Promoting a Directory

[DiscJockey]

I'm creating a thread to possibly gather information on how to promote a directory :cool:. I'm been having problems getting my directory off the ground, I get 2 - 3 sales a day and I'm looking to promote it some and increase sales.

Can fellow members perhaps share advice on how one can promote a directory? Maybe you have had some past experience on a particular type of marketing? Feel free to share whatever you know to help me and others who'll read this thread.

:cool:

[WatchOut]

A very common question; my tips would be make sure that you have nice content on your web directory and that it attracts a user before going through the promotion stage.

As for promotion, I would say drive lots of traffic to your web directory (traffic is a must!), use your directory on your signature (just noticed that you don't use it). Going through forums, especially webmaster related forums can certainly boost your sales and give you some targeted traffic. DP is a great forum to boost your sales, and drive some extra traffic.

Submission to directories always is a great benefit, though do it slowly and naturally. Don't go the 'fast-way' as this can damage your directory more than you think - and a great tip is let it look and grow natural.

Regards,
Meti

[DownUnder]

I'm creating a thread to possibly gather information on how to promote a directory :cool:. I'm been having problems getting my directory off the ground, I get 2 - 3 sales a day and I'm looking to promote it some and increase sales.

Can fellow members perhaps share advice on how one can promote a directory? Maybe you have had some past experience on a particular type of marketing? Feel free to share whatever you know to help me and others who'll read this thread.

:cool:

It is hard to advise what to do, if you don't state what yor doing now, the tips already given have been good.

Here is a general guide,

have say 3 options running at one time, this allows you to compare strategies ( this may be one ad worded 3 ways for example or 3 seperate things )

give them time to settle in

evaluate all 3 then study why the top one worked and improve upon it adding those changes to the number 2 ad as well if needed

Study option 3 or the worst one and see why it did not work, remove these elements from 1 and 2 if present.

ditch number 3 add and create a new ad based on your findings, let it run and settle again then repeat as above.

after time you will get very good at what you do and the number runnig can be 5, 7 or any number.

Concistancy is a big factor in any campaign ( IMO ) rather than run a large campaign over a short period, run a smaller campiagn over a longer period.

for example use a sponsered section in a good directory for a year , land on the front page in a prime spot, and you get what you pay for so select quality directories.

look at your product first, do not waste a cent promoting your product unless you have it neat clean and tidy, instead spend money on that first if needed, spending money to drive people to a product that is not presented well is wasting money.

could rabbit for hours but need some sleep :)

[Razvan]

There are a lot of threads like yours here on dp.. just do a search. :)

To be on topic, the best advice is to get traffic. Because traffic is money. More traffic, more submissions, more revenue.. Of course, targeted traffic is even better, try advertising on other directories or directory related sites and even webmaster forums.

[britishguy]

Its not rocket science but it is hard work and it is necessary to put in hard work 365/24/7

Some may have easier ways but time spent working on marketing and promoting does pay off in the medium to long term timeline :)

[adnan]

I'm creating a thread to possibly gather information on how to promote a directory . I'm been having problems getting my directory off the ground, I get 2 - 3 sales a day and I'm looking to promote it some and increase sales.

Can fellow members perhaps share advice on how one can promote a directory? Maybe you have had some past experience on a particular type of marketing? Feel free to share whatever you know to help me and others who'll read this thread.



Hey can u write about my DJ (http://www.directoryjunction.com/) in your thread.

We got some useful directory lists, kind of different from the other lists out there, I guess that could be directory promotion. :)

thx

[leede]

Getting 2 to 3 sales is pretty good in comparison to wht is currently going on

[workshop]

I'm creating a thread to possibly gather information on how to promote a directory :cool:. I'm been having problems getting my directory off the ground, I get 2 - 3 sales a day and I'm looking to promote it some and increase sales.

Can fellow members perhaps share advice on how one can promote a directory? Maybe you have had some past experience on a particular type of marketing? Feel free to share whatever you know to help me and others who'll read this thread.

:cool:
You are doing fine. But don't start spending $$$ you cant afford to kiss bye bye to. Buyers are looking for long term value so ask yourself what it is that makes your directory different and offers buyers value for the time they spend looking for you. Take a look at the directory in my signature. Its different, it contains quality content and offers real long term value but all I have managed to do on this forum is to attract flies to sh*t.

However we do have a pool of emerging directories, we offer a replacement warranty for links that get accepted and we have a list of participating directory masters that we give out to buyers when we get enquiries. If you would like me to add your site PM me. It could work for both of us :)

[wayner]

For a bit of free promotion you can add your directory to my directory list:

www.directoryrate.com

[adnan]

For a bit of free promotion you can add your directory to my directory list:

www.directoryrate.com


heeheh, u know I like this guy,

But he's got some free promotion right there.

