If you are a Webmaster or aspiring to be one, I'm sure you have had occasion to utilize the biggest marketing craze to ever grace the WWW---FFA Links. It's a pretty simple process really. You post to a member site, your link gets added to the database, and ultimately gets posted to hundreds or thousands of self-replicating link pages owned by other members. It's a great idea. Your Web site title posted all over the Internet. Before you know it, thousands of web surfers are clicking on your link to see what you have to offer. Right? Well…not exactly.

The first thing you should realize is that your link will stay on these pages for a very short time. On some of the busier networks, it may not last a minute. If you're lucky, it may last a day or two on a low traffic page. But, hey, that's a couple of days of exposure for your site. Right? Well… not exactly.

You see, virtually no one actually goes to these sites to view the ads. Yes, there are a few actual hits to the sites to post ads. These are usually to the same pages you use to send your ad. These pages are owned by members who aggressively promote them. Most members just sit back and let the automated submissions roll in, so no one actually views these pages.

All this being true, what exactly is the advantage of using this marketing technique? Virtually none, really. You will receive very few hits associated with these postings and your inbox will be inundated with offers from the FFA page owners. Along this line, if you are going to use this approach, be sure to secure a free mailbox to use when you post. You surely don't want 1000 junk mails being delivered to your primary mail box every time you post!

So, you ask, why do the FFA Networks exist at all? Well, there is a very good reason but you have to turn your thinking 180 degrees. The FFA Networks are an excellent marketing tool for the page owners. Each post to the FFA page (and there are thousands every day) require a valid e-mail address and an agreement to accept a confirmation mailing. Also, these addresses are pre-qualified. Why would you be using the service if you did not desire to market your product, service or Web site? What better way to mail your offer to thousands of pre-qualified sales leads without risking claims of spamming? Ingenious, if you ask me.

So, if you want to use the FFA revolution to your advantage, don't waste your time placing endless links on these pages. Get your own page. Be sure the network sends an automatic confirmation e-mail. Also be sure it is a message of your design. This is probably the most cost-effective, legal mass marketing technique available on the Net.

The majority of your e-mails will be relegated to the trash bin without so much as a glance, but if your subject line and message are properly worded and, of course, you have a product or service to offer that people desire, you will increase your Web site traffic with qualified, quality traffic

Doug Bailey is the Owner and Webmaster of Information Central, a Web site striving to offer other aspiring Webmasters Internet Marketing and Business Insight.
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