Holy cow, how time flies! It seems like only a week ago when I started this series and already five weeks have gone by. I want to thank everyone who has sent me kind words and I hope that everyone who has read the series has gotten something out of it.[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]

Holy cow, how time flies! It seems like only a week ago when I started this series and already five weeks have gone by. I want to thank everyone who has sent me kind words and I hope that everyone who has read the series has gotten something out of it. It has been a real pleasure doing this and I look forward to doing other articles exclusively for YNOT News so be on the lookout in future issues. [Editor’s note: Be sure to bookmark this series!]

Now, on to the last installment of this series… traffic and how important it is for your website.

As I said last week, no matter how hot and no matter how well designed your site is, without traffic, you have a masterpiece that nobody sees. I want to take a little time to discuss link list etiquette. Link lists are hugely important to you and your success. The traffic is free and if done properly, can be long-lasting. Common sense will tell you that as much as you think your site is perfect you need to pay attention to each list owners’ rules.

Mistakes to Avoid

I run an open link list and you would not believe how many times I get an email asking why a person’s site was not approved. I look at the site in question and often the answer is so simple that I know for a fact that the inquirer never read the rules. Follow the rules each and every time you submit a site. If you cheat, in many cases you will get caught. If you get caught you most likely will get blacklisted. If that happens, you will have lost that traffic forever or at least until you have done some serious ass-smooching. Why do they have rules you ask? Because they want them, and guess what, it is their site and their prerogative. It does not matter if you think their rules are silly or unfair, if you want their traffic, you need to go by their rules.

Mistake number two is running right out and getting that wonderful software called “Auto Submitter.” I will tell you that more and more list owners are not accepting sites by auto submitters. The reason is really a simple one. An auto submission program can not read the rules. Take it from an owner. We get plenty of spam without everyone including their gallery or site in their auto submit list and the first thing we see is that the site did not follow the rules. Most lists now have a graphic code that you have to enter to process the submission. Submitters and “bots” can not read it and your submission just gets tossed in the dumper.

Mistake number three is not taking the time to get to know the list owner. Now, I don’t mean calling him or emailing 50 times within an hour to see if your site is listed. I mean replying to his email thanking him for listing you, and writing him a very brief email telling him how much you appreciate the traffic. Don’t expect an answer. Many list owners are incredibly busy – especially the big ones. They deal with hundreds of submissions a day in many cases and just don’t have time. It does not mean that thanking them will go unnoticed, it just means you may not realize they do.

Dealing with Rejection Notices

Rule number one with dealing with these is not to fire off an email calling the list owner a prima-donna and telling him his list sucks. Doing this is senseless and will cause you loads of trouble. Piss them off enough and they’ll ICQ the big name list owners and you will be lucky if you get listed anywhere.

If rejected, review the rules and be absolutely certain you have followed them. Are you using free content from sponsors? If so, that could be a problem. Most list owners (me, included) will review sites and by the fiftieth time we have seen that same gallery, we just won’t approve it anymore. Remember, we are looking out for our surfers and we want quality sites for them to see, not the same model in 50 different designs or even worse – 50 sites of the same model with the same design. If all of this is not the case, then email the list owner, and above all, be polite and understanding… that is, if you want to get an answer. Start with something like, “I know that you are very busy but I would really appreciate your help, etc.” Tell the owner you have checked out and followed the rules, and you don’t think it is a content issue and ask if he could take a quick look and let you know what is wrong. Make sure you include a working link to your site.

Remember, he sees hundreds of sites a day and he is not going to remember yours. When the owner replies, make the necessary corrections and resubmit or let him know the changes have been done. If you can not fix it, for instance, if you are using licensed content and he has seen that model too many times, email him thanking him for taking the time and let him know your appreciation. He will remember that and you will find the next submission will be easier to deal with.

Does it sound like I am telling you to be an ass kisser? Good, I am making my point then! When someone is giving you 1,000 on upwards to 10,000 hits a day for free, you owe him that much. That type of traffic is priceless. They know it and they spend a lot of time making their lists high quality for the surfers that are using them. So kiss and kiss some more, and when the lips heal from being chapped, pucker up again. It will pay off for you and your success in this industry.

I could go on forever with this. Never be afraid to hit me up with your questions. I will always do my best to take the time to help each and every person I can. Good luck to each of you and remember to work smart as well as hard. Only you, your plan and your diligent work will make it happen. Until the next time I am asked to write… peace and be well, and happy holidays to all of you!

Tony is the owner of Exxxtreme Adult Designs, a design company offering custom free site, AVS site and TGP gallery designs. He also designs banners and logos.

Tony can be contacted at tntdesign@charterinternet.com, via ICQ# 166558226 or you can call him at 802-479-0053.