Here’s how Sitepoint did it…

Step 1: Newsletter

I received a free copy of their Photoshop Anthology eBook some time ago, therefore they sent me this email because I was on their list.

Step 2: Promotion Page

They bought a domain called Twitaway.com to redirect visitors to a particular page on their web site that promotes this free CSS eBook giveaway. They have a nice countdown timer, a Digg vote button, newsletter subscription box and a link to their Twitter profile on this page. You may either follow them on Twitter or subscribe to their newsletter to get the free CSS eBook. I chose to follow them on Twitter because I am already on their list.

Step 3: Digg

Sitepoint submitted a Digg submission to Digg in the Programming category. 190 digs since I last saw the page yesterday. I think they are aiming for the front page of Digg, which is more than possible within 14 days.

Step 4: Twitter

So I followed them on Twitter. About 30 minutes later, I received an email from them.

I think they used TweetLater to automate this step. I cannot imagine someone manually following all the new followers.

I was expecting a message from Sitepoint via Twitter and I got one! More clues that they used TweetLater. The message included a download link of the CSS eBook. This marketing sequence really blew me away and I now know the power of Twitter combined with other online marketing mediums.

If you know of similar online marketing campaigns, please let me know about it.