Expose Yourself On Amazon.com

If you're an e-business owner then you're probably looking for traffic. Have you considered exposing yourself and your business on Amazon.com?

If you're an Amazon seller or shopper you've probably noticed customer reviews on many of the items for sale there. Have you written any reviews? If you've purchased an item from Amazon you've probably received an email from the company asking you to leave a review and rate the product. Actually, you don't have to have even purchased an item from Amazon to leave a review. Many people who buy items elsewhere and either love or hate them add their product reviews on the Amazon website. Have you?

If you haven't, you're missing out on some great exposure. But before you head to your favorite products, look for the "Your Account" link at the top right of any Amazon.com page. From there, scroll down to "Personalization" where you'll find a "Your Public Profile" link. On that page you can add your nickname, upload a picture, talk a little bit about yourself, and even leave a link to your website. It's that last part you should get excited about. Include the link you want people to see first, your home page link, blog link, or even your Squidoo profile page link.

Once you've completed and saved your profile, start writing product reviews, maybe a couple a day. Be honest by reviewing based on first-hand knowledge of books or appliances or shoes or computers or golf clubs or gadgets you've actually used and, preferably, own. Be specific in your reviews in order to make them useful for shoppers evaluating items for purchase; those same people will rate your review as useful or not and the most useful reviews rise to the top and are more likely to be read.

There's no guarantee that someone will click through on your name in the review to look at your profile, but as a shopper I know that I've done so and I would expect someone, sometime, to click through on my name as well.

By contributing to the Amazon shopping community with product reviews, you may end up exposing yourself and your business to your next biggest customer.

Good idea? I think so. What do you think?

P.S. Use good keywords in your reviews. You do know that product reviews show up in search engines, right?

How to Use SquidZippers to Promote Your Business

Today's new post on the SquidU Review features lensmaster Kim Giancaterino and the brilliant way she uses Squidoo's front-door template, SquidZippers to promote her local, real-life business.

Kim's a notary public who has made numerous SquidZipper lenses to help clients find her and to help find new clients.

If you have an in-person business that needs promoting, don't miss this interview. I believe you'll be inspired to give SquidZippers a try.

Raise Your Hand if You've Done This On Squidoo

I mean today. If you've promoted another lensmaster in any way, today, raise your hand.

If your hand is in the air, pat yourself on the back. If your hand isn't, read on.

Where can you promote another lensmaster?

• On the SquidU forum in the "Lenses we like" category.
  
• On twitter. Tweet a link to a lens and tell why you like it. (If you're not on twitter yet, please join today. You'll be glad you did.)
  
• On your blog. You do have a blog, don't you?
  
• On one of your own lenses. Add a Featured Lenses module or a Featured Lensmasters module. Choose a lensmaster you admire and show and tell everyone why you do.
  

Why should you promote another lensmaster or someone else's lens?

• To give back. Chances are some lensmaster has helped you on Squidoo, somewhere along the line. Now it's your turn to help somebody else.
  
• To build community and credibility. What's good for one lensmaster is good for the entire Squidoo community. Not only will you boost traffic, you'll boost Squidoo's reputation as a group of givers.
  
• To build your own reputation, even your own brand. Being known as a giver on Squidoo is a great thing. People will remember you and seek you out. Plus, it makes you feel really good about yourself.
  
• Because Megan and Seth said so. The Giants had a telephone conference recently and this is part of the advice that was given to us in answer to the question, "What can we do for Squidoo?" It was a great answer.
  

Put lensmaster promotion on your daily to-do list. It only takes a minute or two each day. Make it a habit. Then pat yourself on the back 'cause you deserve it!