In this marketing course we will revisit your marketing goals and determine what it is that you hope to achieve in the upcoming year with your marketing efforts. Often companies avoid this process because they don't know where to begin the process. That is what I am here for.
Syllabus
Over the next six days I will walk you through the steps of creating a solid marketing plan. At the end of our course you will have completed the following:
Preparation of your mission statement and vision for the upcoming year.Discover and define your niche markets.Develop your value proposition.Develop and plan your marketing strategy.Develop your marketing mix.Create a marketing calendar that contains a month-by-month schedule of marketing activities and events for the upcoming year.
When you have finished the course you will have a strong marketing plan in your hand. This will become an important tool that will help you work smarter not harder at achieving your marketing goals. Each year you will want to revisit this marketing course and revise your marketing plan. Your marketing plan should reflect changes and goals based on the previous year's marketing experience.
How it Works
Each day you will receive a new lesson and assignment to complete. I will coach you through the 6 days and by the time you have completed the 6th day you will have created your annual marketing plan. Sign up below to get started today.E-mail address:
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Marketing vs. Advertising
: What's the Difference?By Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:marketing vs. advertsingcomponents of marketingsmall-business advertising
You will often find that many people confuse marketing with advertising or vice versa. While both components are important they are very different. Knowing the difference and doing your market research can put your company on the path to substantial growth.
Let's start off by reviewing the formal definitions of each and then I'll go into the explanation of how marketing and advertising differ from one another:
Advertising: The paid, public, non-personal announcement of a persuasive message by an identified sponsor; the non-personal presentation or promotion by a firm of its products to its existing and potential customers.
Marketing: The systematic planning, implementation and control of a mix of business activities intended to bring together buyers and sellers for the mutually advantageous exchange or transfer of products.
After reading both of the definitions it is easy to understand how the difference can be confusing to the point that people think of them as one-in-the same, so lets break it down a bit.
Advertising is a single component of the marketing process. It's the part that involves getting the word out concerning your business, product, or the services you are offering. It involves the process of developing strategies such as ad placement, frequency, etc. Advertising includes the placement of an ad in such mediums as newspapers, direct mail, billboards, television, radio, and of course the Internet. Advertising is the largest expense of most marketing plans, with public relations following in a close second and market research not falling far behind.
The best way to distinguish between advertising and marketing is to think of marketing as a pie, inside that pie you have slices of advertising, market research, media planning, public relations, product pricing, distribution, customer support, sales strategy, and community involvement. Advertising only equals one piece of the pie in the strategy. All of these elements must not only work independently but they also must work together towards the bigger goal. Marketing is a process that takes time and can involve hours of research for a marketing plan to be effective. Think of marketing as everything that an organization does to facilitate an exchange between company and consumer.
Suggested ReadingWhat is Marketing?Marketing Terms and GlossaryFirst Steps to Marketing a Small BusinessRelated ArticlesMarketing - Marketing Strategies - 6 Simple Marketing StrategiesMarketing Strategies: Maximizing Your Small Business Marketing StrategiesMarketing - What is the Difference Between Advertising and Marketing?Export Marketing Strategies for Successful International MarketingCareers in Marketing - Marketing Jobs - Jobs in Marketing
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Searches formal definitions direct mail personal announcement persuasive message distribution customer personal presentationExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:marketing vs. advertsingcomponents of marketingsmall-business advertisingBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and Research
MarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingMarketing MethodsAdvertising: What's the Difference?Most PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices
©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
You will often find that many people confuse marketing with advertising or vice versa. While both components are important they are very different. Knowing the difference and doing your market research can put your company on the path to substantial growth.
Let's start off by reviewing the formal definitions of each and then I'll go into the explanation of how marketing and advertising differ from one another:
Advertising: The paid, public, non-personal announcement of a persuasive message by an identified sponsor; the non-personal presentation or promotion by a firm of its products to its existing and potential customers.
Marketing: The systematic planning, implementation and control of a mix of business activities intended to bring together buyers and sellers for the mutually advantageous exchange or transfer of products.
After reading both of the definitions it is easy to understand how the difference can be confusing to the point that people think of them as one-in-the same, so lets break it down a bit.
Advertising is a single component of the marketing process. It's the part that involves getting the word out concerning your business, product, or the services you are offering. It involves the process of developing strategies such as ad placement, frequency, etc. Advertising includes the placement of an ad in such mediums as newspapers, direct mail, billboards, television, radio, and of course the Internet. Advertising is the largest expense of most marketing plans, with public relations following in a close second and market research not falling far behind.
The best way to distinguish between advertising and marketing is to think of marketing as a pie, inside that pie you have slices of advertising, market research, media planning, public relations, product pricing, distribution, customer support, sales strategy, and community involvement. Advertising only equals one piece of the pie in the strategy. All of these elements must not only work independently but they also must work together towards the bigger goal. Marketing is a process that takes time and can involve hours of research for a marketing plan to be effective. Think of marketing as everything that an organization does to facilitate an exchange between company and consumer.
