Archive for the ‘Internet Marketing’ Category

The Benefits Of Internet Marketing – JOSIC – Digital Intelligence

Whilst it is fair to say that Internet marketing has certainly had an effect on offline trading figures, the comparisons are not directly proportionate for the simple reason that the Internet has opened up huge new markets which were not feasible before this information superhighway was born. The interactive nature of Internet marketing, and the low costs involved in distributing information and media to a global audience, makes a very attractive platform for any business model, regardless of size. Latest figures from credit card companies report a 15 billion dollar turnover from Internet sales in the last year, and rising rapidly. So it is not surprising that budgets for Internet marketing are taking a bigger slice of the advertising cake and the numbers of individuals earning their living directly from Internet marketing are ballooning off the scale.

Internet marketing draws together all the creative and technical aspects of the Internet, which include design, development, advertising and sales, and the techniques used in Internet marketing include search engine marketing, email marketing, affiliate marketing, online advertising and more recently, social media marketing methods as employed in blog marketing, and viral marketing.

Internet marketing is the process of building, growing and promoting a business individual or organization through any online activity including websites, blog sites, article marketing, press releases, online market research, email marketing, and online advertising. In order to fully comprehend the huge benefits offered by the Internet marketing process, it is difficult not to draw comparisons with offline marketing methods, but it has to be remembered that one is not a replacement for the other. Internet marketing and offline marketing will both have an important part to play in the future of any business, assuming it is not purely Internet based. Let us now look at the benefits that Internet marketing has to offer..

Low Cost

Since the Internet can be regarded as a free for all activity center where information is shared freely with all interested parties, the cost involved in the overall Internet marketing strategy is relatively low. Apart from the obvious expenditure incurred in operating a web site, a large proportion of the budgets set aside for Internet marketing will typically be swallowed up by services and resources offering expertise in the various marketing techniques that fall under the Internet marketing umbrella. For example, Search Engine Optimization plays an important role in the positioning of a web site in search engine rankings and the larger organizations will often employ the services of a search engine optimization company to carry out this duty. Equally there are Internet Advertising Agencies available to handle all aspects of online advertising. Smaller companies or sole traders may carry out their own search engine optimization and advertising campaigns and would need only a few hundred dollars budget for marketing software tools. Either way, the overall cost of Internet marketing is much lower than the cost of a similar offline campaign.

Work From Any Location

All activities that fall under the Internet marketing banner can easily be organized from a laptop computer. Most communications are made using online contact forms, email or instant messenger, and payments for items such as web site hosting, internet marketing software tools and resource fees can all be paid online using a credit card. Web site design and management is also another area of Internet marketing easily managed from a laptop computer. The versatility of the laptop means that these duties can be carried out from any location and therefore those involved in the Internet marketing fraternity can easily work from a simple home office, or even when away from home. Commuting is totally unnecessary.

The Level Playing Field

Unlike offline commerce, the use of Internet marketing techniques now make it possible for an individual or sole trader to compete with the larger organizations in his online business. Its true that a larger company whose name was on everyones lips would have a head start in the marketing of their web site, and a larger presence in the search engine pages, beyond that the doors are opened and its quite common to see a smaller commercial outfit riding higher than their much larger competition in search engine results. Yes the online advertising budgets would be much bigger for the national companies, but there are many Internet marketing techniques and resources available to the solo marketers that would help them to stay in touch. There are literally hundreds of new Internet millionaires developed on a daily basis.

There are also many niche areas with good benefits derived from Internet marketing, but generally the process is attractive all round as a method of promoting any business, recreational or personal projects across the Internet. Internet Marketing is where the future lies for businesses large and small. The Internet has arrived and no-one can deny it!

Trevor Taylor

Source by Trevor Taylor

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The Benefits Of Internet Marketing - JOSIC - Digital Intelligence

Don’t Overlook Voice Search in Your Online Marketing Campaign – WebProNews

The popularity of voice-activated smart assistants is gaining traction, especially with Apple hopping on the bandwagon with its Siri speaker due to be released soon. This is why businesses should include voice search in their online marketing campaign, rather than focus solely on text-based searches.

