| Every business owner knows that the internet | | | | Viddler. You can also embed the video to your |
| has become a necessity in order to maximize the | | | | blog. |
| reach and scope of their business. It is no longer a | | | | - Turn Your Video into an Article. Write a brief |
| question of whether they should or not build a | | | | 300-500 word paragraph including the same |
| website, but they know they MUST leverage the | | | | content you used for your video and blog. Publish |
| internet if they really want to remain competitive | | | | it in free article directories (my favorites are |
| in their field. For those just starting a business, | | | | ArticleBase and EzineArticles). Make sure to |
| however, the prospect of adding the cost of | | | | create a bio for the resource box which sells YOU |
| effective online marketing to their budget can be | | | | as an expert. Include a link to your blog and your |
| a bit daunting. | | | | site within the resource box. |
| Whether you are an internet marketer or a brick | | | | - Blast Your Content Using Social Media. This is the |
| and mortar business owner looking to leverage | | | | last step in the process. Make sure to announce |
| the power of the internet, the fact is that it is | | | | your latest video and/or article post using social |
| not enough to just build a website. Even the best | | | | media sites like Twitter and Facebook. You can |
| SEO maximized websites will require advertising | | | | also direct your followers to your blog using the |
| and marketing in order to drive adequate traffic. | | | | links on your profiles in the social media sites. |
| But, what if you have a marketing budget of | | | | Where's the money? |
| under $500? Can you still have a profitable online | | | | Total cost for the strategies outlined above is |
| marketing campaign? Here is a rundown of what I | | | | actually $0, unless you have a self-hosted blog, in |
| have found to be the BEST tools for online | | | | which case you spent probably about $20 for the |
| marketing on a shoestring. | | | | purchase of the domain name, and the hosting |
| To-Do List | | | | account. Now, that's what I call online marketing |
| - Set-up a Blog. If you have your site already | | | | on a shoestring! |
| established, add a subdomain to it | | | | Now, the truth is that this method, while |
| (blog.yoursite.com) and install WordPress as the | | | | effective, will take a bit longer to build than using |
| blogging platform. If not, there are free blogging | | | | paid advertising. You can help speed things up with |
| platforms you can use. The idea of a blog is to | | | | this method by spending a bit more, though. For |
| use it as a centralized hub to which you will direct | | | | instance, I would recommend spending between |
| all your links and marketing. This way you direct | | | | $150-$200 to have a customized background |
| potential customers to valuable content, not just | | | | created for all my social media sites. I would also |
| a sales pitch. It you have the blog as part of your | | | | invest in a membership to a video blasting service |
| site, it will also help your page ranking as you | | | | (there are several around, and a Google search |
| regularly update and add new content to your | | | | can lead you right to them). |
| blog. | | | | One of the greatest things about the internet is |
| - Create a Video Related to Your Business. Notice | | | | that it has leveraged the playing field for small and |
| I said "related to" not "about" your business. The | | | | large businesses alike. You do not have to break |
| difference? You will not be creating an infomercial | | | | the bank in order to have an effective, strategic |
| or a pitch-fest for your business. If you own a | | | | marketing campaign online. What you DO need is |
| jewelry store, make a video about how to | | | | persistence and determination. You should strive |
| identify quality diamonds. If you own a pro-golf | | | | to complete this entire cycle at least twice a |
| shop, teach the proper way to grip the club. You | | | | week in order to yield results. But, if you are |
| get the idea. Provide REAL value, then add a link | | | | looking for online marketing on a shoestring, it will |
| to your blog at the end of the video. Make sure | | | | most definitely be worth your efforts and time! |
| there's a post in your blog expanding on the | | | | Get to work! |
| content of your video. Post it to YouTube or | | | | |