Suggested ReadingWhat is Marketing?Marketing Terms and GlossaryFirst Steps to Marketing a Small BusinessRelated ArticlesMarketing - Marketing Strategies - 6 Simple Marketing StrategiesMarketing Strategies: Maximizing Your Small Business Marketing StrategiesMarketing - What is the Difference Between Advertising and Marketing?Export Marketing Strategies for Successful International MarketingCareers in Marketing - Marketing Jobs - Jobs in Marketing
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Searches formal definitions direct mail personal announcement persuasive message distribution customer personal presentationExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:marketing vs. advertsingcomponents of marketingsmall-business advertisingBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and Research
MarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingMarketing MethodsAdvertising: What's the Difference?Most PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
Marketing Mix
target marketingYour is a combination of marketing tools that are used to satisfy customers and company objectives. Consumers often call the "the offering." Your offer is controlled by the following variables often referred to as the four Ps in marketing:
Product Price Place (Distribution) Promotion
By using variations of these four components you have the ability to reach multiple consumers within your target market.
Creating a successful that will increase results often takes experimenting and market research. There are many methods that can be used, both in person and the use of impersonal presentations. The key is to not always depend on "one" mix always explore other avenues. The combining and coordination of these elements will be more effective than depending on one.
You must coordinate all elements so that the prospective consumer is not being sent mixed messages that can cause confusion. Do all of your elements contain the same message? Take for example the following scenario:
We are a company that specializes in marketing services and we cater to physicians, however the products we offer fulfill the needs of lead generation for lawyers. Our price is geared an enterprise budget and our magazine advertisements and promotions are being placed in magazines that have a subscription base of senior citizens.
Do you see a problem with this? While in this scenario it is very obvious, I guarantee that by looking at your you may find discrepancies that surprise you. Always make sure that your has a message that speaks in unison.
For instance make sure that if you have a practice that caters to a niche market that your product is geared towards the need of that market, your price is within the budget of that market, you are distribution your product or service where it will be seen by that market, and gear your promotion to solve the problems that they are encountering.
If you remember one thing from this article it is that one of the main keys to the success of any marketing program is the ability to work effectively in shaping es that meet the nature and needs of your specified target market.Suggested ReadingFirst Steps to Marketing a Small BusinessIn Marketing You Must Know Your Target - Definition of Related ArticlesUnderstanding the Difference Between B2B and B2C MarketingFour Small Business Marketing Steps You Need to Put Into CheckDefine Your Customer Before MarketingWriting a Business Plan - Market AnalysisCreate a Marketing and Promotion Plan
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Video
Brian Price, executive director of marketing 
Doug Stevenson and Gabe Greenberg interviewMore VideosSee All About.com VideosRelated Searches target market prospective consumer enterprise budget magazine advertisements niche market Explore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:four ps of marketingtarget marketingBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and ResearchMarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyStrategy TutorialsDeveloping Your Marketing - 4 Ps of MarketingMost PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices
©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
Product Price Place (Distribution) Promotion
By using variations of these four components you have the ability to reach multiple consumers within your target market.
Creating a successful that will increase results often takes experimenting and market research. There are many methods that can be used, both in person and the use of impersonal presentations. The key is to not always depend on "one" mix always explore other avenues. The combining and coordination of these elements will be more effective than depending on one.
You must coordinate all elements so that the prospective consumer is not being sent mixed messages that can cause confusion. Do all of your elements contain the same message? Take for example the following scenario:
We are a company that specializes in marketing services and we cater to physicians, however the products we offer fulfill the needs of lead generation for lawyers. Our price is geared an enterprise budget and our magazine advertisements and promotions are being placed in magazines that have a subscription base of senior citizens.
Do you see a problem with this? While in this scenario it is very obvious, I guarantee that by looking at your you may find discrepancies that surprise you. Always make sure that your has a message that speaks in unison.
For instance make sure that if you have a practice that caters to a niche market that your product is geared towards the need of that market, your price is within the budget of that market, you are distribution your product or service where it will be seen by that market, and gear your promotion to solve the problems that they are encountering.
If you remember one thing from this article it is that one of the main keys to the success of any marketing program is the ability to work effectively in shaping es that meet the nature and needs of your specified target market.Suggested ReadingFirst Steps to Marketing a Small BusinessIn Marketing You Must Know Your Target - Definition of Related ArticlesUnderstanding the Difference Between B2B and B2C MarketingFour Small Business Marketing Steps You Need to Put Into CheckDefine Your Customer Before MarketingWriting a Business Plan - Market AnalysisCreate a Marketing and Promotion Plan
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Video
Brian Price, executive director of marketing Doug Stevenson and Gabe Greenberg interviewMore VideosSee All About.com VideosRelated Searches target market prospective consumer enterprise budget magazine advertisements niche market Explore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:four ps of marketingtarget marketingBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and ResearchMarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyStrategy TutorialsDeveloping Your Marketing - 4 Ps of MarketingMost PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
Breaking Into Marketing
#abm #rnCt li{list-style-type:none;margin-bottom:0.5em;}#rnCt .rnDt .r,#rnCt .rnDt .b{color:#707070;font-weight:bold;}#rnCt .rnDt .b{margin-left:12px;}#tt26 #comments dt .date{margin:1px 10px 0 0;}Breaking Into the Career Field of MarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketing
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Discuss in my forum
Breaking Into the Career Field of MarketingBy Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:marketing careerscareers in marketingmarketing jobs
A career in marketing is enjoyable and fun. Most people who work in marketing will tell you it provides them with the challenge they have always wanted. The reason being is marketing is always changing; there are always techniques to learn, cases to study, and strategies to research.
