to the subscriber list. I advertised with an ezine recently that does this and I was accused of spam by association.

The FFA Link Page stated they would be added but since many posters are never at the FFA Link Page because of automatic submission, they do not know this. He was cleared and so was I but it could have turned out the opposite. Sometimes you don't get the chance to defend yourself.

Don't: Automation is GREAT for many things but you must do some things one-on-one to succeed. In other words, don't get too big for your britches. :) People still want to be able to contact the person they're doing business with. Treat them as you would want to be treated. There should be a contact email. I can't believe how many sites do not list a way to contact them. If there's no way to ask a question, you could be losing business.

Don't: Promising riches or certain amounts of money is a biggy on the net. Besides the fact that it insults the customer's intelligence, it's actually against gov't regulations. Even if you know it's possible and you have done it, they would have to be committed and let's face it, 90% won't follow through so be careful in what your advertising claims.

Don't: For some reason, the net is like a different world or planet, we lose site of common sense in many instances. Gear your mind to think of your business in a professional manner. Just as if you had a shop on the street. Looking at it this way will keep you grounded.

Don't: Trying to sell in a short ad is near to impossible. Your ads should be geared to get them to want more info by requesting it by email or visiting a website. Both should be offered if possible for higher response rate.

Over the last three years, I have made many mistakes. Most came about just because of thinking that I just don't have the time to pay attention.

Netrepreneur Pledge...

Raise Your Right Hand: I solemnly swear to stop sabotaging my marketing efforts because of the clock. I know that taking the time will produce greater returns on my investments.

Ok, repeat 10 times with me and then let's get to work! I've got a deadline to meet. Oh my, this is harder than I thought. I better repeat my pledge one more time....

Maybe we need a Netrepreneurs Anonymous Association and when we start to backslide, we'll have support.

Naaa! We're not that hooked yet and besides who has the time.

Boy, do I need help?! Sound familiar?

About the Author

:) Angie Boldwyn

Publisher of the Good Stuff Web Review E-Mag
earnandlearn-subscribe@topica.com

and Webmaster of...

Free and Fee Advertising That Works!
http://www.slife.com/

This article provided by the InfoZone Archives at: http://www.MakingProfit.com


boldwyn@accessus.net
http://www.slife.com/