Hi Mark, et al;
I mentioned earlier that one good, FREE way to promote your site(s) is by posting on select Yahoo, Google and MSN news groups. They provide a great way of networking with like-minded individuals on a global level.
There are literally tens of thousands of groups cover just about every interest imaginable. You can find a directory of the groups here:
Yahoo GroupsGoogle GroupsMSN GroupsOnce you've narrowed down which groups(s) you'd like to join and you've become a member, you're ready to begin posting.
If the group has a Links section, be sure to add yours to it. As a courtesy, your initial post should be introductory - a brief hello is usually best, depending on the group. Let the members know who you are and a little about your interests before you start advertising yourselves and/or your site(s).
What you post really depends on your site's content. I run a lot of political and news-oriented web sites, so I usually post links to my latest articles and a brief summary of each. I get a LOT of hits this way. Designers and developers might want to make posts about trends in web design/development, post advice, ask questions, or just join in on the general chit chat. You might even ask people to take a look at a site you're developing to get opinions.
Try to make at least one post a week.
Always make it a point to
include a link to your site whenever you make a post. The best place to put it is after your signature.
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Another good, free way to promote your sites is to make use of the RSS feeds that XOOPS provides by adding your site's newsfeeds to Yahoo & Google.
Add To GoogleAdd To YahooYour site's feed will be indexed and picked up by other RSS sites and propagated across the Internet.
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"If you build it they will come" doesn't necessarily hold true with web sites. The key to getting people to know about you is exposure - let 'em know you're there. Once they're there, the rest is up to you by continuing to provide quality content and services.
More later...
George