Do you have what it takes?
Can you communicate your thoughts, ideas, and information clearly and concisely both in writing and verbally? Are you able to recognize problems and devise an appropriate plan of action to resolve that problem? Can you organize and interpret complex data? Are you good at generating new ideas? Can you then take and organize those ideas and communicate them verbally?
If you possess the qualities above then you could be a good candidate for entering and being successful in the career of marketing. Marketing offers various career opportunities, so it's easy to choose one that reflects your interest, values, and personal style.
As a marketing major you can gain experience in your chosen career by participating in an internship or volunteering in service learning and community projects. Samples of potential experiences include: Conducting Market Research for a Fortune 500 Company. Promoting products through development of Point-of-Purchase displays. Spending time reviewing potential cost, price, and market research for service programs. Learning how to research customer base potential using available data. Designing an advertising or promotional campaign to promote new services. Developing a marketing plan for a global business.
What if you don't have a college degree in marketing?
Don't worry. I think you will find the statistics in the chart to the right not only interesting, but encouraging. The table below shows the percentage and the degree background of new graduates that have begun a career in marketing.
So now that I've given you hope, how do you get your foot in the door? It will take determination and persistence, but it can be done. You will find that a start in marketing will normally put you in an entry position as a market research assistant, print buyer, general management trainee, or you can enter a program as a graduate trainee.
A few companies that offer marketing graduate trainee programs include:
Mars
Mars does not have a specific marketing training program for graduates. They run a cross-functional management development program, through which graduates have access to opportunities in marketing. Recruits to the program are typically given three to four assignments, the first of which may be related to their experience or studies. The remaining assignments will be in other areas, and one may be overseas. Their goal is to broaden trainees' experiences.
Nestle
Nestle has recently changed its approach to hiring graduates. Nestle recruits in a similar fashion as to how they recruit other employee levels. Each department now recruits graduates throughout the year on an 'as-required' basis. Vacancies will be posted and advertised throughout the year.
Procter and Gamble
Procter & Gamble's graduate training program recruits graduates into one of eight career tracks, including consumer and market knowledge and marketing. Consumer and market knowledge involves sophisticated and proactive market research-based work to identify business opportunities, including new product development. The marketing function involves growing the value of brands within the P&G product range. Marketing trainees will learn about advertising, PR, consumer bonding, direct marketing and project management within their first two years. The applicants are selected according to application form, a problem-solving test, interview, and site visit, where they will meet prospective managers and colleagues.
If you decide that the graduate training program route is not for you; you can still break into the field of marketing by being persistent. You will need to be willing to take on an entry-level position in most marketing agencies and work your way up. If this isn't a problem then it's time to begin your first marketing assignment, which is marketing you by developing that resume.Readers Respond: Marketing Career Success StoryRead responses (2) How I Got My Career BreakRelated ArticlesBreak into the Career Field of Marketing Without a Marketing DegreeBreaking Into the Career Field of MarketingCareers in Marketing - Marketing Jobs - Jobs in MarketingMarketing Careers - Comparing Marketing CareersExploring Careers and Jobs in Marketing
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated VideoBrian Price, executive director of marketing Brian Price, executive director of marketing More VideosSee All About.com VideosRelated Searches fortune 500 company point of purchase displays developing a marketing plan conducting market research interest values marketing marketingExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:marketing careerscareers in marketingmarketing jobsBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and ResearchMarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingCareers in MarketingBreaking Into the Career Field of Marketing>Most PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices
©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
MarketingSearchMarketingWhat is Branding?Marketing CareersPublic RelationsShareFree Marketing Newsletter!Sign UpDiscuss in my forum
Breaking Into the Career Field of MarketingBy Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:marketing careerscareers in marketingmarketing jobs
A career in marketing is enjoyable and fun. Most people who work in marketing will tell you it provides them with the challenge they have always wanted. The reason being is marketing is always changing; there are always techniques to learn, cases to study, and strategies to research.Do you have what it takes?
Can you communicate your thoughts, ideas, and information clearly and concisely both in writing and verbally? Are you able to recognize problems and devise an appropriate plan of action to resolve that problem? Can you organize and interpret complex data? Are you good at generating new ideas? Can you then take and organize those ideas and communicate them verbally?
If you possess the qualities above then you could be a good candidate for entering and being successful in the career of marketing. Marketing offers various career opportunities, so it's easy to choose one that reflects your interest, values, and personal style.