Hey do u accept directory of directories too like my DJ in your Directory Rate?

[blazwww]

Have you try with http://info.vilesilencer.com?

[WatchOut]

Wayner; that is a great system. I wish you all success - just added one of my directories, thanks for the opportunity. Sorry for going off-topic, though.

Regards,
Meti

[wayner]

heeheh, u know I like this guy,

But he's got some free promotion right there.

Hey do u accept directory of directories too like my DJ in your Directory Rate?

Going a bit off-topic but... thanks, all directories are welcome, including directory of directories such as DJ... assuming of course it cuts the mustard ;)

[geoneo]

I suggest a submission service...it will boost your traffic right away......personally I've tryed several but this is the best I got my hands on.........great offer and professionalism

http://www.pegasusdirectory.com/directorysubmission.php

[MeetHere]

-- Promote , promote and promote..

--- buy banner or text ads from related sites - forums, blogs and directories
--- buy signature links from webmaster forums
--- buy avatars from webmaster forums

[workshop]

But don't start spending $$$ you cant afford to kiss bye bye to.The last thing you want to do is feed the machine and draw attention to yourself by engaging in dodgy practices. Keep it clean. You don't need thousands of links. Dare to be different. Google's spiders will find you and they will index your pages. That's all you need for link bait. Thereafter you need to go looking for the buyers and although this market is more about who you know, its changing. Buyers loyalty only goes so far. If there is any question about a directories ability to deliver long term value they will start looking for alternatives. That's why Google's unexpected ambush took them by surprise and why its having such a positive result. The market is in disarray and no one is quite sure whether the axe is going to fall or not. Its levelling the playing field and giving you the opportunity to go public and make a statement about the future of your directory.

[pipes]

workshop no axe is going to fall, its just what recently happend has created good feedback for directory owners in general.
I dont think you would of recently entered the directory business yourself if you thought the whole thing was going to collapse, with all respect.

[workshop]

I dont think you would of recently entered the directory business yourself if you thought the whole thing was going to collapse, with all respect.New to DP but not new to directories. I have two or three years under my belt already. But you are right. I am very positive about the future and hope like hell that Google understands that the only thing that will change this industry is a baseball bat.

[pipes]

New to DP but not new to directories. I have two or three years under my belt already. I am very positive about the future and hope like hell that Google understands that the only thing some people understand is a baseball bat.

Well baseball aint my thing, im british, but regarding directories i think its safe to say that not all directories are doing the same, plenty of different approaches, i think that what you really dont want to see is clones, therefore it is essential to respect that people cant be expected to fall into line incase they upset another webmaster and as much as you may want to see specific things happen it really is a case of people taking care of their own businesses, that as a minimum must be recognised and absorbed.

[workshop]

As long as they understand that we all exist and survive because we have a special relationship with Google they are free to do whatever they like. However abuse of the system the way Aviva has been abusing the system does have repercussions and that needs to be understood very clearly.

[pipes]

As long as they understand that we all have a special relationship with Google they are free to do whatever they like. However abuse of the system the way Aviva has been abusing the system does have repercussions and that needs to be understood very clearly.

Out of politeness i think its good manners not to make an accusation against someone who hasn't been around to argue back, if the person isn't here to discuss with you publically or privately its probably better left.

A search engine is able to keep its own house in order the way its owners see fit, i think any of the large search engines have the resources to take care of that, as users of the search engines we possibly shouldn't underestimate the mammoth task they they constantly have, changes may affect us but im sure what all of the SE's do is well thought out and long term.

I think everything is understood very clearly now, say something once and people listen, say it twice and it probably gets absorbed but keep saying the same thing over, just with different wording and people not only stop listening but they wont take kindly to the messenger.

Advice is nice, but patronising is agonising.

[workshop]

The reason Aviva is not around is because they have been caught with their pants down and the sooner you recognise and acknowledge that, the sooner we can move on. Everyone I know except anOn that is, is feeling the pinch. That makes it my business and it makes it yours. I am not dishonest, I work hard at what I do and I don't appreciate having the carpet pulled from under my feet just because a few wide boys don't understand that there are limits.

[banless]

Think outside the box. A directory can be advertised the same way as any other business can. Now of course you are going to want to advertise in a location where webmasters hang, but let's not forget about the general public and all of the other site owners out there who do not have webmasters but do things on their own. You'll most likely find them on small business forums or group sites where people are always asking questions about seo.

I guess my best advise would be to keep your local viewers in mind you'd be amazed at how many site owners there are right around the corner. Seach engines are great and in fact help alot, but since they are just as greedy as any other business then you may want to look else where in order to avoid losing what you gained.

Get your advertising sales pitch in order and you will do just fine regardless of what the search engines do.

