Banner ads and mass-mailings are much less expensive than television. However, they have their limitations as well. While remarkably cheaper than a TV spot, a small banner ad on a major portal website can still cost over six thousand dollars a month. Furthermore, it is generally agreed that banners are not a cost effective way to bring visitors to a website. Most potential customers see banners as just a nuisance.
Mass mailings have a similar drawback.
If you opt out of spending money for your own list, you can buy space in someone elses. But you'll be competing for the customers attention with whoever else bought space. Another disadvantage that banner ads and mass-mailings have is that they aren't targeting the people who are most likely to be interested in the content you have to offer. The most cost-effective advertisement would have to be both cheap and targeted at exactly the right customer. The Internet is the most comprehensive source of information in human history.