As a marketing major you can gain experience in your chosen career by participating in an internship or volunteering in service learning and community projects. Samples of potential experiences include: Conducting Market Research for a Fortune 500 Company. Promoting products through development of Point-of-Purchase displays. Spending time reviewing potential cost, price, and market research for service programs. Learning how to research customer base potential using available data. Designing an advertising or promotional campaign to promote new services. Developing a marketing plan for a global business.
What if you don't have a college degree in marketing?
Don't worry. I think you will find the statistics in the chart to the right not only interesting, but encouraging. The table below shows the percentage and the degree background of new graduates that have begun a career in marketing.
So now that I've given you hope, how do you get your foot in the door? It will take determination and persistence, but it can be done. You will find that a start in marketing will normally put you in an entry position as a market research assistant, print buyer, general management trainee, or you can enter a program as a graduate trainee.
A few companies that offer marketing graduate trainee programs include:
Mars
Mars does not have a specific marketing training program for graduates. They run a cross-functional management development program, through which graduates have access to opportunities in marketing. Recruits to the program are typically given three to four assignments, the first of which may be related to their experience or studies. The remaining assignments will be in other areas, and one may be overseas. Their goal is to broaden trainees' experiences.
Nestle
Nestle has recently changed its approach to hiring graduates. Nestle recruits in a similar fashion as to how they recruit other employee levels. Each department now recruits graduates throughout the year on an 'as-required' basis. Vacancies will be posted and advertised throughout the year.
Procter and Gamble
Procter & Gamble's graduate training program recruits graduates into one of eight career tracks, including consumer and market knowledge and marketing. Consumer and market knowledge involves sophisticated and proactive market research-based work to identify business opportunities, including new product development. The marketing function involves growing the value of brands within the P&G product range. Marketing trainees will learn about advertising, PR, consumer bonding, direct marketing and project management within their first two years. The applicants are selected according to application form, a problem-solving test, interview, and site visit, where they will meet prospective managers and colleagues.
If you decide that the graduate training program route is not for you; you can still break into the field of marketing by being persistent. You will need to be willing to take on an entry-level position in most marketing agencies and work your way up. If this isn't a problem then it's time to begin your first marketing assignment, which is marketing you by developing that resume.Readers Respond: Marketing Career Success StoryRead responses (2) How I Got My Career BreakRelated ArticlesBreak into the Career Field of Marketing Without a Marketing DegreeBreaking Into the Career Field of MarketingCareers in Marketing - Marketing Jobs - Jobs in MarketingMarketing Careers - Comparing Marketing CareersExploring Careers and Jobs in Marketing
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Video
Brian Price, executive director of marketing Brian Price, executive director of marketing More VideosSee All About.com VideosRelated Searches fortune 500 company point of purchase displays developing a marketing plan conducting market research interest values marketing marketingExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:marketing careerscareers in marketingmarketing jobsBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and ResearchMarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingCareers in MarketingBreaking Into the Career Field of Marketing>Most PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
Top 10 Internet Marketing Tips
#abm #rnCt li{list-style-type:none;margin-bottom:0.5em;}#rnCt .rnDt .r,#rnCt .rnDt .b{color:#707070;font-weight:bold;}#rnCt .rnDt .b{margin-left:12px;}#tt26 #comments dt .date{margin:1px 10px 0 0;}Top 10 Internet Marketing StrategiesHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketing
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Discuss in my forum
Top 10 Internet Marketing StrategiesBy Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:internet marketinginternet marketing strategyInternet marketing can attract more people to your website, increase customers for your business, and enhance branding of your company and products. If you are just beginning your online marketing strategy the top 10 list below will get you started on a plan that has worked for many.
Start with a web promotion plan and an effective web design and development strategy.
Get ranked at the top in major search engines, and practice good Search Optimization Techniques.
Learn to use Email Marketing Effectively.
Dominate your marketing niche with affiliate, reseller, and associate programs.
Request an analysis from an Internet marketing coach or Internet marketing consultant.
Build a responsive opt-in email list.
Publish articles or get listed in news stories.
Write and publish online press releases.
Facilitate and run contests and giveaways via your web site.
Blog and interact with your visitors.
By following the above tips you'll be on your way to creating a concrete internet marketing strategy that could boost your business substantially.Related ArticlesTop 10 Internet Marketing Strategies3 More Ways of Marketing Online - Marketing Online - Marketing Online Strat...Marketing Plans Versus Marketing StrategyMarketing Strategy - How to Write a Small Business Plan Marketing StrategyInternet Marketing Strategy: What Can it Do for You?
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Searches web promotion plan online marketing strategy internet marketing consultant internet marketing strategy major search engines search optimizationExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:internet marketinginternet marketing strategyBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and ResearchMarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingInternet MarketingInternet Marketing StrategyTop 10 Internet Marketing Strategies>Most PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices
©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
MarketingSearchMarketingWhat is Branding?Marketing CareersPublic RelationsShareFree Marketing Newsletter!Sign UpDiscuss in my forum
Top 10 Internet Marketing StrategiesBy Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:internet marketinginternet marketing strategyInternet marketing can attract more people to your website, increase customers for your business, and enhance branding of your company and products. If you are just beginning your online marketing strategy the top 10 list below will get you started on a plan that has worked for many.
