Example of Lost Opportunity

Being visible online, means you probably get more e-mail and inquiries from the masses. In particular folks trying to sell you something. In my case, marketers wanting to place advertisements on my site.

Why my site? Because get found and I get a ton of traffic. Those are the sites that you want your ads on -- the sites that actually get seen! That means your ads have a better chance of being viewed and clicked. Although, IMNSHO, I really wonder how many of us now actually phase out ads and ignore them! I know I do!

Here is an example of one of several similar requests I received yesterday:

"hi,
i was interested in placing a text ad on your site for the site that i am working on. i would like to put it on page: http://www.netmanners.com/email-etiquette-tips.html
for business email and exchange hosting. my budget is pretty limited right now so i could offer you about $25. let me know if your interested when you get this. thanks!

Yikes! Not a single sentence is capitalized. This person is working on a site for business e-mail and hosting but cannot even communicate like a professional.

Needless to say this type of request cannot be taken seriously. And to actually make me an offer of what you can afford? If you are in business you have to realize you need to have the necessary budget to reach realistic goals. "Limited" tells me what one is willing to pay. This makes me wonder what they are wiling to do to backup and support what they are selling -- is that "limited" too? This approach certainly doesn't make a good impression. Delete!

Even if I did accept advertising, which I don't, there would be no way I would have the confidence in a site that approaches me in that manner. When you link or accept advertising for other sites, you are in essence giving a recommendation.

When you are contacting other site owners on business related topics -- it behooves you to use the shift key!