In the eyes of companies everywhere, social media is quickly becoming a clear online marketing leader. What was once simply a way to connect with old college friends is reaching new heights for both online start-ups and established brick and mortar institutions across the globe.
Part of this move toward social media, though, is the direct result of the shift in consumer behavior over the past several years. It's rare these days to find an individual who doesn't read restaurant or hotel reviews online before making a reservation, and with the economic recession, that practice is on the rise. Individuals are no longer willing to take a risk on a company who might not offer them the value they deserve for their money, so sites like Twitter have become the best way to find word-of-mouth style reviews from other customers.
Not Just A Consumer Benefit
While this is clearly helpful to consumers, it's equally as helpful to companies. By providing an already captive audience, companies can specialize their marketing efforts to specifically reflect the needs of those most likely to purchase their product or services. Marketing was once often a blanket-style approach, but in today's world, companies can reach their target audience in a matter of seconds, and with specialized content sites on the upswing, more marketing firms and internal public relations departments are willing to take the social media plunge in spite of shrinking budgets.
Stretching Marking Dollars
During any recession, more than a few good ideas get thrown under the bus because each dollar the company makes is expected to go a bit further. Sure concepts like online video and marketing to mobile devices show great promise, but they're simply too expensive and too unproven for most companies to even consider. Should the economy improve in the near future, it's likely more exploration is going to be seen. Until then, though, few are willing to risk precious budget funds on something that may or may not work. Social media marketing, however, doesn't seem to be falling into this typical category.
Despite its relatively young age, it is fast emerging as the number one new choice for companies, and with good reason. Take, for example, the popular Facebook application Status King. The brainchild of a vacationing family, every forty-eight hours, a new status king is crowned, and the crown brings with it a free t-shirt. With the mantra "I want a free t-shirt," thousands flock to it each day to nominate and vote on the status updates they've come across each day. Results like this encourage companies to be the next big application or site the online community begins discussing.
The Internet's Swiss Army Knife
Companies are quickly finding that marketing isn't the only way to use a resource like social media, though. Many are turning it into a multi-purpose tool by running customer service campaigns through it as well. While it has yet to replace other customer service methods for most major companies, many see it as an excellent supplement. By adding social media specialists to the staff, many are able to create a solid relationship with customers and clients in a way that simply wasn't possible online in the past.
The online marketing world of yesterday looks very little like the world of tomorrow. Interaction with your client base is clearly going to be the key to the future of online marketing across the globe.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
How To Write Content That Gets More Clicks
One of the essential parts of the Dot Com world is having a unique website that can rank higher on the search engine. This often requires a culmination of several elements right from designing to development and uploading it on the internet. In this entire process, content or copywriting plays a significant role as it is through this content that you introduce your product or service to the prospective customer. However, an effective copywriting that can grab the attention of the readers is very crucial and yet very rarely achieved by the professional Content Writers these days.
There could be end number of reasons for the inability of the copywriter to do so. At times even the best copywriter would feel lack of ideas flowing in or probably would not be able to connect effectively with the audience. One of the reasons for this is also that while copywriting one might not know every venture entirely. This is the reason that they are unable to produce a piece of content writing that would attract the target audience. Here are some of the tips to follow for writing a content that is SEO friendly and can make you a copywriting expert.
First and foremost thing to do is to evaluate the target audience for whom you are writing the content. This will enable you to know about the choices people make and also the fact as to what are they looking for in a particular product or service. Once this is done, you can smoothly move to the next step.
Secondly, research. Yes, this is of utmost importance. Once you know that the prospective buyers are looking for particular details in the products that your client is selling, you can simply write a content regarding those particular details. For this, you need to research about the client’s product in detail or may be make a comparative study of the other similar products available. This will give you enough material for writing a good article.
Thirdly, check and edit your copywriting. This is the last and essential part. After writing the copy it is essential to go through it and make it error free so that it is reader friendly, business friendly copywriting and thereby SEO friendly too.
Many copywriting companies have also come into the market. If you feel that probably copywriting is not your forte then hiring one would be a better idea. However, make sure that you select a proper company for doing the best copywriting as your online success would depend on it.
There could be end number of reasons for the inability of the copywriter to do so. At times even the best copywriter would feel lack of ideas flowing in or probably would not be able to connect effectively with the audience. One of the reasons for this is also that while copywriting one might not know every venture entirely. This is the reason that they are unable to produce a piece of content writing that would attract the target audience. Here are some of the tips to follow for writing a content that is SEO friendly and can make you a copywriting expert.
First and foremost thing to do is to evaluate the target audience for whom you are writing the content. This will enable you to know about the choices people make and also the fact as to what are they looking for in a particular product or service. Once this is done, you can smoothly move to the next step.
Secondly, research. Yes, this is of utmost importance. Once you know that the prospective buyers are looking for particular details in the products that your client is selling, you can simply write a content regarding those particular details. For this, you need to research about the client’s product in detail or may be make a comparative study of the other similar products available. This will give you enough material for writing a good article.
Thirdly, check and edit your copywriting. This is the last and essential part. After writing the copy it is essential to go through it and make it error free so that it is reader friendly, business friendly copywriting and thereby SEO friendly too.
