Promotion World Informer --- Issue #79

=============================================================

The Promotion World Informer
Issue #79      September 13, 1999

ISSN 1488-1675
Edited by David Martin - http://www.promotionworld.com
=============================================================

Part of The Developers Starting Point Network 

HostReview.com 
The CGI Directory 
WebKnowHow.Net 
JavaScript Search 
HTML Primer 

=============================================================


This issue of the Informer is sponsored by:

*************************************************************
*************************************************************

Add Private Label Email to Your Site
http://www.everyone.net?DM=09z_pwi

Want to increase revenue and traffic to your site?
Everyone.net gives you the only free, turnkey email
service with total control of your brand, colors,
and ads. You can set up an email service in less
than 1 hour, with no calls to make, or approvals.
Add email and get more traffice and revenue now!
Visit http://www.everyone.net?DM=09z_pwi

*************************************************************
*************************************************************

Now with over 6669 subscribers!
Advertising Information --> http://www.promotionworld.com/ sponsor.shtml


=============================================================

Contents Of This Issue:

        - Editor's Notes
        - Cool Quotes
        - Answers
        - Free Stuff on the Web
        - Sponsor Message
        - Sites in the Spotlight
        - Offline Site Promotion
        - A Small Request
        - Misc. Information

==================== Editor's Notes =========================

Hello

I recently became aware of a company called RealNames that many of you may
already be familar with. They provide Keyword registration to be used within MS
Internet Explorer and several search engines. The idea is that instead of having
to use URL's to find your site, users will be able to type in keyword(s) that
you have purchased for a $100 fee. There are limitations to the keywords that
can be bought and they must relate directly to the type of site you have. Check
them out at http://www.realnames.com to see if its something that might help
build traffic for your web site. I'm curious to know if any readers have already
purchased keywords from RealNames. If so, let me know how it is working for you.

In this issue Kim Skinner of AdvertisingTips.Net provides some answers to some
common questions relating to web development and promotion. We also have an
interesting look at free stuff on the web by Don Cirillo.

The Informer is sent only to those who have expressly
requested it. If you no longer wish to receive it, simply
follow the simple unsubscribe instructions at the end of this
newsletter.


======================= Cool Quotes =========================

1. "The Internet is a great way to get on the Net."
--- Republican  presidential candidate Bob Dole.

2. "The streets are safe in Philadelphia.  It's only the people who make  them
unsafe."
-- Frank Rizzo, ex-police chief and
mayor of  Philadelphia.

3. "The president has kept all of the promises he intended to keep."
 -- Clinton aide George Stephanopolous,
        speaking on "Larry King Live".

4. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, And that
has made all the difference."
--Robert Frost

5. You can't tell - but you can sell - a book by its cover.
-- The Wall Street Journal


======================== Answers ==========================


"Answers" by Kim Skinner of AdvertisingTips.Net


We've arranged to bring you some weekly tips,
taken directly from "Answers", Kim Skinner's
daily  Q $ A e-zine. To subscribe, send any e-mail to:
.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\
Question #1

Where can I find a script, preferably free, that will allow
me to set up an affiliate program that anyone can join for
free, find FREE eBooks, email the author, and if the author
lists with us (which is of course free), then the affiliates
will gain points.  Once they reach a certain number of
points I will reward them with a FREE eBook Compilation so
they can save a buck or two on eBook Software and Design.
Any ideas?

To your success,

Chayden Bates
Ideaman & Webmaster
http://www.the-ebook-directory.com
mailto:webmaster@the-ebook-directory.com


ANSWER

It sounds like you basically need a reseller or self-replicating
script, Chayden. Not hard to find online, however free is a
different story. =)

There are a few places you can go to run a reseller program for
free, such as ClickBank, but the problem for YOU would be that
you're not offering a monetary commission, but points instead.

So, I set off in search of an affordable self-replicating system
for you. I found a page full of them at the CGI Resource Directory.



(This URL may be too long to fit on some of your screens. If it's
broken up, copy it and paste it into your browser, leaving out the
brackets.)

On this page, you'll find a few programs that vary from free to
$795.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\
Question #2

I have seen so many submission services for search engines, and different
prices I don't mind paying for submissions, but which company should I use
?????? and should this be done once a month or once every 2 months ????,
and they say that to be in the top 10 they should be hand submitted, how
true is this thanks Dave


ANSWER

If by 'submission services' you mean the 1000's of sites
that offer to submit your URL to 100, 400, 1000, 15,000,
etc. search engines, my advice is don't use any of them,
Dave.

