Top 10 Strategies to Marketing Online

When starting an online or web-based business, it is integral to any plan to advertise in any way possible. The trick is, how do you do it? I have scoured the internet, learning the best ways to market your business on the web and with the knowledge gained I provide you with my Top 10 Strategies to Marketing Online:

1. Creating an Attractive Website

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  Regardless of how many people you can get to visit your website, it won't matter if they cannot bear the thought of looking at it for more than two seconds. Make sure your website doesn't turn people off right away. This includes eliminating the unnecessary elements of your site, creating an easy to navigate page, and inspiring return visits. If someone wouldn't want to come back to your site, they most likely won't buy anything or point anyone else in your direction. Without an attractive website, the rest of the strategies provided here won't do you much good.

2. Word of Mouth

• Obviously, this method comes first because it is not relegated to the Internet, but provides the means and suddenly customers who enjoy your product are working for you. Offer referral coupons and you are off to the races. Any person who receives information on a product from a trusted friend is infinitely more likely to follow up on it than something they were to be sent by you or another unknown source. Take that to the next level, and have YOUR friends market for you. Networking online is incredibly important. If you have a solid base of “friendly” websites linking to your site (This is generally easy to do if you offer the same service for them) you will create more traffic to your website than any other method.

3. E-mail Marketing

• Email marketing usually done in one of three ways: 1) emailing current customers to encourage loyalty and repeat business by the way of repeat customer coupon, or member coupons. 2) Sending emails with the intent of gaining new customers with direct emails. This method requires gaining lists of email addresses which can be tricky to get. Generally the least effective of all email methods due to spam filters. 3) Adding advertisements to other businesses emails. This method would require spending some money to get businesses to let you do this, but if you create it correctly it can either appear to be sponsored by the business the customer is (Hopefully) familiar with, or you can use the space to create the best banner ad possible, which would gain the attention of the person emailed and link them back to you.

4. Search Engine Optimization

• This method of advertisement is probably the sneakiest kind, because it doesn't appear to your customer that you did anything to create the effect. Search engines use crawlers to find web pages for their algorithmic searches. These crawlers index specific pages on your website, but please note that if you have a blog, or a website attached to another site(Such as this blog, as it's attached to BlogSpot), it's unlikely you're going to get ANY traffic without submitting your site directly to the search engines. For sites like yahoo, this can be a pricey endeavor without much gain, but it does allow you to select which keywords bring up your website.

5. Banner Ads

• This type of marketing covers web banners, animated gifs or static images that wouldn't be described as a “banner” such as the rectangular ads often seen on MySpace and online newspaper articles, and “Pop-Up” advertisements. These ads are mildly effective, and are usually rather costly. You're looking at a cost to create the advertisement, and a cost to run the ad on someone else’s website unless you can get a “Banner swap” deal. A banner swap deal would allow you run an advertisement for someone else while they do the same for you, at no cost to one another (Other than the space on your website). The space on your website is a resource in this sense, because it cuts down the available area on the screen at any one time for text. Banner ads can either run at the top or bottom of a page, or along the sides. The ads along the side can either be static, in that they don't move when you scroll down the page (Often revealing more ads), or they can be constant, scrolling down the page with the visitor. Usually, if you are going to run these ads they should announce to the world how great your product is. Often I see the mistake of people using a banner ad saying “Visit http://momsinternetmarketingandlifetips.blogspot.com/!” or whatever your site may be, rather than showing people what they will get if they DO visit. You want people coming to your site to buy your product (or read your blog) not just too idly travel to your website to quell their boredom. It is important your ads are proactive in this sense.

6. Social Networking

• Websites such as Facebook, Myspace, and most recently Twitter have begun to allow everyone to get in touch with everyone they know and provide them with updates on their daily lives. Why can't you use this to increase business? You can do it both on your personal facebook or twitter, and more importantly on one set up specifically for your business. With a network of past and future customers, it can be instrumental in keeping your former customers informed and spreading that knowledge on to future customers.

7. Create a Newsletter

• By creating a newsletter you are allowing customers who want to keep up with new developments on your website and new products you produce informed. This optional service is a strong base of customers for future products, because nearly all who sign up to be informed of products to be developed will likely at least check out anything new you create. You can also use these dedicated customers as a strong base to bounce ideas off of, which would allow for cheap feedback on ideas.

