Guest Author - Meg Meyer

In Internet Marketing Overview 1 we touched on the subjects of websites, blogs & publicity. Those aren't the only factors to internet marketing, however.

In this week's article, we'll continue the overview before diving in and getting more specific with each of the topics we're covering in the overview.



Market Research & Analytics -

The internet helps you streamline your message while reaching a broader audience. This is a great help when performing market research. Sure you have a great idea, but does anyone want it? Would tweaking your message, your design or your service bring more paying clients your way?

Analytics are great because they help you see what's working after the fact. Which advertisement, which venue, which wording of the offer works best? Which products, which articles, which services are most popular?

Search Engine Marketing / Submission / Optimization -

Search Engine Optimization, SEO for short, has it's own niche of theories and experts. Whatever your product or service, once you get online, you'll want people to be able to find you, right? This is where search engines come in.

There are the big dogs like Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask. Each have a loyal following and you will want to be listed in each of those.

Then, there are smaller, niche market search engines. Business.com is one option. The companies featured there pay to be listed. But it's a more targeted market, so may be worth it to someone who sells exclusively to those that might use the Business.com website.

Customer Service -

Don't forget to market to the clients & customers you already have! Give them customer service within an inch of their lives! If they leave a comment with a link to their own site - return the favor. Give freebies for the joy of giving a gift! If someone reports a problem - try not to get defensive - thank them for pointing out the issue & take care of it promptly.

Advertising -

Display Advertising - Banners, buttons & the like.

Text Advertising - Text links & paid reviews can positively effect your rankings - when done ethically.

MLM - Multi-Level Marketing - The main focus here is to get others to market the product / service / business to others & create even more marketers. Unethical versions of this include "Pyramid Schemes" that bilk the downline to increase the profit of those on top of the pyramid.

Affiliate Marketing - You pay a share of the sales revenue to affiliates who opt-in to recommend / market your business.

Spam - Spam is the definition of unethical, but it IS advertising, so I'll cover it, a bit. Spam is unwanted solicitation, like emails, or bombarding forums, newsgroups and chatrooms with unsolicited advertisement. I seriously frown on this kind of behaviour, which is why I open ONE post for promotion one day a week in the forum.

Ok, so now that you have some of the lingo and a smattering of ideas for what goes into an online marketing campaign, you're ready to focus on the specifics in weeks to come. Can't wait? Head on over to Marketing Services to get professional help on your internet business projects.