Let me ask YOU a question. In all your time online, how
may search engines have you visited? I don't know what
your answer is, but I'm willing to bet that it isn't 400.

Personally, I have two that I visit on a regular basis.
I use Alta Vista for abstract searches, and for business
related searches, I use BizBot. That's it!

There is absolutely no reason to pay someone to submit
your site to hundreds of search engines that no one uses.
There...I've said it.

If you feel that you absolutely MUST submit your site to
that many, you'd be better off purchasing a submission
program yourself. You can get one for around $50 and
then use it as many times as you like. Besides, that's
how 95% of these 'submission services' submit your site,
anyway.

However, I must tell you, there are really only 8 search
engines that you should submit your site to. They are:

AltaVista -------- http://www.altavista.com
Excite ----------- http://www.excite.com
HotBot ----------- http://www.hotbot.com
InfoSeek --------- http://www.infoseek.com
Lycos ------------ http://www.lycos.com
Northern Light --- http://www.northernlight.com
WebCrawler ------- http://www.webcrawler.com
Yahoo ------------ http://www.yahoo.com

And yes, you should submit to them manually, or by hand.
Why? Because each search engine requires different info
from you to index your page. And, from what I've read
lately, some search engines don't even accept automated
submissions anymore.

To submit to the sites above will take you less than an
hour. Submit your site about every 3 months, and you'll
be fine.


================== Free Stuff on the Web! ===================

GIVING AWAY FREE STUFF ON THE NET IS BIG BUSINESS!

Internet giveaways are getting new online businesses off the ground.  And many
small businesses are becoming big businesses by offering profitable freebies on
their web sites.

Adam Prentice 25, quit his technical support job for Compaq Computer.  He
decided to risk it all and jumped into an online business venture. Realizing the
intense competition for Web customers, Prentice came up with the perfect battle
plan .  He was going to draw Web surfers to his site in droves with the
perfect price for over a 1000 products.  NOTHING!

His site totallyfreestuff.com ( http://www.totallyfreestuff.com ) links visitors
to giveaways on hundreds of other sites ranging from bath soap to computer virus
protection.

Prentice's site and sites like his are a huge magnet for Web surfers.  Despite
his generosity and lack of price tags, Prentice estimates his income from the
site this year will be $70,000.

The income comes from advertisers who are willing to pay big bucks to take
advantage of the sites numerous visitors.  The bargain hunters look at the
site's advertising, supply contact information and buy related products.

Another online company Freemania ( http://www.freemania.net) gives away free
space.  A product called Free Drive, which gives computer users free storage
space for their files on the Internet, rather than using their hard drive.

Many businesses giveaway free software and services to lure people into buying
premium versions of their products.

Efax.com (http://www.efax.com ), for example offers a free service that enables
people to receive faxes as e-mail file attachments.  They signed up over a
million customers.  Many of which upgraded to their premium service at $2.95 per
month, which enables them to send faxes as e-mail attachments.

The tremendous enticement of offering giveaways on your Web site cannot be
overstated. .  Dangling a carrot of free stuff on your site could be exactly
what your business needs take it to the next level.


Don Cirillo
CFI
Crash Course: Create Web Pages
With Irresistible Ad Copy That makes The Sale!
http://www.cfiweb.com/sell-more.html


******************** Sponsor Message ************************

Web Hosting: $7.95 per month

Cedant Hosting Solutions offer full featured web hosting from
$7.95 per month. All accounts receive a free two week trial
and no set up fees. Visit us at 


*************************************************************


=================== Sites in the Spotlight ==================

Here are a few sites that may be of interest to you:

The Web Resign Resource 
If you're looking for web development information, this is an excellent source
of information.

Solution Scripts 
Several very nice CGI scripts to add to your site. Some cost $, but there are
afew freeware scripts available.

JavaScript City 
Need JavaScripts or related information? Check out this very good site.


******************** Sponsor Message ************************

Start your own affiliate program! The Affiliate Program
Software includes everything you need to set up and maintain
an affilate progam. Click on the link below to find out more:


*************************************************************


================= Offline Site Promotion ====================

18 LOW-COST MARKETING TOOLS YOU CAN USE
TO PROMOTE YOUR WEB SITE OFFLINE!

By Charles M. Morelli
(c)1999 CMMEI - All Rights Reserved.

Here are some low-cost items you can create and give away to attract attention
to your Web site:

1) MONEY-SAVING CERTIFICATES/COUPONS - Use your computer to create a discount
coupon that is redeemable for $10 or more off any online purchase. Distribute
them anywhere where people congregate.

2) NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE ARTICLES - Create and submit a short "how-to" article that
contains useful material to various publication editors.  You can reach
thousands of potential customers for the price of a few stamps and envelopes!

3) "HOW-TO" BROCHURES - People love freebies, especially ones that can improve
their lives.  If you're running a computer repair service, for example, you
could give away a free computer maintenance guide with special discount coupons.

4) LOCAL CHARITY TIE-INS - Donate a FREE product or service to one or more local
charities as a raffle prize.  You'll receive a lot of attention and exposure
among people who purchase tickets or attend the event.

5) BUMPER STICKERS - Use your computer and some special labels to make bumper
stickers that display a brief message and your Web site address.

6) BUSINESS CARDS - Put your Web address on your business cards, and on
yourletterhead, postcards, envelopes, etc.

7) BUTTONS - Companies such as Badge-A-Minit (www.badgeaminit.com)
offerinexpensive button-making kits.  Put your Web address and even a discount
code on each button, so they can be redeemed when they order online.

8) HATS - Have some hats printed with your Web address and wear one yourself to
create some free exposure!  You can also give them away as free gifts.

9) I.D. IT! PLATES - These are custom name plates that stick on the back of your
car or truck. These plates can display phone numbers, e-mail addresses, or any
other business information.

10) T-SHIRTS - Wear the shirts yourself to generate exposure, or give them away
as freebies. Use a color inkjet printer, desktop publishing software, and some
transfer paper to make them.

11) GREETING CARDS - Use greeting card software and some specialty paper, to
make personalized greeting cards as you need them. You could send a customer a
birthday or holiday greeting card that displays your Web address and any special
offers!

12) RUBBER STAMPS - Have a custom rubber stamp made at a local print shop so you
can stamp your Web address on EVERYTHING you use for correspondence.

13) FAX-ON-DEMAND - Use Fax-On-Demand to store info about your Web site. Anyone
with a fax can get more information about your Web site, products, and services,
24 hours a day.

14) ANSWERING MACHINES/VOICEMAIL - When you ask people to leave a message, you
should also tell them your Web address and any special offers.

15) ENVELOPES - Have envelopes printed with your Web address on the back (along
with a short slogan or product/service "plug").

16) PHONE CARDS - Purchase pre-paid phone cards or create custom-printed calling
cards that display your Web address.

17) REMINDER STICKERS - Create "SAVE YOUR DATA!" stickers for computer users to
stick on their monitor screens.  They'll be reminded to back-up their data and
will see YOUR Web address every time they look at their computer
screens.

18) CEILING POSTERS - Use a color inkjet printer to create appealing photos or
mini-posters of mountain views, beaches, forests, outer space scenes, etc.

Print your Web address on the poster at the bottom right corner in a highly
visible ink color.  Make a few copies and distribute them to blood banks,
hospitals, and any other facility (such as a dentist's office) that requires
people to lie on their backs for an extended period of time.

These are just a few inexpensive marketing tools you can use to promote your Web
site. Use your imagination...If you can think of other low-cost marketing
tools...Use them!

WWW.CMMEI.COM offers Internet business products, services, opportunities, and
freebies. For more info pertaining to some of the special items listed in this
article, please visit: www.cmmei.com and go to the "Products" and/or
"Services" Web pages.


===================== A Small Request =======================

If you enjoy reading this newsletter each week, why not tell
a friend about it? Even better, why don't you recommend The
Informer on a discussion list? The more subscribers there
are, the more time I am able to justify spending on creating
valuable content for you all!

Just tell everyone to subscribe by sending a message to
 with SUBSCRIBE in the BODY
of their message.


==================== Misc. Information ======================

To comment on the issues covered in this week's newsletter,
use the appropriate forum on our Discussion Boards.


Browse the archives at 

If you are looking for some good advertising deals, you might
like to consider Promotion World and the Informer as places
to advertise.


To subscribe put SUBSCRIBE in the BODY of an email to


To unsubscribe put REMOVE in the BODY of an email to


I appreciate all your mail with your comments and
suggestions!


Newsletter Credits:

David Martin, Editor



Don Cirillo
Crash Course: Create Web Pages


Kim Skinner


Charles M. Morelli



And now for the mandatory legal stuff:

This newsletter is copyright 1999 David Martin.
No part may be reproduced in any way without prior
permission. The only exception being you may freely forward
this newsletter to your friends and associates *only if* it
is in its unmodified entirety.