If there’s something I’ve found effective for promoting for offline enterprises, it has to be custom tshirts. I’ve got no problem in walking down the street as a human billboard for my own wares - get a name on the front and my URL on the back and I’m sorted, especially in the summer.

For me it relates more to music and events that I organise. I’ll get the name of the event or organistation printed up on the front of the tshirt and the vitals on the back. Going for a front and back print at least I know that those walking in front of me and behind me have something to see!

Whats more is you’ll know you’re on a winner with your tshirt when someone comes up asking where they can buy some - now you’ve the possibility of a new revenue stream.

Where To Go For Custom Clothes

Two online services I’ve been using over the past few years are Spreadshirt and Cafepress, both of whom I’ve had great success with in the printing of custom tshirts. Outside of tshirts, both offer additional items like bags, cups, pens, clocks, mousemats, all the things you could give away (or sell) in promotion of your own blog, gig, book, business or event.

Both services offer an easy upload feature too for your designs, though I will admit I found Cafepress.com that bit easier thanks to the ability to upload PNG images for designs with no turnaround (uploading a vector image on Spreadshirt can take up to 48 hours for approval / denial).

You can also use the interactive designers on the site - drag and drop free custom images and designs, different styles of text and font and place your order once you’re done.

Find me at a gig or event or strolling around town in the run up to a gigI’m running then I’m likely to have one of my own tees on me. In fact, I’m already working on a new batch of tshirts for MyMusicPR. If you’re a social person and like to get out and about, then don’t overlook the opportunity using yourself as a walking billboard for your business!

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When it comes to blogging and freelancing, I’ve got one question for you. How do you advertise yourself online?

Social Networking

Do you work the social network scene? Have you got yourself a MySpace / Bebo / Facebook profile? If so, are you active on these profiles in connecting with people who have similar interests or those who might be interested in your freelancing services? Have you got yourself a LinkedIn profile, connecting with other professional freelancers and peers who may have work to offer, contacts to introduce you to or recommendations of your work to pass to others?

Commenting & Talking

Do you comment on other people’s blog or engage in any kind of comment-talk or conversation with blog authors or other blog commenters? When you leave a comment on a blog, do you leave a link or URL back to your own blog or website? If someone leaves a comment on your own blog, do you read it and let it slide? Or do you take the time out to engage with the person who left the comment?

Forums

Have you joined a forum or discussion board where you’ll find topics and boards related to your blog or line of work? Have you used these forums to talk to people with similar interests or leave details about the services you offer? Have you used your forum profile or signature to promote your blog, website, portfolio?

Advertising

Do you run any Adwords campaigns or any kind of paid search engine advertising online? Did you know that you can buy ads in search engines and target them to specific keywords or phrases that people are looking for? Have you connected with fellow bloggers, freelancers, artists, writers who have existing websites and asked can you exchange a link with them? Are you a member of any banner or button exchange programs?

You might have answered no to all of the above questions, but now you’ve got something to think about when it comes to advertising yourself online.

If you are advertising yourself online and find that it’s working great in bringing in readers or generating income or leads for your business then why not leave a comment and let people know what works for you?

Popularity: 12% [?]