Self-Promotion on a Zero Budget

Recently, I've received a few e-mails from people asking me for advice on how to get started in the writing biz. When I stop to think about it, maybe I've been lucky to accomplish this much writing in a short time. I have accidentally discovered a way to self-promote my work. It starts with an interest in Web design and a friend who needs a Web site for her professional organization. I volunteer to do it to get Web design experience.

Do you hear an "Ah-ha!" coming? Before I take you there, let's talk about catch-22. Most people just entering Web design or freelance get the old "Get experience before we can hire you." OK, how am I supposed to get experience if no one will hire me?

Back to the "eureka." What kind of business typically has little or no money to invest in a Web site? Let's say it together, "non-profit organizations." That was lesson number one. Build a portfolio by offering your services to charitable organizations. It's win-win because you get the opportunity to add to your portfolio as well as make a contribution to a good cause. The only drawback is finding the time to do it outside of your "pays the bills" job.

Oh, you're not a Web designer, programmer, or code-head? No problem! Get out pen and paper or load up your favorite word processor. Start writing about a topic you know well. You've come up with another excuse saying you are not an expert in anything? It's time for my rebuttal and a confession. I'm only doing this for you to boost your confidence and to show you it can be done. The old, "if I can do it, you can, too!"

Here goes: I am a Jane of all trades. I kid you not. It's not a bad thing and I've managed to continuously add to my writing portfolio. Guess what? I am promoting myself with this article. Whenever I publish an article with a popular online Web site, my own Web site, http://www.meryl.net, experiences a traffic boost. I'll bet you that you'll go to my Web site when you finish this one. No, I am not high on myself. Whenever I read a story or discussion list, I often click on the author's link to learn more and see if there is anything else I'd like to check out. If you don't find this article worthy, then how did you get this far?

There are plenty of places that want your articles (Hint: notice this Web site?). Not everyone pays, but it's a good way to put you out there. One way I've gotten started was submitting an article to an email newsletter's open publishing initiative. It accepts articles in exchange for software and free publicity for you. You can write your own bio and add links to your Web site. Thanks to the newsletter, my portfolio grows and I gain new and paying clients.

If you want something bigger than a bio and you're brave enough, then offer yourself up for interviews or presentations. If you're involved with a new product or service, then you can suggest an article on that topic and be interviewed as a subject matter expert. For instance, in writing an article on Flash, I interview several experts and return the favor by including links to their Web sites. Again, it's win-win. Remember to promote a topic of interest to readers instead of focusing on your company or its products.

Is there a conference coming to town? They're always looking for proposals. Also, try checking around for user groups and offer up your services to speak about a relevant topic. I've given a presentation to a computer users group and my URL was in the footer of every page of the presentation. More free promotion.

There's something for everyone. In summary, this is the advice I give to people on how to market their way to a new career:

• Offering your services to nonprofit organizations
• Publishing an article
• Getting interviewed or doing a presentation

Give it a shot. One more note, I'm terrible at sales. These steps have helped me move forward without feeling like giving a sales pitch. Now, finish this off by reading the bio and clicking on the link.

Meryl K. Evans, Content Maven, is Editor-in-Chief of eNewsletter Journal and The Remediator Security Digest. She's a slave to a MarketingProfs weekly column and a Web design reference guide at InformIT. She is the author of the popular e-report, How to Start a Business Blog and Build Traffic. Visit her site at http://www.meryl.net/blog/ for free newsletters, articles, and tips.

---

How Gratitude Works

Want to know what the highest-impact, lowest-cost tool is in... Read More

How to Start a Big Mail Service

A BIG MAIL SHOULD CONTAIN:At least three to four Mail... Read More

Eliminate Your Competitors With 2 Simple Steps

In business, having competitors goes with the territory. There's almost... Read More

Marketing Miracles - Do They Just Happen?

A simple answer to that is: Yes, Marketing Miracles happen!... Read More

Making More With Existing Clients

Have you ever put on a jacket you haven't worn... Read More

7 Simple Marketing Tips

Here are 7 simple marketing tips to help you boost... Read More

Time for A Marketing Tune-up

If you have been in business any length of time,... Read More

Whats Your Selling Sentence?

What's your Selling Sentence? If you have a business, you... Read More

Free or Not Free ? That is the Question

You may be in business for yourself or as a... Read More

10 Powerful Marketing Tips

1. Print your best small ad on a postcard and... Read More

Communicating Our Attitude

The goal of successful marketing is to create long lasting... Read More

Marketing vs Selling - Why Theres A Difference

Marketing is something that we do to let people know... Read More

CRM: Strategic Engine or Just Another Tool?

CRM?strategic engine or just another technology tool? How would you... Read More

Financial Services Marketing Insights: A Marketing Compass

What we now call "marketing" began long before the name... Read More

21 Ways To Expand Your Subscriber List

Expanding your subscriber list, whether it be for your ezine,... Read More

Big Ticket Marketing in 28 Minutes

I read an article recently about how many mainstream retail... Read More

How to Leverage Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool

Second in a series of three articles:What if you could... Read More

How Testimonials Can Put You in the Spotlight

If you need evidence that a testimonial or referral can... Read More

Determining Marketing Effectiveness Even If You Didnt Track

What if you've done a variety of marketing activities over... Read More

What You Must Know When Marketing Your Business

Marketing is both an art and a science. Anyone who... Read More

Direct Mail

Do you have a website? A Web Newsletter? A mailing... Read More

Practice Marketing: How to Answer What Do You Do? to Increase Prospects, Publicity and Profits

"What do you do?""I'm a CPA. What do you do?""I'm... Read More

A Look at Brochure Printing Services

A brochure can be a wonderful promotional tool for a... Read More

The Biggest Problem With Your Marketing Is...?

What is the biggest problem most marketers have? Who knows.... Read More

How to Write a Fundraising Thank-you Letter for Example (Includes a Free Sample)

Thank-you letters are one of the most important letters that... Read More

Discount Promotional Items ? How to Save Money

It takes money to make money is an adage we... Read More

Unique Gift Items ? 3 Creative Ideas

With promotional items there are standards: t-shirts, mugs, note cubes,... Read More

Logo Facts

What makes one logo better than another?Simplicity.A good logo works... Read More

Mortgage Marketing - Viral-Email, Referral Marketing Strategy

This is a devastatingly powerful way to extend your marketing... Read More

CD ROM Business Cards - Offline Marketing For Online Promotion

It's a great concept, - and it has a 'cool... Read More

Heres A Robust, Turnkey, Interactive. Best of Breed, Mission-Critical Solution to Kill Buzzwords

Fellow Publicity Insiders, what does... Read More

Stop Searching - Joint Ventures are the Solution to Doubling Your Business

First, define the end user (or ideal client) of your... Read More

What Does Marketing Mean?

You can have the best little business ever with wonderful... Read More