8. Online Press Releases

• Using an inexpensive service to get the word out is never a bad idea. This ranks below a newsletter because it doesn't have the personal touch that allows it to reach customers from a trusted source, and it costs more than just your time. These releases are often about 20 dollars and get the word out to thousands at a time. Release an article on your product (make sure it’s favorable) and watch the results. Be sure there is a link back to your website on the article.

9. Pay-per-click Advertising.

• Pay per click advertising is very similar to search engine optimization, except that it costs you a set amount per click on the link you are providing. The price usually varies depending on the keywords you use (for example: hotel is a very expensive one) and could cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars a month for no guaranteed sales. I generally don't recommend this method, but it could feasibly create sales for your website. Those possible sales push Pay-per-click ads just above pop ups on this list.

10. Pop Up Ads

• Marketing via pop-ups is becoming a gamble. With pop-up blockers reigning supreme in the web browser wars, it is generally unwise to spend a lot of time, effort, or funds on pop ups. Most of the time they are either quickly closed by those proficient with the internet, or they are blocked by specialized pop up blockers. That being said, the better ads can produce some motivated traffic and that alone warrants the last spot on my countdown. In all, I don't think they can produce enough for their cost in this new internet, and are a dinosaur of the infancy of the World Wide Web.

Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for America’s Premier Certified Media Placement Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at http://mywebcashstore.com/mcmahon7149.
Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.

Building Better Customer Service, 7-Ways to Build Trust and Increase Business

Everything from an outstanding relationship with a customer to a long lasting marriage is built on trust. Trust affects confidence in how sure we feel, our ability to approach other people or things, and our integrity and interpretation of other’s integrity (whether consciously aware of it or not). It affects who we’ll do business with, who we’ll befriend, and who we’ll listen to and go the extra mile for.

When trust levels are high we tend to be more productive and relaxed open to insights and learning. When trust levels are low, we are on guard and uncomfortable—not open to learning or insights.How can you build trust in your life? Here are some tips to help you out.

1.) Be a confidential agent - Become a trustworthy listener and confident by keeping private matters private. If something is told to you in confidence show trust by keeping it secret.

2.) Display trust in others – Note that those individuals that are different or hold a differing opinion or belief can be trustworthy themselves. Be aware of discrimination or distinction in your preferences to ensure that is not keeping you from trusting those who are different than you. Don’t use inclusive language that’s presumptuous of others distinctions or preferences.

3.) Learn to read trustworthy people – Unfortunately not everyone can be trusted. There is a definite balancing act between trusting too much and not trusting enough. Be careful of blindly trusting someone but do enjoy an honest confidence in another person or thing. Rely on your gut instinct—hone it!!

4.) Forgive and Forget – Stop being angry with others and cancel out the negative energy that is coming from you. It’s amazing how resentment against someone else can keep you from succeeding in all areas of your life.

5.) Keep your promises – When you make a promise of something to somebody and follow through on those commitments your friends and customers will know you care about them, are reliable, and can be counted on in the future.

6.) Be truthful – Communicate honestly and with integrity in all your dealings. Like the Bible says in John 8:32, “And you will know the Truth Shall, and the truth will make you free.” Honesty really is the best policy and makes you more sincere and genuine which is felt by others.

7.) Be a good listener – Make a conscious effort to really hear what others are saying, asking for, and want. Paying close attention to others is one of the biggest success principles.

Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for America’s Premier Certified Media Placement Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at http://mywebcashstore.com/mcmahon7149. Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.

Home Business Tips - How's My Time? Am I Using it Wisely?

Prioritizing your time is a skill that is critical to success and unfortunately one that most people are not taught.

I remember a time in high school where everyone was cleaning their locker at the end of the day. I decided that it would be more effective to put my boots on then instead of cleaning around them and having to take even more time later. My teacher thought I was being insolent and I got into big trouble. I did not get the opportunity to explain that I was, in my mind, using my time more effectively and she obviously did not see my point of view.