In fact, voice search marketing is described as the new norm, which would have been unheard of just five years ago. One major factor is the increasing efficiency of machine-learning technology in finding user patterns to anticipate their needs.

For instance, Amazons Alexa is billed to be capable of performing over 12,000 tasks, which is why its still the undisputed king in this increasingly competitive industry.

A Different Beast

In the past six months, 40% of users have tried voice commands in asking questions or searching for products and services. Analysts believe this number will only continue to rise until such time when people wont even be able to imagine how they survived without voice-activated apps in the first place, similar to how they feel about mobile phones.

When it reaches this critical mass, Google will surely introduce an update to its algorithm that will take into account voice search in order to rank your page.

For marketers, this would be an entirely different beast altogether. Whereas text-related keyword searches are much easier to document, recording how many people are looking for best pulled pork sandwiches, Lexington, KY using voice search will be a tall feat.

This will really turn the search engine optimization dynamicwhich is the direct result of years of honing and polishingup on its head.

Better Results

Unlike text queries, voice search will yield more accurate results. It basically pulls down the curtains, allowing internet users to skip one step. Instead of searching for pulled pork sandwiches, they can just go ahead and order the food from the best restaurant based on customer and critic reviews.

Instead of searching for a particular song you cant get out of your head, it may be possible in the future to hum the lyrics and the smart speaker will play the whole song for you. This brings convenience to a whole new level, unlike in text searches where you have to choose and phrase your words in a specific manner to get the most relevant resultsand still having to go to that particular website to order food.

Here are some quick tips to cope with the changes from text to voice search marketing:

Mobile Optimization As voice search apps are gradually perfected, mobile optimization will become even more crucial. Website built with Flash will need to be redesigned and all websites will need to be responsive. Marketers will need to advise their clients of this major shift from traditional search to voice search. Another way to optimize the mobile experience is to make sure that their sites load fast. Theres no faster way to lose customers than a website that takes forever to display.

Snippets In voice searches, snippets are short descriptions about the company or the brand. This gives the users a little bit of information before they move along or move forward. Using traditional SEO techniques, you will need to optimize so you end up high on the search engine results page for snippets.

Long-Tail Keywords Voice search is different from text search in the sense that internet users will often talk normally as they would in a conversation, as opposed to using key phrases or keywords when they type on Google. This is where long-tail keywords are crucial because you can still reach your target market even with this major shift in the way people do their search.

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Don't Overlook Voice Search in Your Online Marketing Campaign - WebProNews

Internet Marketing and the Importance of Relationship in Your Online Business Success – JOSIC – Digital Intelligence

Internet marketing helps every online businessman to have an easy access to potential subscribers. These potential subscribers or the target markets should have to be enticed to buy your products. Sometimes, though, even if the target market is great, it is not a guarantee that your business will enjoy such spark in the online business world. These target markets are sometimes hesitant to buy because they are afraid of being fooled by online marketers. Thus credibility is very important in order to gain the trust of the target market.

Credibility in your niche can only be achieved if you have established a worthy relationship with your clients or target market. That is why it is a fact that relationship is one of your keys to success in order to stand out in the business.

What you can do to achieve this relationship?

There are many ways to do this. However, as a start you have to strive establishing a contact with these people. If you can not get their contact information, then, it would be hard for you to win their hearts. This is the importance of information gathering. This only includes the names and email addresses of your target market. You can indicate a short form where the visitors of your site or your target market will indicate their names and email addresses. Furthermore, to entice them to indicate the valuables you needed from them, offer your target market or clients a giveaway in exchange of their information.

After the first pace of your strategy, the next is to send them emails. Try to do it immediately and decide for the interval of your emails. Never bombard them with emails. It may annoy your target market causing them to withdraw their subscription or you will be reported as a spammer. Your promotional emails should sometimes include freebies that they can download and enjoy reading. Your freebies could be a mini-report, newsletter, or any valuable material that could motivate them to buy and support your products. Indicate also the importance of your products to them and the many benefits that they can get out of what you offer. At the end of your emails, never forget to indicate a link to your website.

