Internet Marketing - An often overlooked opportunity

When I consult with small and home based business owners, more times than not one of the greatest concerns they have is how to increase reach to a targeted market while keeping costs down. Hands down, effectively using the power of the Internet is the cornerstone to achieving this outcome. More times than not, companies are not using their Internet presence as effectively as they can.

Looks Aren't Everything
I often see a company that has a website or blog that looks great from a design perspective, yet from a marketing and sales perspective the site is not working. Many people are under the mistaken belief that if a potential customer or client visits their site they will be so impressed they will automatically return time and again. Fact is, this is not what happens in the real world of the Internet. Chances are within minutes most visitors have forgotten sites they looked at unless there was something that encouraged them to remember.

People remember based on the value you create and a problem being solved. They also remember by you keeping your name and company fresh in their mind.

Create the Opportunity
One way to do this is to offer visitors the opportunity to opt in to your mailing list. If people have taken the time to visit your site, you need to encourage them to leave their contact information. You do this by offering them something that is incredibly valuable that they sign up for.

It’s incredible how many companies, large and small, miss the opportunity to encourage visitors to sign up for something. It is in the signing up you will build a mailing list that is worth more than its weight in gold.

Most people are so overloaded with information that if you don’t immediately solve a problem for them they are not going to be interested in signing up for anything. Additionally, once they sign up if your information does not continue to solve their problem they will want off your list.

In today’s world of Internet marketing, your job is to look for ways to continually offer value while increasing your distribution list.

Specific Strategies to Increase Your Distribution List
If you are in the retail industry, every time someone comes to your store, simply ask them if you can add them to your distribution list to keep them updated on specials, events, and unique offers. In most cases if they are attracted to your store, they will gladly give you their information. Make sure to get their email address.

If you have a current mailing list of clients, conduct a survey and offer an incentive for people to respond. Direct them to your site where they fill out a survey and perhaps receive a free report or eBook.

If you do any type of presentations as a part of your job, collect contact information from the attendees. Send a follow-up message within 48 hours inviting them to sign up for your Ezine.

Use your email signature file to encourage people to sign up for an incentive on your website. Put the web link right in your signature.

Put a sign-up box on every page of your site. Many websites have a sign-up on the main page but have not put one up on other pages of their site. Fact is, a web search for a specific product or service can take people anywhere on your site, not just the main page. Make it easy for them to sign-up for something from every page.

Write and distribute articles online with a strong byline at the end of the article. A byline is simply an information piece that is usually a few sentences in length. In the byline direct readers back to your website for something of value.

Offer a free report from your site. Make sure it is compelling enough for people to want to sign up.

Offer free eBooks to encourage people to leave their contact information in order to download the file.

Opt-in lists are one of the most powerful marketing tools you have in your online and offline marketing. Complemented by a good Ezine, website, consistent focus on driving traffic to your site and gaining visibility, the potential for growing your business is unlimited.

To learn more about effectively using the Internet in your marketing go to http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/free-ebook.htm to access the FREE ebook The Truth About Making Money on the Internet.

Comments

[addsurveys]

obviously your explanation is very good that more business men are not using the internet well for their marketing.It is the better option to use the customer survey over the internet to get the feedback from the customers.
http://www.addsurveys.com

[Kathleen Gage]

I agree. Surveys are a great way to know what your market wants. As a matter of fact, I just got off the phone with a client who is going to be implenting surveys to her systems for providing what her clients want.

Thanks for your posting.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer

[Lawren Smith]

The internet is a great place in which to market one's business. I think many people, in particular, big companies, don't use the internet effectively or at all.

Marketing on the internet requires skills and experience and I suspect, many people often either don't have the time or the patience to learn about how to effectively market their business online.

Even if you have a great product, this does not guarantee that people will be interested in what you have to offer; especially if you lack the skill of effective communication.

To make my point, look at companies like Microsoft and McDonald's. Both companies, I would dare say do not have the best products in their niche market, but they are very successful. Why? Because they know how to market their business and they have a system in place that keeps their business running.

It doesn't cost much if any to learn about marketing. Once you learn how to acquire a few skills, such as, marketing, sells, and effective communication, you will be well on your way to achieving success in your business, no matter the product or service you provide.

Thank you for letting me share...

[Kathleen Gage]

You bring up some great points Lawren. By and far, marketing is one of the most essential skill a company (no matter how small or large) needs to know.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer

[home business]

Every online entrepreneur dreams of that work at home business opportunity that will enable them to fire their boss and give up their day job.