Start with a web promotion plan and an effective web design and development strategy.
Get ranked at the top in major search engines, and practice good Search Optimization Techniques.
Learn to use Email Marketing Effectively.
Dominate your marketing niche with affiliate, reseller, and associate programs.
Request an analysis from an Internet marketing coach or Internet marketing consultant.
Build a responsive opt-in email list.
Publish articles or get listed in news stories.
Write and publish online press releases.
Facilitate and run contests and giveaways via your web site.
Blog and interact with your visitors.
By following the above tips you'll be on your way to creating a concrete internet marketing strategy that could boost your business substantially.Related ArticlesTop 10 Internet Marketing Strategies3 More Ways of Marketing Online - Marketing Online - Marketing Online Strat...Marketing Plans Versus Marketing StrategyMarketing Strategy - How to Write a Small Business Plan Marketing StrategyInternet Marketing Strategy: What Can it Do for You?
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Searches web promotion plan online marketing strategy internet marketing consultant internet marketing strategy major search engines search optimizationExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:internet marketinginternet marketing strategyBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and Research
MarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingInternet MarketingInternet Marketing StrategyTop 10 Internet Marketing Strategies>Most PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
Small Business Marketing
marketing basicsThe essence of marketing is to understand your customers' needs and develop a plan that surrounds those needs. Let's face it anyone that has a business has a desire to grow their business. The most effective way to grow and expand your business is by focusing on organic growth.
You can increase organic growth in four different ways. They include:Acquiring more customers Persuading each customer to buy more products Persuading each customer to buy more expensive products or up selling each customer Persuading each customer to buy more profitable products
All four of these increase your revenue and profit. Let me encourage you to focus on the first which is to acquire more customers. Why? Because by acquiring more customers you increase your customer base and your revenues then come from a larger base.
How can you use marketing to acquire more customers?Spend time researching and create a strategic marketing plan. Guide your product development to reach out to customers you aren't currently attracting. Price your products and services competitively. Develop your message and materials based on solution marketing.
The Importance of a Target Market in Small Business
When it comes to your customers keep in mind the importance of target marketing. The reason this is important is that only a proportion of the population is likely to purchase any products or service. By taking time pitch your sales and marketing efforts to the correct niche market you will be more productive and not waste your efforts or time.
It's important to consider your virtual segmentation by selecting particular verticals to present your offerings to. Those verticals will have the particular likelihood of purchasing your products and services. Again, this saves you from wasting valuable time and money.
and Large Business Marketing are Different
If you are like the majority of small business owners your marketing budget is limited. The most effective way to market a small business is to create a well rounded program that combines sales activities with your marketing tactics. Your sales activities will not only decrease your out-of-pocket marketing expense but it also adds the value of interacting with your prospective customers and clients. This interaction will provide you with research that is priceless.
Small businesses typically have a limited marketing budget if any at all. Does that mean you can't run with the big dogs? Absolutely not. It just means you have to think a little more creatively. How about launching your marketing campaign by doing one of the following: Call your vendors or associates and ask them to participate with you in co-op advertising.Take some time to send your existing customers' referrals and buying incentives. Have you thought about introducing yourself to the media? Free publicity has the potential to boost your business. By doing this you position yourself as an expert in your field. Invite people into your place of business by piggybacking onto an event. Is there a concert coming to town, are you willing to sell those tickets? It could mean free radio publicity. If that is not your cup of tea, how about a walkathon that is taking place in your area, why not be a public outreach and distribute their material?
When you do spend money on marketing, do not forget to create a way to track those marketing efforts. You can do this by coding your ads, using multiple toll-free telephone numbers, and asking prospects where they heard about you. This enables you to notice when a marketing tactic stops working. You can then quickly replace it with a better choice or method.
Getting Started with
By being diligent in your marketing and creating an easy strategy such as holding yourself accountable to contact ten customers or potential customers daily five days a week you will see your business grow at an exceptional rate. The great thing is it will not take a large marketing budget to make it happen.Suggested Reading - First Steps to Marketing a Small BusinessMarketing Courses and TutorialsWhy Consumers Buy What They BuyRelated ArticlesMarketing Basics for the Small BusinessUsing Online and Web Tools to Maximize Your Small Business ResultsMarketing Tips for the Small BusinessMarketing Budgets - Cost-Effective Marketing Strategies for Your Small Busi...Marketing Plan: Low-Budget High-Impact Marketing Plan
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated VideoBrian Price, executive director of marketing 
Learn the Basics of Event PlanningMore VideosSee All About.com VideosRelated Searches strategic marketing plan target marketing small business owners target market solution marketingExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:marketing basicsBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and ResearchMarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingMarketing BasicsMarketing Basics for the Small BusinessMost PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices
©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
You can increase organic growth in four different ways. They include:Acquiring more customers Persuading each customer to buy more products Persuading each customer to buy more expensive products or up selling each customer Persuading each customer to buy more profitable products
All four of these increase your revenue and profit. Let me encourage you to focus on the first which is to acquire more customers. Why? Because by acquiring more customers you increase your customer base and your revenues then come from a larger base.
