The Cornerstone of Internet Marketing

Posted on by
Reply


Email Marketing can and should be in nearly every business’ website mix I can think of. It is almost important enough that any business should be assuming it is critical rather than even wondering about it as an option. And as far as the “not tech savvy” card, I don’t buy that excuse. As hunters and gatherers of the 21st century (businesses venturing the realm of the web) our livelihood is no longer the cimeter, but rather mastering web marketing, so let’s get started somewhere. That somewhere happens to be about right after you have a professional website and before you establish that dream database of return customers.

The Social Media Revolution Rant

Posted on by
Reply

In an effort to somehow preach social media to baby boomers, the ignorant,  the denials, the obstinates, even the savages (ok that might be an unfair sweep, but that’s where you prove me wrong w/ your comments below) that “just don’t get” what social media is all about, I’m telling you right now:  Social Media is what it’s all about.  Targeted consumers might be ahead of business, but both are growing.  Don’t believe me?  Watch these videos and then listen to my rant:

Social Media Revolution

Social Media Economics

Here’s the reasoning from my perspective:

Today everything has changed.  Only 14% of the population trust advertising.  Successful companies in social media act more like party planners, agreggators, and content providers than traditional advertisers.  The web phenomenon has completely made a 180 on all the sales and marketing we use to know and love.  Most refuse to let that go and insist the world is still flat.  For those explorers who have seen the promise land: we’re an elite few – a club if you will, with SMM letterman jackets.

Your customers at the click of a mouse can surf the web for answers to nearly any question.  One of SEO Moz‘s crew admittedly said that all of the questions to SEO can be uncovered for free by sifting through the sea of resources available.  I suspect that SEO is not the only category of unlimited knowledge.  With all this information at the fingertips of those who have access to the Internet – it’s mind boggling to realize: businesses can’t hide anything and have lost – their once dominating control – over traditional sales and marketing.  For example as of May 2010, 59% of all American adults access the web wirelessly alone!

People now figure things out on their own now – especially via a mobile device, making knowledge available anytime / anywhere.  If they want to compare your services vs competitors, they search Google.  If the grass is greener on the other side, they don’t need to sit and listen to a sales rep deliver a memorized pitch!  They either research it instantly, or ask a trusted friend or social sphere.  So what’s the sales rep’s role now?  Answer the phone (if the website isn’t handling the transaction).

Social Networks, share information socially.  The good, the bad, the ugly.  Your customers are blatantly honest.  Which can be key to your success and detrimental to your reputation.  It requires the revival of the old school handshake representing honest deals and caring customer retention.  If a business doesn’t fall in line, your customer will broadcast that message in their social sphere, blasting an unforgiving hole in what you thought was your companies’ reputation.  Google and the search engine giants tend to deal a merciless hand to businesses in the name of indexing spiders.  You’re only hope is to combat the social blame game, with a social front of your own.  You fight for your reputation by producing enough good messages and good experiences to outshine the bad.  Are you curious yet to find out what your reputation is like online?

The tables have turned.  Your customers have the upper-hand and businesses are slowly coming to realize this.  You’re simply invited to the party as long as you don’t drink and make a fool of yourself.  They control your brand through collaborative influences and you’re destiny (when you’re willing to join the SMM explorers with awesome jackets) is to succumb to who your customers want you to be.  The exciting part: once you crack this nut, there’s some exciting, measurable opportunities that will blow your traditional methods out of the water.

Targeted Ad Network

Posted on by
Reply

“Targeted Ad Network” is a relatively new web 2.0 concept advertisers must know about.  The idea of this strategy stretches the limits in web technology to give you better ROI.  Specific algorithms are defined to target behavioral or contextual material relative to a target market. They source active, conversational outlets online.  Examples of these are social media sites, user generated news, and blog publishers leading meaningful conversations with targeted key words.

In combination with other websites, a targeted ad network can produce vertical exposure through related websites based on content.  Once a target audience is defined, an advertising campaign can produce frequent impressions as the user visits network websites.   Ads are database-driven and displayed for your target market to view.   If you can define the target market, there are networks pre-established to reach them online.

Advertising can be directed by a genius strategy with an ideal message, but there is still no guarantee.  As the Internet continues to grow in technological influence, more capabilities are being established to grant the ROI every business desires.  Targeted Networks are discovering ways to reach a specific market, at the right time and place online.  Not only can you present the perfect message, but the customer can also act immediately by a simple mouse-click.

Web Designer’s “Quick Fix”

Posted on by
1
website sales and consulting

what you don't see over the phone

It’s amazing how many options a Utah business or any business has for website development online.  All shapes, sizes, platforms, and features out there to help.  From prior experience, working with other web design companies I’ve noticed a pretty common pattern that I call a “Web Designers’ Quick Fix.”  Business owners need to be smart about how they shop around- because most web design companies are a dead-end.

Great salesmen say everything a customer wants to hear.  If the customer asks them to jump, the say how high?  Unfortunately a lot of business owners that I’ve worked with need insight, consultation, and professional advice.  The web appears to be a goldmine with instant success, but any web marketer realizes the challenge at stake.  If the customer doesn’t ask about how to be successful- the web design company doesn’t worry about it.  If the customer doesn’t ask, “will I even get any results?”  The web design company doesn’t respond.  The “Web Designers’ Quick Fix” is to simply do exactly what the customer wants- no questions, no advice, no professional insight.  The customer is happy once the custom website is up, but for how long?  Good luck.

I’m speaking to the businesses that realize they need help.  That realize they may not be an expert.  I’m also speaking to web design companies who offer the “Web Designers’ Quick Fix” and those who really service businesses to succeed.  If you’re the latter – thanks!  I dare say that everyone wants success online – so let’s make it happen.

Let’s honestly take care of our customers and lead them to generate results online.  At Pivo, we strongly believe in “empowering businesses online.”  Give the business owner the tools they need to take off!  We admit, Pivo is not the only answer out there, but we challenge all web designers to take our services to another level- especially in this challenging economy when every penny counts.