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Rate these marketing techniques in order from best use of time to worst

by MarketingMama
6 replies
This is not a right or wrong answer, it's just something I would like your opinion on based on your own personal experience.

So I've created a website and I've just started out with marketing it. I've found a whole slew of ways to do that and I'm finding that what I'm doing so far is quite time consuming and maybe not the best use of my time? I dunno.... Maybe I'm just impatient! :rolleyes:

So anyway, here is a list of some of the techniques I am either currently using, or plan on using.

Btw, if you have suggestions on MORE techniques to add to the list, I'd love to hear them! And if you think something is a complete waste of time, tell me why!

So, in no particular order, here goes:

Forum marketing (posting in forums such as this and other forums that are related to my target market)

Twitter

Facebook

StumbleUpon

Squidoo

Blogging

Post with signature on some of the 100 most popular blogs (as listed by technorati)

Instant Buzz

Google Adwords

Craigslist

Ads on places like usfreeads.com and 1stopclassifieds.net

Traffic Exchanges

Article marketing

Press release

OrangeLeads.com

List Building Sites

Yahoo! Answers

Screen Swarm

Call neighbors from phone book and just do a quick intro to them or their answering machine letting them know I launched a new biz and give them my website.
#marketing #order #rate #techniques #time #worst
  • Profile picture of the author weightlossdietslimming
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    • Profile picture of the author MarketingMama
      Originally Posted by weightlossdietslimming View Post

      I'd put article marketing at the top as is lasts the distance, with blogging a close second.
      yeah i was thinking of working on a blog next. i love to write, so that would come naturally for me. and of course if I love to write, then article marketing would be good, too. I just have to learn the best techniques for that. any sites or ebooks you can recommend?
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    I would say your bottom choice belongs on the bottom. Unless your new site happens to be geared very specifically towards the things your neighbors want and need, it will be a waste of time. And that's not to mention the fact that it may be considered telemarketing in your jurisdiction. Additionally, they will most likely see it as nothing more than another sales pitch - and look at you funny or try to avoid you every time they see you coming. Plus, what if they are home and want to chat?

    Heck, IMHO, it doesn't even belong on the list, but that's just my opinion.

    Other than that, to be blunt...who cares? Like you said, we'll all have differing opinions. What really counts is starting somewhere and going for it. Everyone has different talents, and different forms of marketing that they are better at.

    Anyway, the order doesn't matter to me. Some of the things you mentioned I used, some I don't. Just...please...don't do the bottom one!



    All the best,
    Michael
    Signature

    "Ich bin en fuego!"
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    • Profile picture of the author MarketingMama
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      Just...please...don't do the bottom one!



      All the best,
      Michael
      LOL, wow, tell me how you REALLY feel! :p

      Well in my case, it's an MLM business that I'm promoting and I know that's more about "people" than it is about "selling." I want to create a community of people who are enjoying what the company offers while also running the business. If neighbors get in on the opportunity, we could get together occasionally and compare notes and get to know each other and stuff.

      Also, what the company offers is what I think almost everyone would like, which is discounts on stuff that you already buy and need, so you don't have to change your lifestyle to save money.

      I thought people might react more positively to it if i mention that I'm just announcing my new business and to celebrate the launch of my website I'm giving away free certificates for 2 nights of hotel accommodations, whether or not they do anything with me or the company I'm promoting. That way they get something out of me calling. I think most people like to travel, or find a way to do it cheaply...?

      But I hadn't thought of the telemarketing thing... Maybe I need special permission to call people.

      Last point about that technique: my 16 year old daughter needs something to do so I was going to hire HER to do that job so she can get some money, I can get some tax benefits, and we get our name out there. Plus I think most people would be more tolerant of a polite teenager trying to help out her mom...

      Given all that additional info, do you still feel the same way? If so, that's cool, and like you said, I may not be allowed to do it anyway b/c a lot of people are on do-not-call lists and if i don't know who those people are, i might piss some people off! Then again, if they didn't want to be called, they should have taken their name out of the phone book, right??