Many copywriting companies have also come into the market. If you feel that probably copywriting is not your forte then hiring one would be a better idea. However, make sure that you select a proper company for doing the best copywriting as your online success would depend on it.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Will Your Business Idea Work
Consider this a homework assignment for a would-be entrepreneur. How well you do determines whether your business succeeds or fails.
The assignment is a research project. You're going to research the validity of your business plan. I'm going to show you how to do adequate research before starting a business.
It can be difficult to gauge what "adequate" really means. Here's a checklist of some elements that any sufficient business research will contain:
• Market Research
It may be surprising, but many entrepreneurs start a business without really understanding the market they plan to serve. You must know the potential size of your market and, in turn, what sort of response your service or product will attract.
• Demographic Data
Don't try and sell something unless you know the buyers have money to spend. Know the numbers behind your market, including income levels, age breakdowns and if your target market is growing or shrinking. Sources of demographic information may include various governmental or taxing authorities and, on a more local level, voter rolls (invaluable if you want information on the ages of your market target).
• Customer Feedback
An equally important element of market research is getting a personal sense of your customers. Ask what they genuinely value, no matter if it's a low price, customer support or a particular element of your product or service. If you're gearing up a new business or modifying an existing product, ask if your business can solve some sort of ongoing problem.
"It's really effective research to identify problems that aren't being solved," says Peter Meyer, author of "Creating and Dominating New Markets." "Do interviews on a regular basis and, if someone isn't a customer, ask them why not. What product could you offer to make them a customer or what problem could you solve to achieve the same goal?"
• Competition
A third element of market research is knowing who you're up against. Rest assured you will be competing with someone, so never assume that you're the only company to have spotted an opportunity. On-site research is particularly helpful. Observe customer traffic patterns, noting ebbs and flows in both the number of customers and what they are buying. If it's a retail outlet, try shopping there yourself.
Other research options include visiting a competitor's website. If a competitor happens to be a public company, you can obtain every piece of literature that a publicly held firm must provide. Finally, while it's tempting to focus on a competitor's weak spots, pay close attention to what they do well. "Understand how they make their money," says David Gumpert, author of "How to Really Start Your Own Business." "Don't just look at what they screw up; find out how they're able to stay in business."
• Pricing
An ancillary element to market research is doing work to decide what you're going to charge customers.It's important to gain a feel for going rates to remain competitive. Pricing competitors' services and data from trade and professional associations is exceedingly helpful. But, says Meyer, pay attention to every element that contributes to your eventual prices or fees. "Price really is more of a marketing tool than it is a vehicle for cost recovery," he says. "People will pay more for a high value product or solution, so be sure to research your total value."
• Location
This is particularly critical for retail operations. Ask any prospective landlord if they have a foot traffic analysis on hand. First-hand observation is always a good option; examine walk-in traffic, parking spaces and other nearby businesses that may help or hinder your customer flow. Don't thoroughly dismiss the issue of location if you're not selling jewellery or clothes. A conveniently located office at a prestigious address can be a boon to a start-up consulting firm. Review any available buying data and trends for people who live in that area.
• Research Your Costs
Knowing your expenses is essential in estimating how much you'll need to bring in to stay in business. Research prospective costs thoroughly. Include everything from salaries to rent. For at least the first year or two, break down those costs in three-month increments. And, adds Gumpert, it actually helps to be a bit macabre when forecasting expenses: "Things are probably going to cost more than you expect, just like it's probably going to take longer to land your first client than you anticipate."
• What's Enough?
Although sufficient research is vital to the growth and success of any business, there is a point where enough becomes too much. Don't become so mired in research that you end up with too much information to make a decision. Watch to see how your research is borne out in reality. If, for instance, you're hitting your income goals or matching what you expected in walk-in traffic, your research is on the mark. And, adds Meyer, take note of repetition: "If you're asking questions and you keep getting the same answers over and over, you know you're in the right place."
The assignment is a research project. You're going to research the validity of your business plan. I'm going to show you how to do adequate research before starting a business.
It can be difficult to gauge what "adequate" really means. Here's a checklist of some elements that any sufficient business research will contain:
• Market Research
It may be surprising, but many entrepreneurs start a business without really understanding the market they plan to serve. You must know the potential size of your market and, in turn, what sort of response your service or product will attract.
• Demographic Data
Don't try and sell something unless you know the buyers have money to spend. Know the numbers behind your market, including income levels, age breakdowns and if your target market is growing or shrinking. Sources of demographic information may include various governmental or taxing authorities and, on a more local level, voter rolls (invaluable if you want information on the ages of your market target).
• Customer Feedback
An equally important element of market research is getting a personal sense of your customers. Ask what they genuinely value, no matter if it's a low price, customer support or a particular element of your product or service. If you're gearing up a new business or modifying an existing product, ask if your business can solve some sort of ongoing problem.
"It's really effective research to identify problems that aren't being solved," says Peter Meyer, author of "Creating and Dominating New Markets." "Do interviews on a regular basis and, if someone isn't a customer, ask them why not. What product could you offer to make them a customer or what problem could you solve to achieve the same goal?"
