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literature. They can then print the details (including order form) and send for the product! When advertising your new information product, stick to the business areas on the Internet! Don’t waste your time advertising your product in the “general merchandise” or “miscellaneous” sections! Concentrate solely on your target audience.

Before posting an ad, check out the business classified section at each site. Chances are, if the business section is fairly large, there must be a good reason. Most sites will also indicate the number of hits (number of on-line visitors to this particular site, as well, so you’ll know how many customers may see your ad.

The number of locations that allow you to post classifieds is growing so fast that I can’t begin to give you a reasonable estimate of how many there are. Most of them are completely free, while others charge small fees. To find a large list of free classified areas on the Internet, simply go to whatever search engine you use (Web Crawler, Infoseek, Lycos, or any other) and enter the key words “free classifieds.”

Upon entering a classified section, check into the “guidelines & regulations” area before posting. This is usually where you will find the rates, if they do charge. (Don’t worry, they are required to tell you exactly how much you will be charged before they post your ad.)

Most sites require you to register with them before you can post your ad. This registration is also free, unless otherwise stated. This is where you will usually find detailed directions for posting an ad. It is actually quite simple and takes only a few seconds. You simply type some information about yourself, then type your classified ad. Once all the information has been entered, you click on “post” or “submit,” and you’re done.

Remember, your ads should not try to sell your product! They are placed with the intention of getting interested people… to respond to you, so you can send your sales literature to them.

(b) E-Mailing Lists

The next marketing strategy that is gaining popularity in the on-line world is called direct E-mail. This involves E-mailing your advertisements directly to a list of people who may be interested. This list is usually bought or rented from an E-mailing list broker. The costs vary widely, depending on the broker used. This can be a very effective way to get your message out.

I was never an advocate of traditional mailing list strategies, for two very big reasons. First of all, the cost of mailing to everyone on the list (at 44 cents a pop) usually offset any profits immediately. And secondly, a lot of this mail was considered junk mail and was never even opened!

Direct E-mail does not have these downfalls. First of all, sending E-mail is free, saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars in postage. And secondly, the E-mail sits at the person’s mailbox until it is opened. These two factors, coupled with the high number of people you can reach in a very short amount of time, warrants giving this dynamic new marketing strategy a try!

Remember, don’t try to sell your products with the first contact. Simply offer the opportunity to receive “free details” by replying to the ad. Then E-mail your sales letter to these new prospects.

Until very recently, this marketing strategy had been highly frowned upon by a large segment of the on-line population. Although it is becoming more and more accepted as the net goes commercial, don’t be disturbed by an occasional “flaming.” This is the Internet term for a rude, harsh, and often disgusting reply to unsolicited E-mail. Accept is as part of the on-line culture, and move on with your business.

You can avoid a lot of flaming by seeking out a list of “opportunity seekers only.” You can also keep it to a minimum by sending only short unsolicited messages and offering everyone an option to be removed from your list. Eventually, everyone will accept the inevitable commercialization of the Internet.