Do you want to reach millions of potential customers for  FREE! Well,  you can if you know how.   The Internet,  that  massive network of thousands of computers around the world,  also  know as the "Information Super Highway," is your ticket to generating free leads and sales.

But  beware the Internet is  generally VERY MUCH AGAINST  ANY COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY.  The Internet was originally set up by the government for individuals and universities to have a  massive database of information. 

The Internet has pretty much gotten out of control with its explosive  growth  over  the past few months and years.

The  Internet is know basically  as  an  Anarchy.  There  isn't really any how runs and regulates the Internet, at lleast not for now.   So pretty much anything goes on the Net.  But beware that there are several thousand Net users who  have  self-appointed themselves as the Net Police.  

The Net users have been know to devastate  other Net users if they do not  follow  their rules.

The rules are pretty basic:  only post in areas that are related to your message, and DO NOT ADVERTISE! The world we live in is a very  commercial one,   and it was only a matter of time   when someone realized that a vehicle, like the Internet, that had the capability to reach millions could be used to promote business.

And  so people began to conduct business on the Net  by  placing ads and sending unsolicited E-mail letters.

Several  of these advertisers were in for a big surprise.  Many of  them have received thousands of hate mail letters known  as "flames." Their boxes were overflowed with hate mail that a  lot of them were forced to go out of business online. Many of these self-appointed net policeman have even developed blacklists for advertisers.   These lists are then sent to thousands  of  Net users and they can send these blacklist members hate mail  until they  leave the Net.  So some forms of advertising is frowned upon on the Net and it makes several people very angry.

But  that doesn't mean that there is not a RIGHT way to  do  it. There are little unknown advertising  newsgroups on the  Internet  where advertising is actually welcome.   You can place ads in these sections and have confidence that you  will  get some good response from them, and not much hate mail if any.

These advertising  newsgroups are:

       alt.forsale

       alt.business.import-export

       alt.business.misc

       aol.misc-ads

       alt.make.money.fast

       biz.comp.software

       biz.comp.services

       biz.general

       biz.misc

       biz.next.newprod

       misc.forsale

       misc.entrepreneurs

       ns.forsale

THERE  ARE SEVERAL MORE IF YOU DO SOME HUNTING FOR THEM.   THERE ARE NEW NEWSGROUPS ADDED DAILY, AND SOME MAY WELCOME YOUR ADS.

These  newsgroups have several sub topics for you  to  advertise in.

You can do some careful "digging" on the Internet and find some hidden areas to advertise in also if you look.

These  newsgroups have the ability to be seen by millions,  and for FREE!

Your ad will last about two weeks in each of these  groups, at this time you should re-post your ads.

Keep track of your individual ad response.  You may find some areas are extremely good for your business,  and some aren't.

You  will save time and money just concentrating  on  the good ones.

DO NOT JUST PLACE ADS ANYWHERE! Although you possibly could make some money by placing ads in all kinds of  newsgroups,   it will not outweigh the trouble you will  go  through   to  get  it.

There is no reason to anger several thousand people just to make a few  bucks.  You'll make a  lot more if you  use   good "netiquette" and develop a good Internet  reputation  for your business.   If you are into Online Business do it for the  long run, and you will be much better off.   As more and more people come  online everyday,  you eventually be able to reach more and more potential customers.

One other way to do advertising, is sort of a "sneaky" but often welcomed  way.  Kind of like of press release, or editorial new product feature.  "Donate" a nice article to one of the relevant topics in common with your business.   Then at the end of  your contributed  article give a SHORT AND  CONCISE  "plug"  for you product or service.  Let them contact you for more information.

Do not use the ad to do the selling, do that with information you will send them later.

You can also create what is called a "sig file" which stands for signature file. This is a footer that is added to the bottom of all of your posts.   Your sig file can have your name, company, e-mail address, and any short  sales message  you would  like others to see.  This is a good place to tell others to e- mai you for more info on what you are marketing.