• Competition
A third element of market research is knowing who you're up against. Rest assured you will be competing with someone, so never assume that you're the only company to have spotted an opportunity. On-site research is particularly helpful. Observe customer traffic patterns, noting ebbs and flows in both the number of customers and what they are buying. If it's a retail outlet, try shopping there yourself.
Other research options include visiting a competitor's website. If a competitor happens to be a public company, you can obtain every piece of literature that a publicly held firm must provide. Finally, while it's tempting to focus on a competitor's weak spots, pay close attention to what they do well. "Understand how they make their money," says David Gumpert, author of "How to Really Start Your Own Business." "Don't just look at what they screw up; find out how they're able to stay in business."
• Pricing
An ancillary element to market research is doing work to decide what you're going to charge customers.It's important to gain a feel for going rates to remain competitive. Pricing competitors' services and data from trade and professional associations is exceedingly helpful. But, says Meyer, pay attention to every element that contributes to your eventual prices or fees. "Price really is more of a marketing tool than it is a vehicle for cost recovery," he says. "People will pay more for a high value product or solution, so be sure to research your total value."
• Location
This is particularly critical for retail operations. Ask any prospective landlord if they have a foot traffic analysis on hand. First-hand observation is always a good option; examine walk-in traffic, parking spaces and other nearby businesses that may help or hinder your customer flow. Don't thoroughly dismiss the issue of location if you're not selling jewellery or clothes. A conveniently located office at a prestigious address can be a boon to a start-up consulting firm. Review any available buying data and trends for people who live in that area.
• Research Your Costs
Knowing your expenses is essential in estimating how much you'll need to bring in to stay in business. Research prospective costs thoroughly. Include everything from salaries to rent. For at least the first year or two, break down those costs in three-month increments. And, adds Gumpert, it actually helps to be a bit macabre when forecasting expenses: "Things are probably going to cost more than you expect, just like it's probably going to take longer to land your first client than you anticipate."
• What's Enough?
Although sufficient research is vital to the growth and success of any business, there is a point where enough becomes too much. Don't become so mired in research that you end up with too much information to make a decision. Watch to see how your research is borne out in reality. If, for instance, you're hitting your income goals or matching what you expected in walk-in traffic, your research is on the mark. And, adds Meyer, take note of repetition: "If you're asking questions and you keep getting the same answers over and over, you know you're in the right place."
Monday, January 5, 2009
How To Make Money And Profit From Your Passion
The same is true when it comes to the Internet marketing industry. Even though there are people out there who'd mislead you and have you believe it's a simple "Walk in the Park" and requires no more than the belief that you can do it.
I'll have to admit, it can be a walk in the park compared to what you have to do in the working world punching a clock being a subordinate to a boss who doesn't have your best interests in mind, but there are still rules to follow and pitfalls you must avoid in order to actually make Internet marketing work for you.
Most people will never make a dime online and yet there are others who will make more in one month than most people make in a whole year. Why is that?
The answer comes with the age-old chicken or egg question, "what comes first the chicken or the egg"? Personally I say, well never mind, each argument you or I make comes back to the same old conclusion - I have no clue and I don't think many of us do either.
But one thing I do have a clue about and know for sure is that to make money online you must first have passion for the company, products and/or service of the Internet business from which you expect to make money.
Passion in this sense simply means that you've researched and like the company and products or services. It is then that you translate that like (or Passion) into the education, excitement and work that is required and that usually accompany Passion and success.
I will have to say that many online entrepreneurs are so good at what they do that they ignore passion because they can sell anything. But I'm concerned about those of you who are not so knowledgeable at working an online business successfully.
Now, I'm not trying to make anyone believe that passion is the only thing necessary. Because to be successful you must also have a good website, good marketing, widespread advertising, company support, effective keywords, and etc. Those things are often learned from the company you join - but sidestep passion and you reduce your chances for success dramatically.
It therefore follows that, if you have no passion for the company and the products and services provided by that company, again, you won't attempt to do the work you are being taught.
Internet marketing work is typically not all that difficult or time consuming but it does take motivation and dedication caused by passion to get you off and running with a sustained constant effort so that you won't stumble or quit.
You have a great resource in the Internet search engines to search about the Internet Marketing industry for business opportunities, USE IT!
Your research should reveal a company that you like and have confidence in. It should be solid, founded on great principles, and easy to understand with great products and services that are sell-able for which you can have passion. If you don't find it, move on. You can find the right opportunity containing the attributes identified above.
Comments like, well, that one sounds good and the compensation plan is excellent so I guess I'll start that business - does not sound like a decision based on anything even close Passion. Remember, when you hear that an Internet "guru" does something, don't be tempted, because as I said earlier they are experienced and can sell just about anything, without being passionate about the company products and services.
Note: By the way it's your goal to get to the point where you can sell about anything online. That end skill and goal is a worthy one indeed.
Remember, there are other steps you must make before you step into Internet Marketing but if you don't first find the right company products and services to be passionate about, all of those other steps may just cause you a lot of frustration instead of bringing you great success.
Not being passionate about a company, products and services that has market proof that it will sell, is a pitfall you simply must avoid.
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