Quick Marketing Strategy

Now that I have the Category Sponsorships set up on my discussion forum, and am busy uploading new content (mainly video & audio) to the Elite Members section in the background… I am working on “getting the word out” about both of these new options.

The “hard work” is over (whew!), as I’ve completed the programming and updates to the actual site. But once you get done with the development phase… the “real work” begins

I thought I’d take a moment to outline a Quick Marketing Strategy here, to help me organize my thoughts… and to perhaps spark some ideas for you on your own promotions. This list basically just outlines the initial resources to tap into, prior to any major marketing campaign:

Add an Announcement to my announcements category at the SSWT Forum, giving visitors the details about Elite Membership and a sneak peak at the content inside. (done)
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Add a “Sneak Peak” post to my main blog to give readers an idea of what they will find in the Elite Members section. (done)
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Update Confirmation Pages and Confirmation Emails for my email lists, to include information about the two new options at SSWT. (done)
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Email my lists – with appropriate information & details for each list. (done)
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Email forum members about the new options at the SSWT Forum, using the PHPBB mass email function. (done)
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Update Email Notifications that are sent out by the forum software. These include private message notifications, topic reply notifications, etc. You can edit these files through your control panel (they can be found in the language/email directory) and add a “P.S” note or announcement in each message. (done)
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Update my MySpace Profile to include links to these two options. Since I have a lot of contact with others in ebiz & e-marketing there, this will be a good place to feature these links. I may also use the Bulletin feature to send out the announcement. (done)
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Post a WSO at the Warrior Forum. A WSO is a Warrior Special Offer, where you post a special offer to the Warriors. This is a large targeted and active group…
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Write and Submit Articles, including links and information in the byline. And to make it easier, I am going to take some content I already have written and just edit that to create great new articles for submissions.
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Publish my Forum Feed at Technorati to promote the forum in general. I have some work to do on my feed first as its outdated with all of the growth & changes over the last year. Afterwards I will submit it to Technorati so that posts are automatically included in keyword searches there. I’m sure my members will be happy about the additional exposure to their sig lines! *wink*
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Update my Signature at various discussion forums where I actively participate to feature the newest options at my site.
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Make a list of Contacts to get in touch with about the Category Sponsoring and Private Membership. This will include personal contact for various reasons, such as: giving complimentary access to well-known Mentors, brainstorming with close peers, offering special deals to my “inner circle” who always offer me the same, setting up advertising exchanges with other site/list owners that share my target market, etc.

Obviously I am tapping into resources and assets that I have at my disposal after years of marketing online, and I realize that not everyone will have these same options at hand – especially if you are launching your first promotion.

But basically anyone can post a WSO, submit great articles around the ‘net, get involved in targeted forums, update their MySpace profile and post on their own blog…

This is my “off the top of my head” list to start with, obviously not a full-blown marketing strategy