Well, first it is important to say that the phrase “Web 2.0” was coined in 2004 by O’Reilly Media, Inc So, how can Web 2.0 help you? Basically it can allow you to use some free, but very popular, aspects of the net to advertise your business, products and/or services. You have several ways to do this:

• You can blog for free! Blogging, if done right, is a great way to advertise your business, your expertise and your knowledge. Update your blog at the bare minimum 3 times a week (should be 5-7 if possible). With your blog you can discuss the benefits of the services you offer, you can give advice or tips, explain dangers or give warnings and while doing all of these things, you can also show that you have the knowledge a potential customer will need. When you use labels or tags you help the search engines index your pages effectively. and WordPress are free bloggers, others are available for a small fee. If you want your blog to be successful you must promote the blog and there are several ways to do this:
• Blogging and RSS Feeds – RSS Feeds are web feed formats that are constantly updating digital media/content such as blogs, podcasts and even news feeds. Everytime you update your blog your can let the RSS feeds know and your blog’s information will be accessible to people worldwide. I have a tiny blog with not a lot of info, but you would not believe how many people around the world come here. So for all of you new people, HI! When you update your blog you can use Pingoat to let many RSS feeds know at one time that you updated your blog. I also recommend using Feedburner and claiming your blog at Technorati. There are millions reading RSS several times a day.
• Blogging Communities – MyBlogLog is a great way to interact with Internet users and find bloggers that are writing about the same subject you are. It will bring traffic to your blog. You will be surprised how far your blog will go if you promote it.
• MySpace– yes, myspace 🙂 MySpace has allows you to suggest your site, blog or RSS feed to be used in their MySpace news section. Believe it or not MySpace is not just for kids.
• Podcasts can be seen through syndication feeds and can be easily seen on MP3 players, personal media players or on computers.
• Wikipedia – In case you haven’t heard wiki is a free online encyclopedia that allows Internet users to update it. You can place information about yourself or your business, but there are guidelines you must follow.
• YouTube– YouTube allows you to place commercials, movies and even informational videos on the web. You can learn to play the drums or learn how to garden. You can create videos with tips and advice you feel consumers need (while also advertising your business).
• Craigslist.org – Free place to advertise and find whatever you could possibly need, from real estate to IPODs. You can use Crazedlist.org to scan many cities quickly.
• FaceBook– a social networking service that is typically used by those college-aged and under. Great way to target this demographic.
• Message Boards/Forums – There are forums about every subject everywhere. You can go and review forums that are discussing your products and/or services and offer your opinion. You do not want to go in and discuss why people should use you. Add your business name and a description in your signature. Everytime you respond to a post your sig is there for advertising. People will look.
• YFLY – Another social networking site that also allows people to download music. It is not as big as MySpace, but you can create a profile (discussing you and your business), add some music and gain some exposure.
• del.icio.us – not my favorite, but many love it. It is a social bookmarking manager that can bring in some traffic.
• DIGG.com – DIGG is more about news stories, but if you have a news stories about something your business is doing it can be beneficial.

If you have something you would like to add about web 2.0 and advertising please leave a comment and a link to your blog. I will be glad to add it. Sarasota SEO Copywriter and Copyeditor and Blogger 🙂