One of the most common questions people new to Internet business ask is, "Where do I find my target market?" Most of these people know exactly whom they want to sell their products/services to, but they have no idea where to find them on the Internet.
Most of the people selling online are offering a good product or service, but many of them aren't making any sales. What’s the problem? It’s not their product. It’s their marketing, specifically where they are marketing.
Hundreds upon hundreds of Internet entrepreneurs are making the very same mistakes every single day. They are under the impression that placing their URL on FFA link pages and submitting to billions of search engines will attract tons of read- to-buy shoppers to their web site. Could they be more wrong?
These tactics are kind of like trying to sell ice to Eskimos. They have no need to buy ice when it’s all around them. The same is true for most of the people who are attracted to these web sites. They have no need for what’s there.
So how do you find your target audience? First of all, you have to think like them. Put yourself in the place of your customers. What do they want? Where will they go looking for it online?
The obvious answer is search engines. Yahoo! isn't the most visited website on the Internet for nothing. But unless you’re willing to spend months just trying to get a top ranking, or pay someone big bucks to do it for you, this isn't the best way to find your audience.
Okay, we've ruled out search engines as the best place to find your target market. What’s the answer then? Ezines and newsletters.
Why ezines and newsletters?
Why do people subscribe to an ezine? They’re interested in whatever the topic of the ezine is. If it’s about Internet marketing, then the readers are interested in Internet marketing. If you’re marketing products designed for Internet marketers, what better place to advertise than in a publication with a subscriber base made up completely of Internet marketers? All of them are potential buyers. No longer are you trying to sell ice to Eskimos, but to desert nomads looking for ice!
Advertising in ezines and newsletters is very effective, and it works! There are millions of subscribers around the world who are receiving ezines on a regular basis because they are interested in hearing what the publisher has to say.
So how do you place an ad in an ezine targeted to your audience?
First, you have to find an ezine whose topic matches your target market. There are several searchable directories online that list ezines organized by subject matter. These directories usually list contact information, advertising rates and circulation. Try out one of these:
So check them out, find a targeted ezine, and place an ad! You'll be amazed at the number of buying visitors who drop by your web sit
Martin Greening is an avid Internet marketer and is currently looking for motivated individuals to fill a
small group of top leaders in his new organization.
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