How can you use marketing to acquire more customers?Spend time researching and create a strategic marketing plan. Guide your product development to reach out to customers you aren't currently attracting. Price your products and services competitively. Develop your message and materials based on solution marketing.
The Importance of a Target Market in Small Business
When it comes to your customers keep in mind the importance of target marketing. The reason this is important is that only a proportion of the population is likely to purchase any products or service. By taking time pitch your sales and marketing efforts to the correct niche market you will be more productive and not waste your efforts or time.
It's important to consider your virtual segmentation by selecting particular verticals to present your offerings to. Those verticals will have the particular likelihood of purchasing your products and services. Again, this saves you from wasting valuable time and money.
and Large Business Marketing are Different
If you are like the majority of small business owners your marketing budget is limited. The most effective way to market a small business is to create a well rounded program that combines sales activities with your marketing tactics. Your sales activities will not only decrease your out-of-pocket marketing expense but it also adds the value of interacting with your prospective customers and clients. This interaction will provide you with research that is priceless.
Small businesses typically have a limited marketing budget if any at all. Does that mean you can't run with the big dogs? Absolutely not. It just means you have to think a little more creatively. How about launching your marketing campaign by doing one of the following: Call your vendors or associates and ask them to participate with you in co-op advertising.Take some time to send your existing customers' referrals and buying incentives. Have you thought about introducing yourself to the media? Free publicity has the potential to boost your business. By doing this you position yourself as an expert in your field. Invite people into your place of business by piggybacking onto an event. Is there a concert coming to town, are you willing to sell those tickets? It could mean free radio publicity. If that is not your cup of tea, how about a walkathon that is taking place in your area, why not be a public outreach and distribute their material?
When you do spend money on marketing, do not forget to create a way to track those marketing efforts. You can do this by coding your ads, using multiple toll-free telephone numbers, and asking prospects where they heard about you. This enables you to notice when a marketing tactic stops working. You can then quickly replace it with a better choice or method.
Getting Started with
By being diligent in your marketing and creating an easy strategy such as holding yourself accountable to contact ten customers or potential customers daily five days a week you will see your business grow at an exceptional rate. The great thing is it will not take a large marketing budget to make it happen.Suggested Reading - First Steps to Marketing a Small BusinessMarketing Courses and TutorialsWhy Consumers Buy What They BuyRelated ArticlesMarketing Basics for the Small BusinessUsing Online and Web Tools to Maximize Your Small Business ResultsMarketing Tips for the Small BusinessMarketing Budgets - Cost-Effective Marketing Strategies for Your Small Busi...Marketing Plan: Low-Budget High-Impact Marketing Plan
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Video
Brian Price, executive director of marketing Learn the Basics of Event PlanningMore VideosSee All About.com VideosRelated Searches strategic marketing plan target marketing small business owners target market solution marketingExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:marketing basicsBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and ResearchMarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingMarketing BasicsMarketing Basics for the Small BusinessMost PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
First Steps to Marketing
a Small BusinessBy Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:small business marketingmarketing 101marketing basics
It's difficult to start a business, let alone learn how to market it. It's not uncommon for new and small business owners to find themselves in the marketing role and quickly becoming overwhelmed. Don't worry, I'm here to help. There are marketing basics that are important to every small business owner. Marketing is not an expense it's an investment and it's important to have a clear understanding on where to start investing. If you can get this, you are one step ahead.
Let's talk about the basics, shall we? By the end of this series you'll have a clear understanding of not only what marketing is and why you should do it, but you'll also be well on your way to creating your own marketing plan. With a plan in hand and a basic understanding you will have taken the risk out of where your putting those marketing dollars.
What is Marketing?
We often hear about marketing and when we own a business we know it's something we are supposed to do, but what is marketing? There are so many definitions that describe marketing as small business owners understanding what it is can leave us confused. We hear about sales, advertising, public relations and marketing. Is there a difference? There is a difference and when that difference is understood it's easier to understand what tasks should be handled by specific roles within the company and under the specific actions entitled marketing. Good marketing is critical to the success of any business and understanding what it is will help your small business get started on the right foot.
Why Marketing is Worth the Expense
Many companies view marketing as an expense. Truth is when a business understands the importance and the role it plays in growing a business it's clear on why it should be considered an investment. Marketing is crucial when it comes to gaining the attention of prospective consumers and clients, developing products or service demand and turning those prospective consumers into customers. Marketing has an affect on your sales, pricing, promotions and your advertising strategies. When understand the importance of marketing you can use it to promote the ongoing transition of your services and products to the consumer; this can create success in your small business.
Understanding Market Research
Market research helps you to determine how your product or service will be accepted among different demographics. This information can help you in establishing which segment of consumers will have an interest in your product and services and ultimately end up purchasing from you. You can use market research to gain specific information such as determining the age group, gender, location, and income level of potential customers that you should target using your marketing message. Market research enables you to create a marketing plan for your small business that is not only effective, but also cost efficient.
