{Inviting them over for tea}

You wouldn't invite a complete stranger over for tea would you? I didn't think so. You would, however, invite a friend or an acquaintance over and of course you would love for them to bring a friend or two. The more the merrier, right?

So why do you think it's any different online? Sure, you don't actually have to serve them tea, but you will be serving them a "cup" of something, whatever you are offering on your website or blog and you want them to bring friends too.

The Internet has made it so easy for anyone to start a business, as I mentioned earlier, that there are millions and millions of people just like you and I that are trying to get people to notice their product, their website, their business. So much that there is constant advertising, spamming, emailing, newsletters, and so on. So how do you stand out from the rest and get noticed?

My first suggestion is to get to know your market. Do your research, find out what "type" of people are in your market. What "social status" category do they fall in? Then you need to start catering your advertisements and social networking to that market. If you are just spamming anywhere and everywhere, sending out unsolicited advertisements, or advertising wherever you can get a spot, then you are wasting your valuable time and money!

So stop wasting time and money and do your homework!

Make a list:

~ Who is your target market?

~ What age group do they fall in?

~ What social status are they likely to fall in?

~ What are their favorite pastimes or hobbies?

~ Who do they socialize with?

Now that you've got a grip on the type of customers you need to be bringing to your site, go out and get them!

How?

Well, make friends, of course. Start socializing, join some groups that fall into the category of your target market. Join a social network that specializes in your market. Start and maintain a blog that reflects your business. Follow other bloggers, who blog about things that fall into your target market. Leaving comments on blogs will drive readers to your blog, which will result in followers of your blog.