This is one of the basic facts of the internet. Yet, time and again, I find myself repeating the words "do a search for it" because no one seems to understand the extraordinary amount of options on the internet.
In fact, Google itself has taken advantage of this ignorance by creating its "Ask The Expert" area, in which people can pose a question and FOR A FEE, they will find it. They also allow anyone to add comments so I was posting there-- and couldn't help noticing how many times the Google Experts deleted my comments, which almost always included, in one form or another, the essential message: do a search for it.
So it bears repeating. In short, you can ask for ANYTHING and, with a few noteable exceptions, find it on the internet. Plus, if you try hard enough, you can probably find most things for free, too. (Please note: This is a mainstream, business column. So the term "anything" may seem limited by those who frequent the fringe areas of the internet.)
Of course, the most obvious noteable exception is asking for money-- in any way, shape or form. Wouldn't you know it. In fact, while search requests such as "I want money" WILL generate massive responses, that's only because so many sites (over a billion) want YOUR money. Hmmm... Perspective is everything.
Okay. Now, with all the quantifiers out of the way, what I'm trying to say is that you CAN find virtually anything you want on the internet-- and, very often, for free. This is especially true for anything informational-, internet- or marketing-related.
Want free leads? Lots of places offer them. How about a free website-- do a search and you'll see. What about a free host? Free Domain name? Free traffic? In fact, just about anything a marketer's little heart desires can be found for free by just doing a search.
And, of course, "free" can be a relative term, because while the "givers" may not charge a direct monetary fee, there may be strings attached-- like carrying their advertisements or creating a reciprocal link exchange, all of which is perfectly fair and may be acceptable to the "receiver" of such gifts. The only time the ethics are questionable are instances when the "giver" is in anyway deceitful about the situation: for instance, sites that include "spyware" with their "free" gift. That's an entirely different animal.--mo
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