Why Marketing Research is Important to Your Business
You've done your homework and you've invested time in marketing research, so why should you care about marketing research? There is a difference, let me explain. Market research gives the information that you need regarding the market. Marketing research is delving into the behavior and buying habits of a specific segment that you have decided to target and ultimately it saves you money in by helping you avoid costly marketing mistakes. Learn why it's important and how you can use it to be create effective marketing strategies for your small business.
Why Consumers Buy What They Buy
Our marketplace is changing, we see this in the spending habits of consumers as well as in the economy. Consumers are looking for something more than a flashy ad or attention grabbing commercial when considering where to spend their hard earned money. Learn why consumers buy what they buy and how you can influence their decision.
Marketing a Product vs. Marketing a Service
Marketing a service is different than marketing a product. There are certain things you need to consider and different steps you need to take in order to help the consumer feel comfortable. Learn what you what you need to do differently in order to market your service effectively.
What is a Marketing Plan?
A marketing plan serves as a roadmap when it comes to your marketing initiatives. It details the success route that you will need to follow to get your small business noticed by potential customers. A detailed marketing plan will show you what to do and help you understand why you are doing it. It will also help you navigate away from the marketing and business mistakes that will cost you money, time and future growth potential. As a small business owner equipped with a marketing plan, you will feel more organized, have more confidence and a clear vision when it comes to your marketing goals. Put in simple terms a marketing plan increases your chance to achieve the business success that you desire.
Creating a Marketing Budget - How Much Should I Spend on Marketing?
Determining how much of your resources to marketing within your company can be one the biggest obstacles that businesses face. It can also be a key component that can make or break a business. There are guidelines that will help in allocating your resources, learn what I recommend when it comes to marketing budgets.
Create a 90 Day Marketing Plan
If you've never created a marketing plan, I also suggest that you try doing the 90-day plan. It is less intimidating and helps you to focus on the short-term need. You can also focus on the immediate needs of the company. There are many benefits to creating a 90-day plan. Learn how a 90-day plan can keep you on target and help in your overall master planning.
Learn from Others - How I Started Marketing My Small Business Series
Marketing a small business can prove challenging at times; especially in rough economic times. However, many companies are finding success by utilizing new techniques to market their small business. These strategies may include social media marketing, online marketing, traditional marketing and even direct mail. I've asked my readers to share their stories on how they started marketing their small business in hopes that it will inspire, motivate you and make you think of new ways to market that you had not considered previously. Learn how others started marketing their businesses and share your own story.
Marketing Trends for the New Decade
How will your business do in the next decade? I think that all depends on how you market and the relationships that you create and cultivate. It's time to pull those marketing dollars back that aren't working for you and begin to invest them in ways that will give you more of a return. If you are ready, what are you waiting for? I give you my Marketing Predictions for 2010 and the decade that follows - out with the old and in with the new.
Reader Stories: How I Started Marketing My Small BusinessRead Stories (11) Share Your StorySuggested ReadingWhat is Marketing?What Is A Marketing Plan?Share Your Story: How I Started Marketing My Small BusinessRelated ArticlesFour Small Business Marketing Steps You Need to Put Into CheckInternational Marketing Plan - Exporting CanadaMarketing Basics for the Small BusinessMarketing Strategy - How to Write a Small Business Plan Marketing StrategyMarketing Strategy - Tips for Writing a Small Business Plan Marketing Strat...
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Searches prospective consumers small business owner small business owners investment marketing good marketing own marketingExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing Career a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:small business marketingmarketing 101marketing basicsBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and ResearchMarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingCourses and TutorialsSmall Business Marketing - Your Small BusinessMost PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices
©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
It's difficult to start a business, let alone learn how to market it. It's not uncommon for new and small business owners to find themselves in the marketing role and quickly becoming overwhelmed. Don't worry, I'm here to help. There are marketing basics that are important to every small business owner. Marketing is not an expense it's an investment and it's important to have a clear understanding on where to start investing. If you can get this, you are one step ahead.
Let's talk about the basics, shall we? By the end of this series you'll have a clear understanding of not only what marketing is and why you should do it, but you'll also be well on your way to creating your own marketing plan. With a plan in hand and a basic understanding you will have taken the risk out of where your putting those marketing dollars.
What is Marketing?
We often hear about marketing and when we own a business we know it's something we are supposed to do, but what is marketing? There are so many definitions that describe marketing as small business owners understanding what it is can leave us confused. We hear about sales, advertising, public relations and marketing. Is there a difference? There is a difference and when that difference is understood it's easier to understand what tasks should be handled by specific roles within the company and under the specific actions entitled marketing. Good marketing is critical to the success of any business and understanding what it is will help your small business get started on the right foot.
Why Marketing is Worth the Expense
Many companies view marketing as an expense. Truth is when a business understands the importance and the role it plays in growing a business it's clear on why it should be considered an investment. Marketing is crucial when it comes to gaining the attention of prospective consumers and clients, developing products or service demand and turning those prospective consumers into customers. Marketing has an affect on your sales, pricing, promotions and your advertising strategies. When understand the importance of marketing you can use it to promote the ongoing transition of your services and products to the consumer; this can create success in your small business.
