Conducted by Natalia Kim

Academy of Web Specialists

Take search engine marketing training!

Thu May 23 08:13:22 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} As the title says I would like to mention "unusual" methods of one-on-one marketing that actually work (increases traffic). It's a lot of work, but it makes a difference...

Thu May 23 08:14:37 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} The first trick is to create a personality, that can be your "real" self or a pseudonym. Make it as believable as possible even if it IS pseudo, because you'll "act" a lot in your "disguise"...

Thu May 23 08:15:45 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} You need to think of things like age, professional background, personality - to make life easier keep everything as close to your "real" you so you don't have to do too many fantasies, those are hard to track down...

Thu May 23 08:16:11 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Hey, I don't mean this to be a dialogue so do interrupt me OFTEN :-)))

Thu May 23 08:17:27 2002 patj {public msg} Who am I portraying this image to.

Thu May 23 08:20:08 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} You'll use it online ... EVERYWHERE!!! :-)))

Thu May 23 08:20:57 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} And when I say everywhere I mean places like: classifieds, guestbooks, forums...

Thu May 23 08:22:19 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} ANY place really where you can place your URL!!! Above all, don't even bother to put a message UNLESS there is a space to fill in your URL.

Thu May 23 08:23:48 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} This all ads up to your link popularity!!! However, there ARE difficulties to work around...

Thu May 23 08:24:57 2002 patj {public msg} Why would I disguise myself?

Thu May 23 08:25:51 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Because sometimes, if you work the forums, for example, you'll might be 2 different persons!! (And different e-mails).

Thu May 23 08:27:47 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Example: Ana- you poses a question like "Where can I learn search engine positioning online?" and then Eva - you, a few hours later replies: "Hi, Ana, you should really check out the Academy of Web Specialists! I did a course out there and bla bla bla bla bla..."

Thu May 23 08:28:47 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} This makes your message far more trustworthy than "just" posting some "Come check out the Academy... so and so"

Thu May 23 08:28:58 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Do you get the idea?

Thu May 23 08:29:45 2002 patj {public msg} Is there an alternative to this method? Like having a unique solution to a problem.

Thu May 23 08:30:40 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} I don't understand you exactly. What do you mean with "unique solution", a unique message to post all over???

Thu May 23 08:33:06 2002 patj {public msg} Well just when someone else poses a question or asks for a solution to a problem.

Thu May 23 08:35:09 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Of course, but this is the most EFFECTIVE one. Obviously, the ideal way is to contribute to real ongoing discussions both in forums -webmaster forums or whatever specialty you are into- and post replies. If you can add your e-mail signature that is, of course, great, to spread the word!

Thu May 23 08:36:27 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} However, you must ALWAYS to be very careful. No talking about dog breeding in the soccer forums or chatting away about classical music in the ones talking about Britney Spears only. That kind of mistakes can cost you dearly, not only in time wasted...

Thu May 23 08:36:43 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} What kind of webs do you promote, Patj???

Thu May 23 08:37:19 2002 patj {public msg} What would be a good approach in a guestbook? Should I sign it and talk about the web site with the guestbook, and add my URL?

Thu May 23 08:38:47 2002 patj {public msg} Well, I'm just starting to promote my own. I just want to get as much information about all aspects as possible.

Thu May 23 08:40:43 2002 patj {public msg} I'm promoting an alternate method of raising money for college tuition. www.brightfutureteams.com

Thu May 23 08:41:51 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} -that should give you a wide spread choice of places to promote it on! And you should absolutely also take advantage of things like classifieds!

Thu May 23 08:42:34 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Another thing. NEVER write your URL without the http:// !!! IF you write it complete it will be clickable ALMOST everywhere :-)))

Thu May 23 08:43:31 2002 patj {public msg} Thanks http://www.brightfutureteams.com

Thu May 23 08:43:53 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Interaction online -that's why I call it one-on-one marketing- is as important as in the real world. People need to feel there is somebody behind, that it's not ONLY propaganda

Thu May 23 08:44:07 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Right! That's the way you should put it!!!

Thu May 23 08:44:44 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Also, other tools that are useful are the direct-messengers like ICQ - at http://www.icq.com -

Thu May 23 08:45:17 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} This is a great place to find forums for different subjects: http://www.forumfind.com

Thu May 23 08:45:27 2002 patj {public msg} What about the guestbooks. Do some of them have a special place for us to add a URL?

Thu May 23 08:45:36 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Also, I keep putting up links to mine, as I find them...

Thu May 23 08:47:59 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} guestbooks: Yes, they should have a line for your URL in the form, otherwise, don't bother!!! If you make a search in, for example, Yahoo, of a string like guestbook + URL + college (for example) and you'll be on your way :-)))

Thu May 23 08:49:18 2002 patj {public msg} Great idea. I know I only want to be linked to related sites.