[pipes]

The reason Aviva is not around is because they have been caught with their pants down and the sooner you recognise and acknowledge that, the sooner we can move on. Everyone I know except anOn that is, is feeling the pinch. That makes it my business and it makes it yours. I am not dishonest, I work hard at what I do and I don't appreciate having the carpet pulled from under my feet just because a few wide boys don't understand that there are limits.

I dont know the owner of Aviva so im not in a position to comment, plus ive only been involved in the directory business since earlier this year.

Its not my business what anyone else does, its theirs, they have their sites and mine are seperate.
Clubbing everyone together isn't fair because then its like saying if anything goes against what you feel is right that its all our fault because were directory owners.

You said that you were doing things differently, that you dont rely on what most others are doing, so by right you should be laughing all the way to the bank, if your unique then by right this shouldn't affect you.

If you still want your directories to be seen as directories without being associated with anything that you dislike then you can be innovative and unique in what you do so that people say wow, these directories that this guy has are something special.

Then workshop will stand out as something of an innovator and your being different will seperate you from anything that you feel is not right, if you promote right then you should do great business and no amount of other directories would affect your business as you would be unique.

[pipes]

Think outside the box. A directory can be advertised the same way as any other business can. Now of course you are going to want to advertise in a location where webmasters hang, but let's not forget about the general public and all of the other site owners out there who do not have webmasters but do things on their own. You'll most likely find them on small business forums or group sites where people are always asking questions about seo.

I guess my best advise would be to keep your local viewers in mind you'd be amazed at how many site owners there are right around the corner. Seach engines are great and in fact help alot, but since they are just as greedy as any other business then you may want to look else where in order to avoid losing what you gained.

Get your advertising sales pitch in order and you will do just fine regardless of what the search engines do.

Top class advice banless, its down to the person, enough determination gets you through.

[pipes]

Workshop, the thread title is Promoting a Directory so out of respect for the OP its nicer if its kept on topic, and less confusing for new visitors to the forum.

Lets try not to confuse newcomers to online promotion with politics and unnecessary things.

[workshop]

Its not my business what anyone else does, its theirs, they have their sites and mine are seperate.
You are wrong. Submissions are down and whilst it might not concern you there are a lot of people who are hurting. Secondly that sort of attitude is the very reason Google is going to have to use a baseball bat to get its message through. Read the posts in this forum. Paid listings might have become Reviews but the attitude is still the same and the only time you people are going to sit up and take note is when they decide that it time to devalue links from all directories. Right now you have a choice and if you are too stupid to recognise that there is a good chance Google will make it for you.
Lets try not to confuse newcomers to online promotion with politics and unnecessary things.
Put simply, its best to stay away from directory masters that lie cheat and steal. You get judged by the company you keep.

[floppydrivez]

Think outside the box. A directory can be advertised the same way as any other business can. Now of course you are going to want to advertise in a location where webmasters hang, but let's not forget about the general public and all of the other site owners out there who do not have webmasters but do things on their own. You'll most likely find them on small business forums or group sites where people are always asking questions about seo.

I guess my best advise would be to keep your local viewers in mind you'd be amazed at how many site owners there are right around the corner. Seach engines are great and in fact help alot, but since they are just as greedy as any other business then you may want to look else where in order to avoid losing what you gained.

Get your advertising sales pitch in order and you will do just fine regardless of what the search engines do.

Great Advice.

[pipes]

Really its not my business what other people do with regards to theirs, i understand your points that your making, im just saying that my personal choice is to mind my own business with peoples private matters.

Submissions being down does concern me workshop, im in the same boat with regards to a change. Im a wee man too :) im no rich guy, i just try and keep things in perspective though, i do my research and planning and go with my intuition and try and make the best choices.

I do read a lot on the forums, huge amounts, i just dont always post. People are already making changes, myself ive been doing so much research and planning but i cant do things overnight, im trying to get things right which means taking my time, testing and using a forward thinking approach.

I have the freedom to choose who i do business with in the future, i will definately make some mistakes and bad choices, its inevitable and impossible not to, its part of business and nobody can get anything right all of the time.

If you can just ease back for a moment and give things time and maybe you will see what people will do and may be suprised.

This really is rude to go so off topic in this thread.

Im sorry to the OP.:o

[floppydrivez]

I have some theories on generating related traffic to directories, but I will not post them because I have yet to test them. The theory is more based on relevant search queries vs actual promotion though.

Maybe soon in the future I can post or blog my case study.

[niraj11122]

i think you should go for more & more off page factors like article submissions, blog submissions with good content go for press release & directory submission as well.

[boil3r]

Great suggestions given. Promoting your directory to webmaster forums like DP is very effective.

[Barefootsies]

Some very good tips and gems in this baby.