Internet Marketing Tycoon

**houseofpaign** · 07-01-2006, 01:53 AM

So here's my thought. I have a free classified ads website targeted to a college town http://www.houseofpaign.com/.

I am thinking about ways to advertise (outside of the internet) my site that are highly effective and cheap. Here's what I've come up with so far:

1. Writing your URL with chalk directly onto the busiest college sidewalks.
2. creating a single-page Xerox-copied flyer in black&white that has a single tagline and the URL for the site. BUT keep it interesting and vague. this will entice people to logon.

Does anyone else out there want to share a "viral" marketing idea like these?

Our collective minds could make an interesting list of free & cheap website advertising!

**astrojith** · 07-01-2006, 08:28 AM

Giving people a chance to express opinions is a great way. So... send letters to people to visit your site and giv their opinion.

**houseofpaign** · 07-01-2006, 01:26 PM

Astro, I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Are you saying that I could "invite" people to visit the site and voice their opinion on it?

Should I have a rating system or a poll? Is there a non-tacky way to have a poll on the website?

**kangarooelaine** · 12:12 PM

The most effective viral marketing is honest and real. If people like what you have on the site, they will spread the news themselves. So, focus on content.

You site is unique (well, not anymore) in that it depends entirely on the users to develop good content. How about some way to integrate other classified ads? You want yours to be the one-stop shop. So what about checking out other classified services and seeing how you can get their users to post to your site as well.

Who reads classifieds? Buyers and sellers. So, take out a few classified ads yourself on those other classified pages.

<edit> use the sig option in your control panel</edit>
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**houseofpaign** · 07-16-2006, 12:53 PM

advertise on other classifeds. that's not a bad idea.

**Harvey** · 07-16-2006, 02:00 PM

First, make sure it's populated (even if it means adding easily removable fake ads).

Second, advertise in respected papers and classified sites/papers.

Ah, sorry that's not a viral method - but it's probably the best way to get going.

**amedno1** · 07-16-2006, 02:19 PM

Create business cards and make people "WANT" to visit your site...you think up of the reason.

Also target the online community if you can get an ebook together on "How to advrtise for maximu results" Spread it around for free believe me this method is amazing

**Harvey** · 07-16-2006, 02:52 PM

Amedno1 - the last method you mentioned would only appeal to those wishing to advertise their own sites, and wouldn't really help with advertising to the local audience...

**jdavey** · 07-16-2006, 11:28 PM

I personally believe "word of mouth" advertising is the best. If your website has lots of good sticky content then people will start talking about your website. You can always help people along by offering your visitors a "tell a friend" service where they can easily reccomend your site to their friends by filling in a form.

Another great "Viral" way is to use a free ebook. Find an Ebook that you can "re-brand" with your website links and offer this Ebook on your website as a free download! Not only will the Ebook attract new visitors (as everyonoe loves a freebie) but it should create a good viral stream of traffic. If you don't have an Ebook that you can rebrand PM me and I will happily send you one for free.

**stOx** · 07-16-2006, 11:31 PM

If you can get 5% of your visitors to tell one of thier friends you will be a huge success within 6 months. There is no marketing , advertising or CPC that can beat word of mouth.