So now you have a Web site and you think your job is done, all you have to do now is kick back and watch that counter roll. Well, I've got news for you , you better think again. ''If you build it, they won't necesarily come'', not without constant promotion and marketing efforts on your part. You should set apart a small amount of time a day that is devoted to just doing that.

When I first started on the Net almost three years ago I had no knowledge of how to attract visitors or customers to a site. Well, after much surfing and a lot of cramped fingers, I 've come up with a few ideas that really work. Ezines, or electronic newsletters as some call them are a great tool.

A newsletter is a good way to keep in touch with visitors of your site and it also keeps your site fresh in their minds. When people sign up for your newsletter they do so willingly for the Free information and quality content you will be sending them. This scratches your back as well as your guests, first you have access to your visitors E-Mail addresses, real people who are interested in your products and or services, and it gives your visitors valuable information and a reminder of your existence on the Web. Never sell your E-mail lists and reassure your visitors that you will keep their information private.

If you're wondering how do I start my own mailing list, there are many mailing list services free on the Web just waiting for you to register. I have a list of some of the more popular ones at http://www.merlesworld.com/mailinglists.com With one of these free lists you don't have to know CGI programming to create a list. After you create your newsletter make sure you visit sites where it can be listed like http://www.homeincome.com/search-it/ezine-add.html

Another way to attract traffic is by publishing ads in other newsletters about your site, some can be posted for Free and others charge only a small fee. Your best best is to place ads with newsletters that have a very large subscription base so your name gets out there in front of as many people as possible. You might even offer to trade ads with other E-Zine owners who are trying to generate traffic. I have done this myself and they are usually more than willing to barter services. What? you don't know what to write about? Well, that's not a problem there are many sites on the Net that archive Free Articles for the taking, just make sure you keep the original authors name and byline go to http://www.newsusa.com

Article writing for other people's newsletters, in a subject you are knowledgeable in, is another great way to bring in the crowds. For your contribution other E-Zine owners will give you a byline with a link to your site, they get content, you get a Free plug. Everybody wins.

The best way to find out about places you can post advertising in and authors looking for article writers is to subscribe to many well known E-zines in topics that relate to your site. This will give you the opportunity for advertising your site, and help keep you informed of the latest Internet Happenings and other helpful marketing and promotion sites. To find E-zines that relate to your topic visit http://www.meer.net/~johnl/e-zine-list/keywords/

Another overlooked way to promote your newsletter is to add subscribe information to your E-Mail signatures, very easy, and it packs a punch. Some people spend all of their time trying to get the best placement in search engines, but by exerting your marketing efforts into some of the other Web Promotion ideas, traffic will start rolling in, and that's something you can bank on.

Merle Visit Merle's World http://www.merlesworld.com/ The Best Free Webmaster Resources Sign up for Merle's Mission Newsletter mailto:subscribe@merlesworld.com

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