You use the internet all the time. Right!
So it would not be any challenge for you to set up a site to sell products from, market to get noticed by the search engines (Google, Yahoo, and Bing) and watch the money roll in from customers?
And what skill do you have that is unique to you?
Well of course there is your experience! Your willingness to work hard! You are a good writer and good business person. So you only needed to select a product, arrange for production and delivery, devise an order and payment system, and set up your marketing plan and whatever tools may be needed.
Before you happily set off on your journey to market to the world on the web let me ask you these questions?
What do you know of the Internet and those who use it? Is there a difference between Internet Marketing and, well Marketing? Should you be selling a product or a service? Should you employ Targeted Marketing or a wide lasso? Is the sale opportunity limited to “one guest, one time”? Are there add on sales opportunities?
What do you know of the Internet and those who use it?
What you should know is that those who use the Internet are performing specific searches using key words through search engines (noted above). And while all age groups use the Internet, marketing is best rewarded if it is Targeted Marketing. Never has “know your market” been more necessary. In fact those who use it best are those who use it as a social tool through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn among the many and growing tools that may be used.
Is there a difference between Internet Marketing and, well Marketing?
Well, yes and no! You still need to devise a marketing plan, but perhaps that plan now lives entirely on the internet and focuses on “word of mouth” (social media) and lists of like minded or like experienced consumers. Therefore building your list of followers or just capturing these in a short time may signify success. And the best list must be one where members have similar interests but also are preconditioned to share their lists; members who can and will buy because they trust those who they follow.
Should you be selling a product or a service?
Your experience may dictate this choice. But consider, successfully selling a product means your Internet Marketing effort must successfully place you on the first page - really the top three on the first page. Not really as easy as many would want you to believe.
And most significantly, what determines how you get to those positions?
Content - most significantly original content Incoming links from high value respected targets - as determined by the publisher (Google, Yahoo, etc) not your opinion Articles about your site
Should you employ Targeted Marketing or a wide lasso?
Have you been listening - Targeted Marketing! What are you selling? Who is going to use it? How do you best find those groups of customers?
Is the sale opportunity limited to “one guest, one time”?
Another case of yes and no! Internet marketing features a Squeeze Page. This significant page allows you to offer “the deal”, provide communication to the customer when the order is placed or even if interest is expressed and the customer provides you with their contact information. Of course they must be allowed to “opt out”. (Are you still receiving free magazines after you have opted out of that great magazine deal last month?)
Are there add on sales opportunities?
Again with proper use of your Squeeze Page, you can provide “added advantages” to purchase or receive free “stuff” merely by taking the next step. And great marketers always provide the customer with the option to think twice or even three times before closing the browser.
In fact the greatest opportunity comes via affiliate marketing. This chance is to partner with other Internet Marketers to utilize each other’s “list” and in so doing greater targeted marketing is possible. And of course in using each others’ lists, capturing the members who opt in, you add on to your list.
Beyond any other observation I may make, please reach out to an internet coach or mentor. There are some really great ones around today. For me that was Alex Jeffreys who has taught me a lot about Internet Marketing.
Your venture in marketing can be most rewarding. Be patient and prepare in advance.
Author: Dale Haynes http://venturesinmarketing.com
Dale Haynes is an Adjunct Professor at Johnson & Wales University, Denver; an Independent Consultant with P-3 Solutions and Hospitality Sustainability Resources, LLC. Along with his wife Thomasene, Owners of Overlook Online Ventures, Inc. Dale’s newest endeavor is with http://venturesinmarketing.com.
Dale and Thomasene are experienced managers in public venues, authors of training programs and consultants to the food and beverage companies. They are proud parents of two; son John serving in Afghanistan and daughter Marci who has followed her parents into the food and beverage industry.
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