How to advertise a free service...for free?

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by mezner, Mar 1, 2010.

  1. #1
    I am building an online marketplace similiar to flippa.com and sitebroker.com where people can place ads on my website for free. The only problem I know I will have is, how do I get people to come to my website and actually use it? I am not excepting to make a lot of money off of this, and I need a reason for people to come to my marketplace instead of, say flippa. One good reason is my website is free to use. The bad thing is if nobody uses it, advertising wont help, because people will still see that others are not using it as well.

    I do not have much money to go into advertising. I was thinking about writing some articles though and submitting them, but not sure where. If I could get some good feedback that would be great, because this is the first website I ever build where I actually needed some better marketing ideas.
     
    mezner, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  2. expertofexperts

    expertofexperts Active Member

    Messages:
    1,040
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    80
    #2
    The best way would be placing some your old bought websites or domains in sale. Now allowing some more people from your group or community whom you trust and those who trusts you, tell them to do the same thing.

    People will start coming only after seeing the traffic on your website.
     
    expertofexperts, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  3. mezner

    mezner Peon

    Messages:
    289
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    Yes that is the hardest part thought (getting people to trust). I will need to plan a way to get some people. I don't have any domains or websites I'm willing to sell yet.
     
    mezner, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  4. webbmaster

    webbmaster Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    491
    Likes Received:
    5
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    108
    #4
    it is the typical chicken and egg problem for any new business... you have to find a low cost advertising.. you need to find as many websites for sale as you can and stock them up on your website...

    Why not post a link in your signature line like mine?
     
    webbmaster, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  5. mezner

    mezner Peon

    Messages:
    289
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #5
    I plan on doing all the free methods such as this. I'm not done with the website yet. I just wanted to figure out how I will advertise it once it is finished within this week.
     
    mezner, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  6. mdvonline

    mdvonline Peon

    Messages:
    260
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #6
    Check my signature on 10 free ways to drive traffic including video, seo, social media, blog commenting and more.
     
    mdvonline, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  7. len Harris

    len Harris Member

    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    #7
    Once you have your site completed, do what you did here! Join about 10 IM forums and post ads, if the forums have this service. This is probably the quickest way to get some traffic to your site. Then use the other 9 free traffic methods outlined by "mdvonline"!
    Just use Google to find the Internet Marketing forums!
     
    len Harris, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  8. mdvonline

    mdvonline Peon

    Messages:
    260
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #8
    Hey Len, thanks for suggestion my report, I appreciate it.

    Can you name 9 other IM forums besides WF that have decent traffic on it?

    Cheers,
    Mukul
     
    mdvonline, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  9. mezner

    mezner Peon

    Messages:
    289
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #9
    Mdvonline, I did read your report earlier this morning before making this post. I liked it, but most of the techniques I already knew. DP gets a lot of traffic. I'm not really a member of any other communitys and I would hate signing up just to announce my website (I do feel bad about spamming for the sake of advertising).

    The reason I asked is, like almost ANY community based website, it is hard to start generating traffic that will actually come and then stay (and in my case, sell).
     
    mezner, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  10. mdvonline

    mdvonline Peon

    Messages:
    260
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #10
    Thanks, I agree SPAM not good, giving value is good:) I am part of a couple, but looking for more. I have been online for 6 years, just worked on my own and not into Internet Marketing community til the last year.

    I know you mentioned no money and I got some, not a lot of expereince in this, but Facebook advertising suppose to be really good to build brand awareness.

    Cheers,
    Mukul
     
    mdvonline, Mar 1, 2010 IP
  11. tonysoprano

    tonysoprano Peon

    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #11
    yup, post your site link to your sig, not just here anywhere where you have an account
    and you can always try free classified ads
    you can use twitter...be creative
     
    tonysoprano, Mar 1, 2010 IP