A
Review of 15
Online Marketing Techniques
From Beginner to Advanced!
By Jeffrey Spencer
Unsure about all the different tools and techniques that are
available to you for building your business on the Internet? Here we review
15 marketing ideas ... both on and offline ideas for beginner to advanced
marketers.
If you ask
any experienced online marketer, they will tell you that successful
Internet marketing demands the use of many marketing tools - not just
a Web site! The following table summarizes 15 practical ideas, followed
by a more detailed overview of each after the table.
1. Classified Ads
Place ads for your catalogs, products,
etc. There are thousands of places to do this such as Prodigy, CompuServe,
America Online, Web site Malls, Newsgroups, E-mail Newsletters, and more.
On the Internet, it helps to offer
something FREE in your ad like a catalog, report or a newsletter to get
your prospects attention. Since the Internet is a communications medium
- and full of free information - users have come to expect freebies.
2. Web Site Storefront
The World Wide Web is the graphical,
multimedia part of the Internet that has been drawing much hype by the
press. A Web site is essential if you want to build a successful, credible
business on the Internet. Owning a Web site says you are serious and on
the cutting edge. Plus, your customers can get information about your
business 24 hours a day at their convenience. Smart!
3. Newsgroup/Usenet Postings
This technique is better for those
who have been using the Internet for a while. Newsgroups are discussion
groups and mailing lists on the Internet. To participate in a Newsgroup,
you must subscribe first. There are estimated to be over 15,000 different
Newsgroups, each with its own culture and rules.
Before doing any marketing on a Newsgroup
make sure they allow advertising messages by checking the FAQs (frequently
asked questions). If so, offer something FREE like a catalog, report,
press release, etc. and tell them how to get it ... now.
If the discussion group does not allow
ads, actively participate in discussions to get the word out who you are.
Make comments to other people's post. Offer to help people or tell them
about something that would benefit them. It's similar to "networking"
in the real world, except you do it online.
4. E-mail Marketing
Building a targeted, customer e-mail
database is probably the most effective marketing tool on the Internet
in my opinion.
You know all the catalogs and offers
you get everyday in your mailbox? Well, you can do the same thing by e-mail.
Build a house list of your customers e-mail addresses.
What can you do by e-mail? Send hundreds,
even thousands of messages to customers in minutes at virtually no expense.
Send a newsletter. A press release about a new product. An announcement
about new changes to your Web site. The list goes on.
However, do not venture into sending
unsolicited e-mail (messages sent without consent). This is only for very
advanced marketers who understand the consequences of such activity. Focus
on people that have done business with you, asked to be on your mailing
list such as from your Web site, or responded to one of your ads.
5. "Signature" Tag
What is a "signature"? This is a canned
message that you tag at the end of every outgoing e-mail you send. It
basically says who you are, what you do and how to contact you including
name, address, phone number, e-mail address, Web site, and a quick marketing
message. It's a subtle way to let people know about you and your business.
It's also accepted to use "signatures" in Newsgroup postings.
6. Press Releases
Press releases that you print offline
in newspapers and magazines can also be posted in classifieds online,
Web magazines, Newsgroups and archives.
7. Web Site URL/E-mail Tags
Increase your awareness and online
traffic by posting the above information on all pieces of information
that leave your office in print or online. This includes ads, envelopes,
e-mail, letterheads, flyers, shipping labels - you name it!!
8. Publishing Articles
Get FREE publicity by offering to
publish articles on other people's Web sites, newsletters, and magazines
(on and offline). A great way to tell the world about who you are, what
you do and how to contact you for FREE. It also establishes you as an
"expert" in your field.
9. Leading Forum Discussions
Conducting an online conference in
a forum is a great way to boost your credibility and visibility with a
receptive audience. The main conference rooms on America Online, CompuServe,
and other online services are always booked with nationally-known movie
or media stars, but special interest groups or forums are always looking
for experts that can speak to their audiences. Why not you?
10. Banner Advertising
These are colorful display ads that
appear on Web sites and search engines. When they are "clicked," the user
is linked directly to your Web site. Place ads on Web sites that target
the same customers demographics that you do.
11. Reciprocal Web "Links"
Offer to put a link on your Web site
in exchange for a link on someone else's Web site. Look for sites with
similar customer demographics that do not compete directly with you.
12. Autoresponders
These are the e-mail equivalent to
fax-on-demand. Autoresponders automatically send a canned e-mail message
(such as product information, sales letter, etc.) when they receive e-mail.
These generally cost about $10 per month. Put autoresponders in your classified
ads online, on your Web site, etc. to save you the hassle of manually
sending information to prospects. You also receive a digest of all e-mail
addresses that contacted your autoresponder. Save these for follow-up
marketing.
13. Direct Mail Postcards
Send inexpensive postcards to your
house mailing list (or buy a targeted list) announcing your new Web site
or exciting changes to it.
14. "Links" in Internet Malls
Buy links for your Web site in aggressively
promoted malls. You benefit from the combined traffic from many malls
that way.
15. "Sub Dealer" Relationships
Create tremendous cross-promotional leverage
allowing other Web sites to broaden their product line with your products.
If a sale is generated from their traffic, you agree to fulfill the
order and pay the Web site owner a referral commission. See http://www.amazon.com
for an example.
Put these ideas to work ...and
let me know how you make out.
Return
to Index of Articles
Jeffrey
Spencer, is the publisher of
the nationally recognized marketing newsletter "Internet Profits!" E-mail
your name and postal address for a partial FREE sample and the special
report "10 Practical Online Marketing Ideas!" to ssip3@infoback.net.
Join his "Weekly Success Tip" e-mail newsletter by sending e-mail to ssimail@ix.netcom.com
or visiting: http://www.choicemall.com/successstyles.
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