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NEWSPAPERS, WEBSITES & YOU...
You've heard about the Internet, how
fast it's growing, all the money-making opportunities ... and you thought
... Wow, I must get my share!
So you phoned your service provider, got connected,
spent quite a bit of time and money on creating your own website and now
you're ready to make money, right? ... NOT QUITE!
A new website can in many ways be compared to your
local newspaper. Once the newspaper becomes known within the community as
a good source of information the demand grows rapidly! That's when you
start selling thousands of newspapers.
Let's
focus on 3 important reasons why newspapers sell;
Distribution
Newspapers are everywhere ... it
is part of your everyday life. When you wake up in the morning it is there
on your doorstep. When you stop at a street corner while driving home from
work it is pushed against your windscreen. Even when you walk into your
local supermarket, it is right there next to the counter - right there
where you can see it ... and buy it!
Headlines
Only a few words, but always extremely
powerful. The headlines shock, entice, grab your attention ...They are
very often the sole reason why people put their hands in their pockets
and pull out the money.
Good Content
Not the reason why people buy it
the first time, but the best way to make sure they buy it the next time.
When people see that they receive value for money, they subscribe and that
is how the paper grows.
NOW HOW DO THESE APPLY TO A WEBSITE
?...
Your ultimate goal should be to
create demand for your website. The demand is not there automatically,
e.g. if people do not know about your website, how could there be demand?
You must make sure that your site is properly "distributed".
"DISTRIBUTE" your website!
Your website must be there, it
must be visible on the search engines, on other websites, on banners, and
in newsgroups. It must be easily accessible. To achieve this high visibility
(good distribution) you could do the following;
- Make sure your site achieves top ranking
with the search engines. Your website must be optimized with meta tags,
page title, page description, and keywords within the body of the page.
(More info about optimizing your site can be found in "Expert Advice" section
of the Ezine factory: www.ezinefactory.co.za)
- Get media coverage by submitting press
releases - if your site is newsworthy, you'll get this for free!
- Participate in newsgroups and discussion
forums with referral to your website. Make a positive contribution to the
news group and do not advertise your site blatantly. If you add value to
a news group people will know that you have something of value to offer
and they will seek out your website!
Talk with your page's HEADLINES
The headlines are the first words
that your clients see when they access your website. Within the first few
seconds they decide whether or not they're interested in looking further.
- Give them a glimpse of what's to come
- Stimulate their interest
- Grab their attention and LURE THEM
IN!
Your headlines should satisfactorily
answer the main question every web surfer asks themselves when entering
a new website ... WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?
(For more expert advice on writing
"killer" headlines visit the Ezine Factory http://www.ezinefactory.co.za)
GOOD CONTENT
Nobody wants to waste time on the
Internet ... it costs money! Give them something of value and make sure
they come back!
If you need help in creating
a successful website, get a professional on your side!
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