Each and every one of us has 86,400 seconds in a day, how you chose to invest your seconds will result in the actions that take your business to the next level, or not.

It is not about letting go or delegating tasks it is more about holding on to your focused productive, product creation time. Personally I know that my most creative idea time is in the morning. Therefore I invest my morning time in tasks that require that skill rather than the mundane routine tasks that I can do with my eyes closed. I save those task for later in the day when I am not at my most creative.

I can hear you asking yourself "How Do I Start?"...

1) Belief structure, know that you can invest your time for your best advantage. How you invest your time is simply a habit and like all other habits it can be changed

2) Model to follow, find the model that works for you. I found the model for investing my time with article writing on Twitter. I have a great model that I tweek and modify it to suit my needs; to make it work the best for my business. You can do the same.

3) Position yourself to be able to take best advantage of your own time. Prepare in advance for events and times that you know are going to be critical. Do as much as you can in advance so that when the rush comes you can get everything done with a minimum of stress.
We all come to a fork in the road many times in our lives. What decisions are you making? In order to achieve success in your own home business you must be willing to do the things others will not do. I wrote this article on the rapid transit train surrounded by people who were all reading the negative news. Instead of filling your brain and heart with negative news during your commuting time you could be learning something new. Preparing yourself with a new skill so that when your job or business change you can change right along with it. The alternative could be no job or business.

Investing your time in YOU will pay off big time!

Now, I would like to invite you to get your Free Instant Access to the first chapter of my current eBook titled "How To Fire Your Boss and Have Him Hate to See You Go". Go To http://www.retirewithcarla.com/freechapter.htm
Brought to you by Carla McNeil - International Champion Recruiter - Business Builder
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carla_McNeil

Media Placement: The Untold Story Behind ALL Major Breakthrough Business Successes

Success in business is a rare thing. Most businesses fail today, not because they were built upon bad ideas, but because most business owners do not focus on what truly makes the difference between success and failure.

There is one skill, above and beyond any other skill, that is critical to your success in business. If you do not learn to adapt this skill, your business idea will probably either fail or not reach your intended level of success like ninety-eight percent of all start up businesses in the world today.
It does not matter whether you are running a restaurant, a retail store, an Internet business, or a h@me-based business; the necessity is still the same. This one skill is the biggest reason for success and failure in business.

Oprah knows the secret; so does Time Warner, Ted Tuner, McDonald's, Google, and Bill Gates. I could go on and on. They know the secret. Do you?

What is the secret?

It is the art and science of "Media Placement." This one skill reaps more rewards than any other aspect of business. You want to become a "Media Placement Specialist."
You might ask, "What is a 'Media Placement Specialist?'" Well, first of all, this is not about getting a certification to put on your resume to get a job. It is how to specialize in the skill of placing media to promote your business. It is also bigger than "traditional marketing."
When someone masters the art and science of placing media, they start to control the game. If they master many areas, they are what many experts call a "media mogul." A "media mogul" controls different forms of media and, ultimately, marketing.

Oprah Winfrey is a great example. She is self-made. She is a self-made billionaire media mogul. Oprah is now the owner of Harpo Productions, has her own TV show, had a radio show, and does print media and Internet marketing.

When you master the art and science of media placement, the idea is simple. Start small, and find one or two methods of media placement that work for you. You could start by trying Internet media placement, direct mail, pay-per-click, co-registration, or articles. The idea is to find a couple of means, start them working for you, and then you can grow your business and expand the types and amounts of media you use.

Today, Internet marketing is one of many media placement strategies you could use. It could be the single fastest, least expensive, low-risk type of media available today if you take the time to learn some of the secrets. Once you do your testing on the Internet, it makes it easy to expand into other types of media quickly.

There are many resources you can find that are available to learn the art of marketing, but there are very resources that teach the mastery of media placement. Take the time to learn it. It could become the best investment you have ever made.

Mary Gersten is the V.P. of Operations for Global Cashflow Network, Inc., a continuing education and business development company best known for their industry changing 'Certified Media Placement Specialist (CMPs)' program. Free Tips And Training http://www.MaryGersten-thetruth.com . Find out if you qualify to be trained as a CMPs at http://www.BecomeACMPS.com.
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