Affiliate marketing can be a very hands-on way to advertise at first. You will need to contact the owners of other businesses and discuss with them your idea of advertising with and for them. Details will need to be ironed out and in that you will need to contact them.

Maybe you are not doing affiliate marketing, but simply want to see about placing your business on someone else’s page, or do a print version of a coupon. If you want to be coupled with another company, this is known as cross-advertising. For all of these ways, you initially have to start somewhere – and that starting somewhere always starts with dealing with a person.

Personally I like to call the other companies and have an initial discussion. This then generally leads to a meeting that will be scheduled during this initial call. There are some cases where there is not a phone available to speak with someone live and you will get a recording. It is at this time I choose to send an email outlining what I am looking for, how I think I could help them and how they could help me. At either of these initial contacts I never mention money unless the other party brings it to the table – generally they won’t.

If you are contacting a site regarding advertising, then take the time to look at their page, get a feel for what they are about and make sure that you contact the correct person. Often times people will send an email to a secretary or web master or anyone else they come across, and in this sometimes it can take several weeks to receive an appropriate response. This in the end lends a hand to miscommunication.

Most pages will have a link for contacting their advertising or marketing department, and it is this link you want to use. Very importantly, if you are asked to contact someone else, immediately take the information and say thank you. There is no sense in continuing forward with this person as they will be unable to help you further.

When contacting anyone, have a little bit of history regarding their company and products and what they offer. Also have a good set of notes or non-invasive sales pitch, so to speak, about advertising with them and your reasons why.

Don’t stumble and grasp for words. You will want to be clear and concise in your questions or suggestions. Upon your initial meeting, whether by phone or email, always ask if you can make an appointment to discuss what you would like to discuss. Let the other party go forward, whether they are willing to discuss at that moment or to set a time for later. This gives them a temporary lead and room to make the decision to either talk now or later.

Lastly, it is said that the way you are dressed will reflect upon the impression you leave on a person, whether it be by phone or email. In dealing with business of any kind, unless you have obtained a familiarity, it will help if you dress the part. Mentally you will automatically swing into business mode.