Internet Marketing

So, you've gotten your web site on the web, and you're ready to take the world by storm. But no one seems to be coming to the gem you've just created. What gives? Well, chances are that you may not be properly marketing your web site. This synopsis is tailor made to models/actors/photographers so many areas that we will cover here will point to that area of interest.

Cyberspace is just as the name says … a whole lot of space. If they know … they will come. The most common mistake with a new Internet venture is that no one knows your web site exist, unless you make some noise of course. So, to begin with let's discuss some free opportunities out here on the web.

As you may already know there are many photo boards, member boards, etc. out here on the net. Let's take a look at one of the most popular of all time. Black Voices is being used by a lot of the Models of Color already. Interesting enough Black Voices averages over 7 million page views per month. The most popular feature of the Black Voices site is its Member Photos. This translates to 7 million opportunities for your face to be seen.

Now, I know a lot of you are saying, I already have my profile posted on Black Voices, and that's great. Now, let's look at how we use this FREE opportunity as a marketing weapon. I've had a chance to view many of the Model Profiles on BV, and some of them lack some of the simplest things, their home page site. This is an absolute no-no. If you take time to post your profile up on BV, or any other board for that matter, it must contain any contact information that may increase your exposure.

Make sure you mention your web site more than one time, get the point across that you want persons to visit your site. Also, try to avoid just putting your URL at the end of the profile without a lead into it. For example, " Full gallery of photos, and other information about me is available at http://www.getting paid.com"

How often are you updating your profile? The landscape on BV changes every few days. Today, you may be at #1 tomorrow you're at #201. You can, however, update your profile every few days to move you back towards the top of the list. Hey, all it takes is a little time and effort on your part. You want to be up at the top with the rest of the big dogs.

Keep in mind that you are adding your profile not as a MEMBER, this is your BUSINESS, and putting your profile on a site is improving your business prospects. Take it seriously.

What kind of picture are you posting on the site? Seems simple enough, right? Put your best photos up on a site, and if you have the ability to update at any time, then rotate a series of pics that will keep your look fresh and appealing. It's common knowledge that people will respond more the sexier or appealing the photo is

Our second areas of focus in Part I, will be message boards. There are millions of Free Message Boards out on the Web for you to take advantage of. Again, this is your business, and we don't just leisurely surf the Web, we surf with a purpose … this is war.

Do you just visit message boards that interest you or that are just based around your area of interest? If so, you are missing out on a gold mine. Try this exercise; try doing a search for radio stations on the web. To narrow your search, try urban or black radio stations. Post your message on their message board area.

As we said before be sure to include any information that will bring traffic to your site and increase your exposure. A little trick I like to use on message boards I call the "Third Person Act". Quite simply, I'll act like I'm someone else, so for example my post may look a little something like this … "Hey I saw this great photography site today, the models were beautiful, and the use of the camera was just terrific. Just though I'd share this information with those that may be looking for a photographer like my self. You can find this site at www.hersite.com." Believe me this works

Be sure to experiment with different areas of focus. One day you may target Cities in your search for message boards, the next day women's health sites, and on and on , be creative with your approach. Make sure you keep track of where you left your message, in case you want to access it later.

The greatest message boards allow you to leave a URL to a photo, web address, and so on. Be sure to know this information, and by all means enter it. Lastly, come up with about 4-5 different messages that you can leave on the message boards you come across. I'll show you a little trick for this in a minute. This way you'll already have what you want to say on the board ready to go, with no thought given.

Creating a Text File

It may be a good idea to start a text file, such as a Word or Word Perfect File just for you Internet info. This file can contain your URL, email addresses, URL's to photos, favorite links, and your 4 or 5 different messages for message boards. Each time you log on you can open this file for easy access, and simply cut and paste anything you may need at any given time. This will save you time and energy.

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