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Networking
Why network? Simply because it can be a great benefit to you and your company. You can trade information on how to's, trade databases, trade links, barter for services and much more.
Networking is not as difficult as most would have you think. To start, join groups such as Yahoo! Message Boards, Daily Digest and newsgroups.
Yahoo! Message Boards has bulletin boards for different industries, web designs and marketing.
Daily Digest is an email digest where creators come together to help each other.
Newsgroups, either industry related or marketing related, can help you find people to network with.
Discussion Boards/Forums are a fabulous starting point.
Check for offline networking groups to join.
Before creating a site it is good to check out what other industry related sites are doing.
Get ideas of likes and dislikes about other sites to improve your own.
Go to AltaVista search engine and type in your competitors' URL. The results will be a list of sites that are linked to that site. Use this information to find advertisement space that will keep you competitive. If Burger King is utilizing television commercials at 6pm, you can believe that McDonalds is too.
Continue to monitor other sites even after yours is ready for marketing.
Sites of Future Networking Members
When you visit a site you like, send an email complimenting the site. This is a great way to find people to network with.
Email sites in your industry and ask if they'd be willing to do a link exchange [you put a link to their site on yours and they put a link to your site on theirs].
Create a links page on your site. When your site is ready for marketing, email all of the sites listed to inform them you've included their site on your page. Most of the sites will list your site on theirs without you asking for a link back.
Other sites that share your target audience
Purchase banner ads.
Exchange links and/or content.
Exchange space on mailing lists.
Keep in touch with those in your networking group. They can be your greatest asset.