      Just my thoughts...
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
        Originally Posted by MarketingMama View Post

        LOL, wow, tell me how you REALLY feel! :p

        Well in my case, it's an MLM business that I'm promoting and I know that's more about "people" than it is about "selling." I want to create a community of people who are enjoying what the company offers while also running the business. If neighbors get in on the opportunity, we could get together occasionally and compare notes and get to know each other and stuff.

        Also, what the company offers is what I think almost everyone would like, which is discounts on stuff that you already buy and need, so you don't have to change your lifestyle to save money.

        I thought people might react more positively to it if i mention that I'm just announcing my new business and to celebrate the launch of my website I'm giving away free certificates for 2 nights of hotel accommodations, whether or not they do anything with me or the company I'm promoting. That way they get something out of me calling. I think most people like to travel, or find a way to do it cheaply...?

        But I hadn't thought of the telemarketing thing... Maybe I need special permission to call people.

        Last point about that technique: my 16 year old daughter needs something to do so I was going to hire HER to do that job so she can get some money, I can get some tax benefits, and we get our name out there. Plus I think most people would be more tolerant of a polite teenager trying to help out her mom...

        Given all that additional info, do you still feel the same way? If so, that's cool, and like you said, I may not be allowed to do it anyway b/c a lot of people are on do-not-call lists and if i don't know who those people are, i might piss some people off! Then again, if they didn't want to be called, they should have taken their name out of the phone book, right??

        Just my thoughts...
        Hi Lisa,

        Yes, that info makes a difference. I was involved in MLM for several years, and did quite well at it.

        Cold calling is one of the main marketing methods for a successful MLMer. If you have the right personality it's not too tough. However, I have to tell you how I really feel about MLM.

        I'm against it. It messes people up, gets them into debt, screws up relationships, and a whole lot more. The promises they make are NEVER based on the real world. "Show it to only two friends" or "Put in three hours a week" or whatever.

        In reality, they don't work. The people who make the biggest money in MLM are, invariably, those who sell the support materials (books, tapes, starter kits, meetings, etc.).

        In your case, the savings program sounds good. Who wouldn't want to save money? Well, what do they have to do to save that money? Whatever it is, most poeple won't do it. People's habits are incredibly difficult to change - even when it is beneficial for them to change.

        Okay, now after saying all of that, I hope you will be the exception. Just be careful.

        All the best,
        Michael

        p.s. Yes, because it's MLM calling neighbors (and others on your names list) moves close to the top of the list.
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        • Profile picture of the author MarketingMama
          thanks michael, that was helpful info!

          i'm actually about to start a new thread, partially b/c of what you've written here. i think there may be a completely different mindset for people who want to save money versus people who want to make money. if you see that thread maybe you can comment on that as well!

          i'm starting to think that the focus should definitely be on the product versus the money-making aspect, largely b/c of what you said.

          my thought is that if a person is really motivated to save money and this company can help them do that, they are likely to purchase a membership for that aspect of it. then ultimately they might be in a general conversation with someone and say something like "I'm so glad i have free roadside assistance! i just saved $80 on getting my car towed today!" and the other person would say "that's cool. where do you get your free roadside assistance?" perfect opening for a mention of the company.

          ultimately they might sign 2 people up just from experiences like this. it might take several months or a year or whatever, but at least they weren't spending an arm and a leg on marketing materials, like you mentioned.

          i'm glad i mentioned that it's mlm, since it made you change your mind about the cold calling thing! you seem like a guy who's been around the block a few times. i appreciate your input!
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  • Profile picture of the author MarketingMama
    Originally Posted by cool18 View Post

    Yes, i suggest you one more technique which you can add in your list that is digg.com
    Oh I've heard of that one but forgot about it and never visited the site. I'll have to check it out! thx...
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