Learn How to Get Referrals

An E-mail signature usually consists of linked text. The text should be something to catch the readers attention or peak their curiosity. The link should be to your blog, lens, or social network.
Since I am an avid g-mail user I will mention that there is no easy way to add a link to your signature. I add the url to my Blog anyways even though it is not clickable. The other alternative to g-mail signatures, is to create a draft e-mail with your linked signature and copy/paste it every time you E-mail. I am not going to reinvent the wheel by telling you everything you need to know about email signatures since there are already some great resources available for you.

http://coolsig.com offers proverbial sayings for your emails.
http://www.ibdguy.com/signature Basic Html Online Signature Creator

I will tell you this is an free advertising opportunity that should not be passed up. I have gotten referral in strange places, like asking information about a product, etc... without even thinking about referrals.

First off for beginners, I will briefly explain how to create a forum signature using BBC Code. There is usually a spot in the forum for your profile or user cp, this is where the signature area is. Here is How you would post a signature link [url=http://yoursite.com]Your Text[/url]. Now every post you make will have your signature link in it.

Here a couple of Forum etiquette tips

1. Do not Hijack another users post. This is what a Hijacked post looks like; User "I Joined xyz program and I am making good money";Hijackers post "I joined xyz also, here is my link." This is considered rude and improper etiquette.

2. Do not spam forums your link is already in your signature, your posts should be helpful or informative

Tips to make the most out of your forum posts

1. Do not just promote one program or banner. The program maybe gone tomorrow. Promote your blog or social network instead. Forum posts have a way of sticking around forever.

2. Promote yourself, use a picture of yourself instead of an avatar. It shows you stand behind what you are saying and/or promoting. Your picture also brings a human element to the post.

3. Be creative with your signature line, think about what catches your attention when reading others signature lines or ads. Here is a mini hint the words warning or stop seams to always catch readers attention.

4. You can create a signature line on any type of forum be it gardening, cooking, automotive, so do not limit yourself Business forums.

5. If you are dying to post a banner create one for your blog or social network on one of the many free banner creator websites
If you are looking for some place to start, you can actually search forums by keywords at BoardTracker.com

Get Referrals using Social Networks. First of all, every social network has either a profile page or place to put your signature line, so essentially every move you make on a social network will either drive traffic directly to you, or make you blog more search engine friendly.
The rules of etiquette for social networks are basically the same as forum posting. Try to find popular topics to comment on, comment on blogs, create a blog. They are called "Social" networks for a reason.
Everyone already knows about myspace and facebook, but did you know there are also some "Social Networks" that actually pay? Visit my blog on "Paid Social Networks" for details.

Until this point all of my posts could be applied to any program. This post is specifically catering to free business ops.
There are several referral exchange programs and they all work on the basic same premises. You must take some sort of action to earn credits. In turn you use the credits to buy referrals for your own opportunities. Actions include but are not limited to Joining someone else's OP,clicking links,and referring people
Here are several programs I am aware of, there are probably more out there

Getref.com - This is actually my favorite, I have also written a getref tutorial if you decide to use this program

Star Referrals

ProgramRefs

SimpleRefs

It is not necessary to join all of these programs, just choose one and stick with it.

Yes this is an interesting one I learned to use when I was marketing my Lingerie business (www.ladystrange.com). I actually have not played with this in awhile - so excuse the example link I show you, it has some outdated programs , etc... Here is my example business Link Free Money Online this particular list is located at Kaboodle. Here is another example at Kaboodle a little less boring Ladystrange Lingerie.

Now that I woke you up, the point is to be creative, and really try to think outside the box when it comes to promoting your program to get referrals or make sales.

A little more on how Kaboodle works. You download a little toolbar thing and you can add anything on any webpage to your wishlist but simply clicking the add to kaboodle. As you are adding the item, kaboodle pulls the surrounding text and gives you a selection of text to add to your pics. There is absolutely no html involved, great for newbies.

Note This is a shopping social network and to get others to comment on stuff, well you have to get some friends and comment on thier stuff.

You are able to post affilliate links with products such as amazon, click bank, and more. But if you have your own blog it is better to to add your blog to kaboodle. Kaboodle does provide valuable backlinks to your homepages. Kaboodle also provides you with an rss of your list, so you can virtually post it anywhere. If you drive traffic to your rss, kaboodle will rank your listings higher.

Well I hope I have opened your creative juices with this one.

Hmmm, I wonder if I could Kaboodle my squidoo lens?

I bet there is some big hitter seo guys that don't know this trick. I think you are going to love me for this one.

This is more of a traffic and back link trick for your blog or website. I will will be hurt if someone uses this trick for 1 program like neobux or something stupid.

Here is what you do. Log into your amazon account, click on your profile. Create a profile and do not forget to add your website url. For immediate exposure write a review. A review is not necessary though, go in and start tagging products related to your website. For example my website is a lingerie website so my tags are all like sexy,erotic,lingerie, etc. Now I will show you the proof. Checkout this out
google search

I so happen to buy a computer monitor and write a review about it, even though it was irrelevant to my content. I received a 3 star rating and it was a popular product, I was able to snarf even more exposure.

If you decide to do a review at amazon. People really want to know how much you paid, because the prices fluctuate so much there, they want to know if it is a good deal or not, or weather they should wait a couple days to purchase.

Anyways I hope you are impressed with my little traffic driving technique.I think it is clever anyways

P.S. You get a back link for each and every tag, wishlist, review, etc at amazon.

Happy referral hunting

A down line builder is a program that consists of several programs all rolled up into one. Usually it works like this; Join the down line builder, sign up for all of the programs within it, then you are given a duplicate down line website (with all of your referral urls in place), use your new website to gain more referrals.

Down line builders are perfect for newbies that do not yet have a blog.

I personally am only familiar with down line builders for PTC websites. But I have seen others for different online businesses. Just Google down line builder and the name of your program, and one should pop up.

PTC & Free Money Referral Down line Builders
Free Money Team
PTC Team.org
Marketing Pond
Global Team Club

Business Cards are still a great way to attract new referrals. Lets face not everyone is as internet savvy as we are. Many people just check email and send each other jokes. As a matter of fact Internet newbies actually make more eager referrals as they have not been scammed to death yet.

A little work in the tutorial/introduction sections of your pages and you have some eager referrals raring to go.

I put business cards all over the place. I tape them in public bathroom stalls, on the mirrors,at laundry mats, on any bulletin board I see. You can stick them under windshield wipers.

Online Business Ops come up naturally,often. It is just good business practice to keep these on hand.

Flyers can also be used like business cards. On the subject of flyers I really must bring up Treasure Trooper. When I first read through this program, I was impressed with their information on flyers and their automatic flyer feature. I was motivated by this and have used flyers on many of occasions to promote programs.