Publicity for my Site

[superdot]

Hi everyone.
I'm considering splashing out on some publicity for my site (educational posters) but am not quite sure what to plump for. I definitely want something online, as opposed to a magazine or newspaper, and was wondering what experiences any of you have had of paid-for advertising. What kind of results did you get and was it worth the investment?

I'm particularly interested in any feedback on Google Ad Sense/Words but any advice would be great!
Thanks.

[Chell]

Have you added your items to Google base since it is free?

[mcarp555]

Adwords can certainly drive some traffic to your site, but ROI can be killer. How many clicks are you willing to pay for to make a single sale? I'm currently using it sparingly, experimenting with the right blend of keywords and ad copy.

Have you exhausted the typical ways to get free online publicity? Reciprocal links, publishing articles, SEO of your site, etc etc? Even something as simple as including a link to your site in your sig here (as Chell and I have done). If not, focus on things like that before laying out any cash.

[superdot]

Hi there. Thanks for your replies, I will certainly try Google Base Chell.

I wasn't sure whether we could add our sites as a signature. I can't actually see a way of doing it from 'My Profile' area, only typing it manually after every post I make. I'll have another look in case I've missed something though! Thanks once again.

[Chell]

I think you may need to make a few more posts before you can add your sig but I could be wrong.

There are quite a few forums where you can post weekly about offers in their WAH forum aswell as having your link in your sig on those. I just googled parenting/Deaf forums for that. You may want to try teaching type forums also. Get chatting on those forums and your link in your sig will be clicked.

Have you tried to link swap with other relevant sites? I would happily swap links with you.

My site is under two months old so I am having to try all the freebie methods of promoting it as I'm not appearing high on Google.

Have you ebayed your items? Fees are high but others have said it is a good way to link to your store. I sell some bits on Amazon and enclose a business card in the hope that they will come back for more.

Vistaprint is very cheap for business cards, I got some of these and I am leaving them where I can.

[feistygal]

If you're thinking of paying for publicity then you will get a far greater ROI from using a PR or marketing agency than you will from doing paid online advertising.

If they're a good agency they should be able to get your press releases in several relevant publications and get your radio and magazine interviews too. Even with an online business it's important to think about off-line PR. Not all your customers will come across any online advertising you will do so you have to find a way to reach them as well and that's where PR comes in very handy.

Claire

[sadierhianne]

I have just been reading about pay per click fraud - i know someone who spent £200 on PPC and didn't make any sales from it - she sells fantastic stuff.

I know that i have dealt with my advertsising very badly and it's mainly been a confidence issue - i have gone for a paid advert on a spur of the moment decision which, i am now regretting badly. Saying that it could work out really well for me and be worth it. I will have a quater page ad in a green magazine and an online ad in two sections. I suppose that i had to give it a try - she says sweating - if all the other big companies ( who can afford it) are advertising in the same place, they must feel that it's worth it - and my way of thinking was, if the big well known companies are advertsising in this place and people are aware of them anyway then people might just want to take a look at lille old me.

I am now being bombarded with projects and companies who want me to advertise with them - i suppose that they just want my money as it's their business too and it get s really tempting when you are desperate for work to fork out the money in the hopes that you will be noticed. Although some are genuinely attempting to promote green issues rather than just making their money - i have to be all for that.

Tis hard.

I have to give it a try and learn from the experience. I think that i could have thought about it better really - it does seem like a huge risk.

[Tanya]

I wasn't sure whether we could add our sites as a signature. I can't actually see a way of doing it from 'My Profile' area, only typing it manually after every post I make. I'll have another look in case I've missed something though! Thanks once again.

you need a minimum of 10 posts

this will help (http://www.mumszone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=5688)

[Netty]

Thanks, Tanya - was just going to say that and add the link!

[Tanya]

Thanks, Tanya - was just going to say that and add the link!

:happy72:

[superdot]

Thanks all! Such great advice. I was really hoping not to have to pay for advertising and, after all your tips, I think I'll carry on with the freebie publicity for a while. I intend to spend most of this weekend working on it - wish me luck!