The sheeps 3 options

This page is a follow on from Directory Owners Led To The Slaughter you will have to read that first to get the gist.

What can small directory owners do? - July 21th 2007

OK! I said the sheep had 3 options, by the time I've finished writing this lager anmd red wine induced page it will probably be 6 or 7. but let's not let that ruin a good story.

So what main options do small or new directory owners have?

They just keep plodding along, submitting to more and more directories, pimping themselves in forums, submitting articles to article sites, giving free listings to all and sundrie in exchange for links, and just using automated systems and directory templates to speed the process along.
They buy older, existing low PR directories, heavily optimise them by using their network of other sites, talk them up everywhere they go, have ordered lists of other sites that link to them, give the other site owners badges to put on their sites which measure the clicks and rate the sites that send visitors to them higher, wait until the PR has risen to 5 or 6 then sell them on at a far greater price than they paid for them, buy another cheap directory and then swittch all the links which were pointing to the one they just sold to the new one.
They get heavily involved in all the SEO, Webmaster and directory owners forums, they post interesting articles and comments (always including links to their sites), start numerous blogs, have 2, 3 sometime 4 other directories, try to start promotions and competitions in the forums, make other directry owners aware that they do reciprocal linking, hire teams of low labour cost people to write articles, link build and submit to directories for them.
They start with a high budget and are prepared to speculate to accumulate, they do all of number 3, but this time are not afraid to spend to get themselves seen in the right places. They sponsor templates, pay people to advertise for them in their signatures, put up prizes in competitions, get nice logos and banners created, buy a few quality backlinks and pay to get their banners shown on numerous other directory and forum sites.
They do all of number 4 and also try to form relationships with the big boys, they give them free ads, special treatment, talk them up in forums, recommend them to anyone who asks and do as much as possible to get them to let them join them at the top table
They create unique directories, go to more trouble making them user friendly, try to optimise the individual listing that people submit, try to keep within certain niches, concentrate on locations, don't spend too much time ranking for hard keywords but instead concentrate on long tail traffic and niche traffic, try to keep their directories as un-automated as possible (does that word exist?), gives the person who submits a personal service even if it means going out of their way and giving them a bit of time, providing a telephone number for people to use who want to ask any questions, being polite, friendly and letting anyone who submits know that they are just an ordinary guy like them, detest all the spammer and cold callers like them and are just a small team (or one man band) rather than one of the bigger directories who use sales teams to drum up paid listings. They don't insist on recips, but let people know they appreciate it if they do, dont insist that people reccomend the SERVICE they provide, but let people know they appreciate it if they do. They are not afraid to link to sites they feel may be useful to theie users, even if it means supplying one way links to their competitors, Their not even afraid to help ot people who operate in the same field as them and prefer to work with, rather than against similar sites.
They Buy out existing high ranking sites, have a proper understanding (even contracts) with the previous owners that stipulate certain conditions, thay market the directory properly and bring in a team to ensure everything runs smoothly, they concentate on brand awareness and are not afraidto use AdWords and other advertising metods to always keep their name in the spotlight
They buy in to existing franchises, just operating in their location, but part of one big team who have members in numerous locations all doing similar things