#1) Articles: I write articles with my resource box including my name, brief info about me, and URL tagged on at the end. I submit them to article directories as well as give ezine publishers permission to reprint them. It helps build credibility and name recognition, and readers click on my URL to check out what else I have to offer.

#2) List Building: I publish my weekly ezine, http://journal.marketingchick.com, where I update my readers with fresh marketing news and editorials, as well as introduce my services, and 3rd party products and services that I highly recommend. I encourage my readers to tell their friends and associates about my ezine. I even offer an affiliate program rewarding website owners free ad exposure for every few thousand new subscribers they send my way.

#3) Reports/Ebooks: I have a “5-Day Crash Course” available for free on my website, and contribute to ebooks published by other marketers.

#4) Viral Marketing: I’ve written several reports (only one is marketing related) that I grant others permission to distribute for free, as well as “brand” the included links with their own affiliate information. Offering a branded version of my products motivates others to share my report with their website visitors and newsletter subscribers.

#4) Forums: I participate in a few online discussion forums where I offer free help and advice. It gives others a taste of what I can do for them : )

#5) Signature Lines: I add my name, autoresponder and website address, along with a short blurb at the end of e-mail messages and forum postings.

#5) Testimonials: When I’m blown away by a product or service I’ve purchased, I’ll send the owner a quick note of appreciation, and give them permission to use it as a testimonial on their website and sales copy.

#6) Free Advice: I give visitors the opportunity to submit a free marketing question at http://www.AskCarmen.net, where I choose the most asked questions during that week and answer them in that week’s issue of AimDIRECT Ezine.

#7) Pay Per Click Advertising: I don’t have the patience to learn how to optimize my sites for high search engine rankings, so, I use pay per click. It will cost you a couple of cents for each click, but, if you know how to look for and choose the right key phrases, as well as write short ads that can prequalify your visitors, it’s very powerful!

#8) Joint Ventures: This is one of the quickest ways to make a profit, if done correctly. It’s basically having someone endorse your products in exchange for a cut of the profits. Find people with strong relationships with their clients and subscribers, and “borrow” their audience and credibility. Although that same audience may not buy directly from you because you haven’t yet earned their trust, they’re more likely to take action based on the recommendation of someone they’ve grown to trust.

#9) Offline Marketing: I place classified ads displaying my website address in tabloid and business opportunity magazines, as well as self employment newsletters. Contrary to popular belief, not everybody surfs the web as much as we do! Go to your local library and look at the ads listed in those publications. If you see the same ad issue after issue, it’s a sure sign they’re getting a good return on their investment (ROI) to continue investing their money back into that publication.