How much control do you have over your marketed content?
So many people these days are looking to build their business with free marketing tools, such as; article marketing, video marketing, and social media sites.
Here’s the sad part though. If you are using these free marketing methods, you don’t own it.
People every day are getting banned and having their material deleted all at the drop of a hat.
And because you don’t own it, you have very little control. So what can you do?
Take Control of Your Marketing
Don’t get me wrong, these free marketing tools are great. However, are you using them the right way?
When we talk about free marketing, the whole purpose is to drive traffic to your site. And we aren’t talking about your company replicated site either.
Far too many aren’t using these free tools effectively.
There are four things to ensure you are making the best of your free marketing efforts.
1. The content you upload to any of the free marketing sites should follow the AIDA formula.
2. Your approach should be personable and genuine.
3. Address your markets hot buttons. Know what it is they want. (This is where research is key)
4. The call to action within your content should drive them to your blog.
By following these four steps, you take control of your marketing by driving all of the traffic to the site you own.
And, in the event you ever lose your submitted content and get deleted, that part of the process can easily be duplicated.
How are you taking control of your marketing?
Jerome Ratliff
P.S. If you want to take control of your marketing, the free tools you use to market your business should always drive them to your blog. When you drive them to your blog, you have a better chance of keeping them around and visiting again.
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I really liked this post Jerome! A lot of people feel that they own this stuff because it’s their profile and their stuff they’re putting on to it. But it can be taken away. I think the same idea needs to be used in our lists. Not buying leads but generating our own leads.
Thanks!
Erin
Erin Smith´s last [type] ..How To Increase Retention In Your Downline
Thanks Erin.
Great point about leads, it sure does apply to that as well.
Jerome Ratliff
[...] This post was Twitted by Josh_Garcia [...]
Hey Jerome,
The issue is that most folks that get involved with internet marketing don’t know how to generate traffic. Therefore, they rely on the free tools that’s available online or they pay for a service that they can do for themselves.
Chat with you later…
Josh
Josh Garcia´s last [type] ..How to Manage Multiple Blogs Successfully
You said it Josh, and unfortunately, this is very common.
Catch you later too…
Jerome Ratliff
It’s true. I have had a few accounts closed and you cannot get them reopened. I have learned it is important to have a self hosted blog and to use the FREE accounts like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, but not depend on them solely.
Carla Clayton´s last [type] ..Seven Reasons to Start a Blog
Isn’t that the worst feeling Carla?
Self hosted blog is a GREAT way to go.
Thanks for stopping by.
Have a great day,
Jerome Ratliff
Jerome this so true how many times have we heard of the google slap or facebook or even twitter shutting down an account. If everything hinges on these we may want to reconsider our approach. Whatever happens I have a self hosted blog and seo to fall back on.
Steve Shoemaker
Steve Shoemaker´s last [type] ..Strategic Branding-Who Are YouInc
hey Steve,
Right on…Self-hosted sure does make it easier.
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome, I could not agree more!
When push comes to shove you own your content on your website.
You can take that content and host it anywhere, and if some of your marketing efforts on other sites disappear, just do it again somewhere else.
Great advice considering so many do get this.
Peter Fuller MBA´s last [type] ..How has my business grown since I started my blog
hey Peter,
That’s exactly what I’m talking about.
Jerome Ratliff
This is exactly why I am a firm proponent of recommending people establish their own self hosted blogs as their business HQ with the aim of driving all traffic though this gateway. Excellent advice Jerome!
~Marcus
Marcus Baker´s last [type] ..Save Time With This Handy Email Formatter MLM Tips
Hey Marcus,
I know you’re big on that. You do an exceptional job on this too.
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
This is a really important point. People need to accept that if they want to build a profitable business, they need to be willing to pay a certain price.
Nothing wrong with free methods, but “free” usually belongs to someone else who also wants to benefit from your efforts. E.g. EzineArticles makes money from AdSense.
Want to control something, you’ve got to pay a small price for it. It’s worth it.
Wayne
Hey Wayne,
Great way to put it, you’re right, you have to pay a price.
Jerome Ratliff
Great point Jerome,
You can’t heavily depend on any marketing materials that you don’t own. Google proved it, Squidoo proved it, Titter, Facebook and YouTube all proved it. Your self hosted blog is your safe haven. That’s where you can make the magic happen and no one an take it away from you, unless you don’t pay your hosting bill of course. lol
Fred
Fred Williams´s last [type] ..Want To Get Perpetual Traffic To Your Blog Then Check This Out
Hey Fred,
I love how you said that Fred, “no one can take it away from you.” That’s for sure!
Catch you later,
Jerome Ratliff
Hi Jerome,
So true! Thanks for making an important point.
When it comes to the advertising methods mentioned we own nothing. Youtube, Ezinearticles, etc can all give you the slap in a hot second. I know, I’ve received it in the past from each site
It’s best to funnel everything into your blog. Expose people to your content central to make an impression.
Ryan Biddulph
Ryan Biddulph´s last [type] ..Thanks To My Blogging Buddies
Hi Ryan,
I’ve been slapped too, perhaps beaten up is a better word. The good news is we learned from our mistakes.
Jerome Ratliff
Outsourcing can save a small business owner a lot of headaches and time, but you should never outsource your marketing.
This is the bread and butter of the business, and I totally agree with you; you have to have 100% control of your marketing plan and the execution of the marketing message that goes out.
Even if you have in-house marketing staff in your business, you have to keep a tight control on everything that goes out.
Marketing is where the money comes in. If you are delivering the wrong message to your customers, you could kill your business.
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
Joshua Black | The Underdog Millionaire´s last [type] ..Lesson From US Government Shows That Traditional Product Launches Are Bad For Business
Hey Joshua,
That’s a very good point. Some cases outsourcing is good and it also has some other downfalls.
Have a great day,
Jerome Ratliff
I have now build my business for years, even had my blog, but I have to admit, and am “green” when I comes to blogging,,, so this is valuable information for me, thanks.
Soren
Soren Egstrup´s last [type] ..Extract from “AS A MAN THINKETH”
Hi Soren,
I appreciate that. I’m glad I was able to help.
Jerome Ratliff
Hi, really awesome points.
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