The Internet marketing business is popular these days, and there is a lot of competition awaiting entrepreneurs who are entering the high-stakes game for the first time.
The World Wide Web has made getting an global presence easier than it used to be...
But along with that has come an increase in the number of competitors out there.
So how can you get that edge over everyone else and stand out in the crowded space?
First of all, the fact that there's competition is a good thing. That means people realize the value of having an online business. They realize that there are a lot of people using the Internet for purchasing products and services...and that means another source of potential customers that you can draw from for your own business's niche.
And if your competitors are paying for advertising (ex: Google Adwords)...even better. It means that they are making money in that niche which means that you can, too.
With our economy floundering and many small businesses finding their earnings severely affected, business owners are looking to the Internet for opportunities to get their products and services in front of an audience who is already searching online.
If you're thinking "That's me," then you're at the right place at the right time. You're probably also thinking, "I don't have a clue how to get started."
Cheryl and I have learned a thing or two in the last five years. Here are some learned-from-experience tips that will help you not just tread water but move toward the results you want to achieve.
Before we get to what works, let's set the record straight as to what does NOT work in trying to get prospective customers to find you on the Internet:
Anyone can stand up in the middle of a church service, yell and make a scene - but most people would be annoyed and wish you would just go away.
There's only one Frank Kern...he can pull off crazy off-the-wall antics that you or I can't without looking like a complete moron (check out his classic State of the Internet video.)
The first thing you want to do is to get out there and generate online leads. If you already have a website, the next step is to make sure to have a lead capture form where interested viewers can leave their contact information in exchange for something of great value (tele-seminar, a report, an audio, a video training, etc.)
If you don't have a website yet, you're going to have to go through the entire process of starting a website from scratch and building your Internet presence.
When we work with clients who are redoing an existing website (which is basically the same as starting from scratch) we spend a great deal of time on the design and organization of the website.
Depending on your business and your ideal target audience, the choice of colors, graphics, and navigation/layout are as essential as the search engine optimization research that will directly affect how leads will find you.
By creating an online presence, you now can build your list of prospective customers and leverage your time while still building relationships by following up with those who have expressed a genuine interest in what you have to offer.
That's effective marketing. What takes place when you get them on the phone, a webinar, or in front of a good sales letter is selling...they are completely different, but that's a subject for another day.
Stop shouting at people. Give them interesting content, and let them come to you.
Building and nurturing a list of targeted leads is crucial to ramping up your marketing campaigns beyond merely surviving...it's the key to thriving.
Seize the day!
[leadpages_leadbox leadbox_id=14555ac46639c5] [/leadpages_leadbox]
[Image supplied by stevendepolo]
