This year, I’ve had the honor and privilege to launch some brand new online marketing campaigns for some really awesome companies. I am truly grateful for my clients. As I’ve crafted these Internet marketing initiatives for my clients, I began to realize that I’m still using many of the same techniques I used way back when I first started my career back in 1994. And, guess what? They still work today!
Think back to 1994. Most likely, you were not thinking much about Internet marketing at that time. In fact, you probably did not even have an email address. In 1994, SPAM was something you ate for breakfast and “the web” was something you frantically brushed off your body after it wrapped itself around your face as you walked through it on your way our your front door. Terms such as Google, URL, AOL, HTML, Yahoo, EBAY, DSL and DOT COM were not part of your vocabulary. In 1994, I began my career as an Internet Marketer. If you remember using a 300 baud modem to connect to the Internet and Alta Vista to search The Web–you were right there with me.
So, now, in 2009, we have different names for the tools and services we use, but the job of Internet marketing is quite similar to what it has always been. Here’s what it boils down to:
- First, choose a product or service that is desired by a target group of consumers
- Develop Unique Selling Propositions for your product or service
- Intimately evaluate and honestly stack yourself up against your core competition
- Leverage ALL facets of Internet Marketing especially viral marketing techniques
- Use offline marketing to support your online business
- Define and measure key success indicators on a weekly and monthly basis
- Report information to sales, customer service, merchandising and supply chain vendors
- Make constant, never ending, efficiency improvements (i.e. optimization)
- Develop mechanisms for involving your customer-base in providing input
- Get everyone involved into the online marketing and sales effort
The point of this is simple. Don’t get overly caught up in all of the hyperbola surrounding “new” and innovative ways to reach your customer base online or, for that matter, offline. Should you use new Internet marketing vehicles such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs, mobile phone marketing and more to support your efforts? Absolutely! Just make sure you don’t miss out on any of the core foundational marketing techniques that have worked for decades. Even GIF banner advertising has a place in your strategy–trust me.
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Brian,
I saw you in the interview with Maria. Congratulations on the business going so well.
After viewing the video i wanted to check out your Blog. I like it and what you have to say. This particular post is very timely. I am just getting ready to publish my first site http://www.Bestbedbugcontrol.com and have been overwhelmed with all the ways to promote the site. With your advise not to forget the basics and the Google Keyword search information form previous posts I feel better about my efforts.
Keep up the good work I will be following your posts.
Thanks
Otha