Using Free Publicity to Build Your Web Site Links and Traffic

Matt Hockin

So, you have a great product or service, yet your web site is not getting the high rankings and traffic you desire from the top search engines like Google and MSN Search.

You're not alone. This scenario is playing out all across the web, yet there is a simple solution to the problem. Publicity. Publicity is the art of gaining exposure for your web site, product, or service with press releases, articles, and other promotional methods.

A consistent publicity campaign can get you links from some of the best web sites on the Net. These links provide your web site with "Link Popularity" and the Google PageRank numbers you need for high search engine ranking and traffic. Plus, the links themselves can bring you a significant about of targeted traffic.

The Top 5 Tips for Getting Publicity (and Links)

Here are a few of my tips for getting publicity and links on the web sites, AND getting news stories and articles in the newspapers, magazines and Internet radio show sites.

1. Be Consistent - Stick With It For The Long-Haul

For maximum results, use public relations as a long-term awareness and link-building campaign. This will allow your messages to be delivered to the appropriate audience and generate visibility, traffic and sales for you.

The biggest mistake I see businesses making with publicity, is they're not consistent at all, only sticking with it for 1, 2, or 3 months. It pays to be consistent is because sometimes you'll send out a press release and get no response back, no publicity, nothing... In fact, this is when most people quit, when they should realize that publicity is a "numbers game" that generates exposure over the long-run if they would just stick with it.

Plus, if you know where to submit your articles and send your press releases, each one that you write can generate 3-20 or more new publicity hits and new links to your web site! So, send something to the media at least every month, if not every week or two. Stay on track by scheduling your articles and news releases on your marketing calendar.

2. Offer Great News Ideas and Quality Articles

To maximize your results, don't send corporate "flack" to the media. "Flack" is blatant advertising disguised as a press release. Instead of wasting the media's time, be their ally by sending them real news and quality articles that help their audience.

Don't think you have enough time or ideas for writing articles and press releases? You probably already have the content for 12 press releases or articles without having to write a bunch of new content.

Where is this "hidden" content that's already written? It's the content on your web site, and in your white papers, and other marketing materials. Simply "repurpose" and edit this content into announcements, articles, press releases, tip sheets, and other publicity materials.

3. Expand Your Publicity Campaign By Building A Media List

In the publicity game, your greatest assets are your contacts. Since you know your ideal customer, you can target the web sites, media, and publications that your customers use to get their news and information. Your media list should consist of the following types of media...

* Industry-specific web sites, and e-newsletters
* Internet blogs, discussion forums and discussion lists
* Article syndicators
* Trade publications
* Newspapers
* Magazines
* Radio & TV shows

4. Distribute Via E-Mail

A 2003 study by the Meta Group revealed that approximately 80% of business people say their e-mail is more valuable than the phone. This applies to media professionals as well, so send your press releases and articles via e-mail. E-mail is f*ree and easy to use, but adhere to these quidelines for e-mail press releases...

* Introduce yourself via e-mail to the media professionals on your list and start building a relationship.

* Use a compelling subject line that is personalized by including their first name.

* Never ever send attachments

* Be sure to format your e-mails in ASCII text file with hard returns at 65 characters.
(Use Microsoft NotePad)

* Following up via the telephone will greatly increase your results, but never ask "did you receive my press release?" (The media hate this question since they get hundreds of press releases a day!)

5. Post Your Articles On Your Web Site And E-Mail Newsletter

Content is King on the Internet, and the search engines love web sites with great niched content. Your articles and news releases are a perfect source of keyword rich text that's tasty "spider food" for the search engine crawlers. So, post your articles and press releases on your web site to increase your search engine traffic.

But don't stop there. Send them to your e-mail newsletter subscriber list, you never know who might be on your list who will love your article and link to it!

CONCLUSION:

As the great P.T. Barnum once said... "Without publicity a terrible thing happens... nothing!" Publicity is a great way to build your web site links, visibility, traffic and sales. Use these tips to maximize your publicity campaign's success.

Promote! Promote! Promote!

About the Author

Matt Hockin is President of Interactive Marketing, Inc., an Internet marketing company that specializes in helping other companies increase sales and leads by maximizing web site search engine visibility and "sales-ability" through the process of Web Site Optimization http://www.interactivemarketinginc.com.

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