Free classified ad sites are not free! Now that is a strange statement, as I have been using them, and they are. Yes they are, in the sense that, you do not have to pay out any money to use them, but you still need to look at your (ROI) return on investment.
What I am saying here is that your ROI is your time, signing up to these sites, designing your advert, placing it in the most effective category, and monitoring the advert's effectiveness. If you think this can be done without thought, and by placing many ads per day, in the hope of success, then your wasting your time. I call this hope marketing.
Now the savvy ad-poster utilizes his time effectively to get the best out of his advertising. You need to look at each stage individually to see where you can improve, to maximise your click through rate, and ultimately your time and success rate. The more potential customers that come to your site, the more chance you have of a sale.
So lets look at the post your going to place first. Invariably, all free classified ad sites are the same, in their layout.
Heading - Description - Picture - Website, blog or Affiliate link
The heading is the most important attraction you can make to get someone to click on your advert. Consider appropriate keywords associated with your product and what is the benefit and hunger it will provide for them. People don't buy because they need a product, they buy because they, want or desire it. You must provide that desire in a few words. When someone is searching on the Internet search engines most of them ask a question ' How do I... , How can I.., Where can I..,' etc. Utilize this in your Heading and it will be more effective. For example if someone asked the question 'How can I improve my writing skills' your Heading could be 'How to Dramatically Improve Your Writing Skills'. The keyword phrase here is 'writing skills'. We not only are telling them how we can improve their writing skills we are telling them we can do it 'Dramatically'. Desire accomplished.
The description does not have to be long, but it again, needs to quench their thirst. This is your opportunity to capture them. A sales letter tip is to play on our senses. Touch, Hearing, Taste, Sight and Thought. An opening to your description, would therefore, be better-enhanced utilizing one or more of the senses. For example 'Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel that touches the heart of the reader to make them laugh or cry, then... ' Think long and hard to make your description effective.
A picture tells a thousand words, and it is true. By placing an appropriate desire picture in the advert, they will be drawn to it, to investigate further. Look at magazines and other ads to see what attracts you, and do the same. But keep within copyright laws.
I personally think that your link to your website, blog or affiliate site does not have to be a spectacular .com address. For one thing the address can be hidden within the wording, such as 'Click Here', and people are aware and used to long links. Don't fall into the trap thinking that people are stupid.
Free classified ads do work, but choose the sites wisely. When searching try to be more specific to your niche market, by adding, in this case 'writing' to your search, and see what comes up.
To be effective, you need to sign up to a number of these sites, and start placing your advertisement. Initially it will take you a bit of time, but if you keep a record of your username, password, advert, and bookmark them, then it will make it a lot quicker the next time.
You may find restrictions on the number of adverts you can place in a given time. By being aware of their terms and conditions, your postings should be as frequent as possible. The reason being that most free classified ad sites delete your ad after 30 days, which is one of their limitations, the other being, it will descend from the top position fairly quickly.
Saying that; if used wisely and with a bit of organisation on your part, they can work to your advantage. Keeping a schedule of your submissions and posting regularly will not only reward you with results. As a side issue, they are, a valuable source of back-links.
Are your adverts effective? You won't know unless you test and change them. Even a small change, can produce significant results. By changing your advert slightly to see what works, and at which sites you get the best response from, you are increasing your traffic. If necessary try new sites. Use Google Analytics on your site. Your ROI is your time, so use it wisely.
The use of free classified ad sites is only one source of advertising. There are many effective ways to market yourself, increasing your popularity using other forms of advertising, and selling strategies. For more information you may wish to view my blog site at http://gemsimplymarketing.blogspot.co.uk.
Philip Moggridge
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