Thu May 23 08:49:25 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} You can write simple but sincere messages like: "I got a lot of good information on your website. Let's keep in touch!" or things like that...

Thu May 23 08:50:22 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Well, basically you want as MANY links though the ones that are MOST worthwhile are the ones related. (And stay free from bad reputation ones...)

Thu May 23 08:50:51 2002 patj {public msg} Good. And I'll watch for every opportunity to mention and promote my site. I think you just need to listen for what others are looking for.

Thu May 23 08:51:28 2002 patj {public msg} How do you know what the reputation of a site is?

Thu May 23 08:51:55 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Actually, a lot of times, if you check out places like AltaVista, among the first results a lot of times you'll get a message posted in a Forum. As it's plain text it's taaaasty for the spiders :-)))

Thu May 23 08:52:44 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Reputation: Well, I only meant not to link on X-rated or "strange" ones unless you ARE in their business = related :-)))

Thu May 23 08:54:10 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} What is REALLY useful is a tool you'll find here: http://www.tracerlock.com You can ask for it to send you and e-mail anytime the word college (for example) is posted to a newsgroup message and then you can go there and paste in an reply and participate or get in contact directly with the person that posted it. Remember: We ARE talking one-on-one...

Thu May 23 08:55:05 2002 patj {public msg} Wow, that's great info.

Thu May 23 08:55:24 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Tricks of the trade :-)))

Thu May 23 08:55:54 2002 patj {public msg} I sure want to catch anyone who is looking for grants & scholarships.

Thu May 23 08:57:18 2002 patj {public msg} I see nothing wrong with leading someone to "all" the options.

Thu May 23 08:57:33 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Actually, if you want to keep track of MY tricks I have them all online (it's so messy to keep track of bookmarks): http://www.scandinavianwebmasters.com/nyttiga_sajter.html

Thu May 23 08:58:04 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Of course, you can hunt for whatever word you like. And tracerlock is for Free!!!

Thu May 23 08:59:30 2002 patj {public msg} I'll check it out. I just wish I could copy out of this chat window.

Thu May 23 09:01:12 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Also, use e-zines, contribute with articles, mailing lists on the subject... The more personal you get, the more trustworthy your advice will be...

Thu May 23 09:03:00 2002 nataliakim5 {action} -))) I can keep on FOREEEEEVER about this and I get new ideas all the time. As I said, it's work but it WORKS!!!

Thu May 23 09:04:24 2002 patj {public msg} If it is worth it, then it's worth the time.

Thu May 23 09:08:29 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Oh, and there is one VERY neat software that lets you save "clippings" and make macros for different things you want to paste: http://www.clipcache.com It's very cheap but REALLY useful in this business!!!

Thu May 23 09:08:46 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} I couldn't live without it by now!!!

Thu May 23 09:10:37 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Hi, William!

Thu May 23 09:10:44 2002 wwilliams {public msg} Hello

Thu May 23 09:11:06 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Where are you from? I'm Swedish, though I live in Spain

Thu May 23 09:11:17 2002 wwilliams {public msg} California here

Thu May 23 09:11:59 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Well, yes, we are almost leaving, sort of :-((( But I bet Robin will put the transcript online somewhere so you'll catch up. However, here is a list of several international forums:

Thu May 23 09:13:23 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} http://spanishwebmasters.com/lista.html We keep adding to it. (the forums are in the bottom)

Thu May 23 09:13:41 2002 wwilliams {public msg} cool I will check it out

Thu May 23 09:13:49 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Any questions???

Thu May 23 09:15:13 2002 wwilliams {public msg} not at this time since I missed it but I will read the transcript

Thu May 23 09:15:56 2002 wwilliams {public msg} lol I did not realize you were the moderator

Thu May 23 09:16:47 2002 wwilliams {public msg} what ideas did you discuss regarding guest books

Thu May 23 09:17:03 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Anyway, as I mentioned to Patj, I keep posting all my best tricks on one of my websites http://www.scandinavianwebmasters.com

Thu May 23 09:19:34 2002 wwilliams {public msg} natalia you are an instructor here as well?

Thu May 23 09:20:26 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Yes, I instruct Spanish pupils.

Thu May 23 09:20:56 2002 wwilliams {public msg} excellent I will check out the links. Thank you for your help.

Thu May 23 09:21:06 2002 wwilliams {public msg} have a nice day :)

Thu May 23 09:21:29 2002 patj {public msg} I'm going to go now too. Thanks for your help.

Thu May 23 09:22:46 2002 nataliakim5 {public msg} Have fun and thanks for the company!