One thing to note about emails is that it should be brief but pact or rich with knowledge. You may include some tips or information related to your niche that can boost their interest. Create an appointment in your information so that your recipients will be looking for more in your emails. Lengthy emails, however, will just give them the reason to get bored and never to read again your emails. Why not save your length emails for your newsletters or ebooks.

Since you have started already establishing a communication with them, reinforce it with a constant interaction. How will you do this? Give them the opportunity to give their own ideas or reactions with the topics that you are sending them through your emails. Ask them also to give feedback or ask questions. This will be your way to generate a sale with the helpful information that you offer them while implicitly marketing your own products.

With all these, always be honest to your clients and straightforward. This will help you out as you establish this important relationship for you to take advantage later in generating a sale.

Source by Bhadra Patel

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Internet Marketing and the Importance of Relationship in Your Online Business Success - JOSIC - Digital Intelligence

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Ads Next - Websites and Internet Marketing for Dentist and ...

Digital Marketing Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Guide

Digital marketing.Just another one of those new, fancy buzzwords you should use to sound smart in meetings or is it the real deal?

Maybe a better question is: What is it?

This digital marketing guide will show you whats what.

First popularized as a term in the early 2000s, digital marketing has actually been around much longer.

Like, WAY longer.About 100 years longer, to be exact.

Heres a pic of the first digital marketer in history:

(Image source: Wikipedia)

His name: Guglielmo Marconi.

What? Marconi?

Yup. In 1896 he was the first human to demonstrate a, public transmission of wireless signals.

This dude invented the radio.

Shortly after his little demonstration in England, morse signals were transmitted across open water.

And, while it would take another 10 years for the radio to reach the general public, it sure didnt take the creators long to realize they could use it to sell stuff.

The first live broadcast was from an opera performance at the Metand guess what people did after it?

They bought show tickets!

Digital marketing strategy was born.

I bet youre surprised. I didnt mention smartphones, apps, Facebook ads or blogs at all.

Thats because digital marketing has nothing to do with the internet.

As usual, Wikipedia does a crappy job at explaining: Digital marketing is an umbrella term for the targeted, measurable and interactive marketing of products or services using

Ugh!

I want an easy definition that I can remember! Heres one: Digital marketing is any form of marketing products or services that involves electronic devices.

Thats the reason it has been around for decades (because electronics have) and why it doesnt necessarily have anything to do with content marketing, Google ads, social media or retargeting.

Digital marketing can be done both online and offline.

And, both kinds matter for a well-rounded digital marketing strategy.

Remember billboards?

I do.

As a young kid in California, my experiences from the back seat of our car mostly alternated between: Mom, when are we there? and Uh, look, McDonalds, can we go?, whenever one of those 10 foot billboards popped up on the side of the road.

Growing up with Indian parents, the answer to both of those would, most times, be the same: Not yet.

Sometimes, big brands would even start a billboard war, like this one between Audi and BMW, which got quite a few laughs:

(Image source: BMW blog)

In 2015, a ton of my clients still spent hundreds of millions of dollars on billboard advertising.

Unfortunately or fortunately, its dead.

The reason why billboards, like the ones above, die, is perfectly illustrated in a single picture of a Volvo.

Because, frankly, the future of driving will look like this:

(Image source: Dullonet)

Not a single passenger will spend their time looking at the road.

Do me a favor, the next time you drive and are giving a friend a ride, take a peek at the passenger seat.

Just for a second.

Even now, chances are theyll be looking at their phone.

Heck, in a world where 9% of all drivers are on the phone one way or the other (texting or calling), at any given moment during daylight hours, how can we think billboards have a future?

If not even the driver is looking at the road any more, whos supposed to see those advertisements?

And, thats not even considering self-driving cars, on which both Apple and Google are working (you know its going to happen).

Elon Musk suggests that theyll be here around 2020. Thats in only a few years.

That means you dont have much time to figure out this digital marketing stuff before you can power down your old school printing press and close up shop.

