Regardless of how long you have been in business, there should be a clear division in your mind between marketing yourself professionally and spamming. It is essential to make sure you are fully aware of the difference before commencing your online campaign.
- Blog Comments – if you promote yourself by leaving blog comments, make sure that what you write has some genuine value to the blog writer, or do not bother. Inane, one line comments have no worth to anyone and may just as well be spam.
- Forums – when using forums related to your line of business, ensure that you have a viable discussion or topic of conversation. Trying to use industry forums for self-promotion annoys genuine users, will quickly be spotted and can easily have a negative effect on you and your business.
- Email Marketing – do not buy lists for the purpose of email marketing. This is spam in its truest sense and everyone can identify with having an inbox full of unknown rubbish. It is both annoying and unprofessional. The only people you should contact by email are your existing client base and ‘opt-in’ email recipients who have chosen to receive information from you.
- Social Newtorking – keep promotion of your business and or/website to a minimum on social networking sites. A business presence on these sites is always a good thing, as is regularly using them for some form of interaction. However, trying to use ‘social’ media for blatant marketing will be frowned upon and will not help your reputation.
- Outsorcing – above all, avoid outsourcing your marketing to companies who make claims that they will ‘get you known.’ All you may become known for is spamming!
When marketing your business online, using SEO or more traditional methods; do so in a subtle and organised way and on your own terms for the best long term results.
