If you’ve been utilizing internet marketing for any length of time, you probably know by now that the best way to get a potential client’s attention is to give them valuable information that is in no way a sales pitch. Yep, that’s right. The best way to sell is to not sell.

Social media expert Chris Brogan stumbled across a vivid example of the above statement the other day. As he was Googling local gyms, he found one he liked and was able to contact them when he saw an option to write a review of his choice. So he wrote a review, clicked submit, and up popped his comments, right there for all to see. Next to his review was a link to his Google profile, also readily accessible to anyone who cared to check it out. To read Brogan’s full post, click here: http://www.chrisbrogan.com/get-your-google-profile-tidied-up/.

You probably don’t have time to go around writing reviews on everything under the sun, and quite frankly, some people won’t care enough to click through to your site. If you’re a florist reviewing a healthcare product, for example, you likely won’t get many results. After all, most people who are looking for healthcare products want information about healthcare, not flowers. Which is why, if you want to use this free advertising method, you should be selective about what you review. If you’re a bookkeeper who targets small business owners, maybe you should try Googling the latest and greatest bookkeeping products, including books and software that you’re familiar with. Write your own review, giving your expert stance on the ins and outs of that particular product, and a potential client just might think, “Hey, this person really knows their stuff. What’s this? They offer bookkeeping services? Hmm, I never thought about outsourcing my bookkeeping before. Maybe I should check them out…” They visit your website, fall deeply in love with the idea of having you take over their bookkeeping, and form a long-term business relationship with you. Okay, so that’s the fairytale version, but it could happen!

The point is that there are many options available to get your name out there without spending a dime, and you’d be wise to take advantage of as many as possible.