The share of people spending more time using electronic devices is only going up from here.

With Americans spending 11+ hours on electronic devices, every single day, theres not much left. That is, until we spend ALL of our time in the digital world.

And, while yes, online marketing is the reason that25 year olds can now sit in their living room and earn 2 million dollars a year playing video games, offline marketing still has its place.

Lets take a helicopter and circle around to get an overview.

The 2 main pillars of digital marketing are online marketing and offline marketing. That said, since Ill talk about online marketing in a separate guide, Ill only mention the different areas of online marketing here, for the sake of completeness.

The 7 big categories of online marketing are:

Unbounce created a great infographic that sums up all kinds of online marketing in one neat chart.

(Image source: Unbounce)

The beginners guide to online marketing, on Quick Sprout, is a great place to get started.

Okay, that said, what other digital marketing is there? Theres plenty, actually.

Here are the 4 big categories of digital offline marketing.

First, theres what I call enhanced offline marketing. This is a form of marketing that is entirely offline, but enhanced with electronic devices.

For example, if your restaurant uses iPads for your customers to create their orders on, then the offline experience of say, eating Thai food, is enhanced with this electronic device.

People have been using digital media to enhance their marketing for decades (youve only forgotten in what ways, as youll see).

(Image source: San Diego Tribune)

Next, theres radio marketing. The next time you hear an annoying, over-enthusiastic car dealer shout every word of his or her commercial, thank Mr. Marconi.

Of course, we cant forget television marketing. TV ads have been around for more than half a century (and since 1953 also in color, nationwide Yes, there was a time before color TV).

Finally, the biggest and fastest growing area of offline marketing, with admittedly also a lot of flops, busts and failures: phone marketing.

Lets look at the 4 areas in more detail.

Whats the difference between a billboard somewhere in the desert of Arizona and a billboard in New York Citys Times Square?

The size? The product?

3 letters: LED. Light emitting diodes.

All of the billboards in Times Square are electronic!

(Image source: Adweek)

Why? Because in the desert of Arizona, no ones competing with you for peoples attention. If you have a billboard at all, you win.

But, in Times Square, attention is probably more valuable than anywhere else in the world. Over 330,000 people cross through it each day.

If you want to be distracted, theres buses, taxis, promoters shouting and then, of course, the electronic billboards.

Some of them are even interactive, showing live feeds of the people on the square or pictures of customers.

Renting a billboard space on Times Square, for a year, will set you back a whopping $1,000,000 to $4,000,000.

Sounds expensive? Wait until you hear the prices for Super Bowl commercials.

What other forms does enhanced offline marketing take?

What do you see when you walk into an Apple Store these days?

(Image source: Wikipedia)

People leaning over iPads, Macbooks and iPhones.

If you have any type of electronic product, any product demo is an important part of your digital marketing strategy.

Okay, the next ones a good one. If you remember this, you can consider yourself an extremely lucky kid:

(Image source: Emuparadise)

This is a demo disc for the original PlayStationand several of these were handed out with other games or sometimes even magazines.

It was the same with PC magazines. Remember when they came with CDs (and later DVDs) and you couldnt wait to throw them into your disk drive and see what samples were on them?

A little different than a demo, these are product samples in digital format.

People still do this. Think of all the wannabe rappers or rockers in your hometown, handing out mix tapes and CDs and now probably USB sticks, to get you to listen to their music.

Alright, time to take a look at the category of digital marketing thats probably been around the longest.

Over 100 years have passed since that original first live broadcast of the opera performance at the Met and guess what radio is still here.

Since radio did fairly well in transitioning to the internet, it hasnt taken as big of a hit as TV. And, even old school radio still matters.

Some facts:

Now, while profits have shrunk, radio isnt dead. Thanks to Pandoras 80 million users, there are still about $4 billion in profits made each year.

But, aside from creating a kick ass, creative radio commercialthat will do well, what else is there?

Recently, internet radio made a good move, doing what most podcasts do: advertise at the beginning of shows.

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Digital Marketing Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Guide