Understanding Market Research
Market research helps you to determine how your product or service will be accepted among different demographics. This information can help you in establishing which segment of consumers will have an interest in your product and services and ultimately end up purchasing from you. You can use market research to gain specific information such as determining the age group, gender, location, and income level of potential customers that you should target using your marketing message. Market research enables you to create a marketing plan for your small business that is not only effective, but also cost efficient.
Why Marketing Research is Important to Your Business
You've done your homework and you've invested time in marketing research, so why should you care about marketing research? There is a difference, let me explain. Market research gives the information that you need regarding the market. Marketing research is delving into the behavior and buying habits of a specific segment that you have decided to target and ultimately it saves you money in by helping you avoid costly marketing mistakes. Learn why it's important and how you can use it to be create effective marketing strategies for your small business.
Why Consumers Buy What They Buy
Our marketplace is changing, we see this in the spending habits of consumers as well as in the economy. Consumers are looking for something more than a flashy ad or attention grabbing commercial when considering where to spend their hard earned money. Learn why consumers buy what they buy and how you can influence their decision.
Marketing a Product vs. Marketing a Service
Marketing a service is different than marketing a product. There are certain things you need to consider and different steps you need to take in order to help the consumer feel comfortable. Learn what you what you need to do differently in order to market your service effectively.
What is a Marketing Plan?
A marketing plan serves as a roadmap when it comes to your marketing initiatives. It details the success route that you will need to follow to get your small business noticed by potential customers. A detailed marketing plan will show you what to do and help you understand why you are doing it. It will also help you navigate away from the marketing and business mistakes that will cost you money, time and future growth potential. As a small business owner equipped with a marketing plan, you will feel more organized, have more confidence and a clear vision when it comes to your marketing goals. Put in simple terms a marketing plan increases your chance to achieve the business success that you desire.
Creating a Marketing Budget - How Much Should I Spend on Marketing?
Determining how much of your resources to marketing within your company can be one the biggest obstacles that businesses face. It can also be a key component that can make or break a business. There are guidelines that will help in allocating your resources, learn what I recommend when it comes to marketing budgets.
Create a 90 Day Marketing Plan
If you've never created a marketing plan, I also suggest that you try doing the 90-day plan. It is less intimidating and helps you to focus on the short-term need. You can also focus on the immediate needs of the company. There are many benefits to creating a 90-day plan. Learn how a 90-day plan can keep you on target and help in your overall master planning.
Learn from Others - How I Started Marketing My Small Business Series
Marketing a small business can prove challenging at times; especially in rough economic times. However, many companies are finding success by utilizing new techniques to market their small business. These strategies may include social media marketing, online marketing, traditional marketing and even direct mail. I've asked my readers to share their stories on how they started marketing their small business in hopes that it will inspire, motivate you and make you think of new ways to market that you had not considered previously. Learn how others started marketing their businesses and share your own story.
Marketing Trends for the New Decade
How will your business do in the next decade? I think that all depends on how you market and the relationships that you create and cultivate. It's time to pull those marketing dollars back that aren't working for you and begin to invest them in ways that will give you more of a return. If you are ready, what are you waiting for? I give you my Marketing Predictions for 2010 and the decade that follows - out with the old and in with the new.
Reader Stories: How I Started Marketing My Small BusinessRead Stories (11) Share Your StorySuggested ReadingWhat is Marketing?What Is A Marketing Plan?Share Your Story: How I Started Marketing My Small BusinessRelated ArticlesFour Small Business Marketing Steps You Need to Put Into CheckInternational Marketing Plan - Exporting CanadaMarketing Basics for the Small BusinessMarketing Strategy - How to Write a Small Business Plan Marketing StrategyMarketing Strategy - Tips for Writing a Small Business Plan Marketing Strat...
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Searches prospective consumers small business owner small business owners investment marketing good marketing own marketingExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing Career a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:small business marketingmarketing 101marketing basicsBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and Research
MarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingCourses and TutorialsSmall Business Marketing - Your Small BusinessMost PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
Facebook Event Via Fan Page
#abm #rnCt li{list-style-type:none;margin-bottom:0.5em;}#rnCt .rnDt .r,#rnCt .rnDt .b{color:#707070;font-weight:bold;}#rnCt .rnDt .b{margin-left:12px;}#tt26 #comments dt .date{margin:1px 10px 0 0;}Create a Facebook Event via Your Fan PageHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketing
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Discuss in my forum
Create a Facebook Event via Your Fan PageBy Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:facebooksocial media marketingsocial media tutorialIn a training that I was conducting this week I was asked how you can setup an event from your Facebook Fan Page, rather than your personal profile. As I begin to show the process I noticed that Facebook has changed the location of this feature. Don't worry it's still there, but it's in a different place.
You no longer go to "See All Events" where there was an option to add a new event, but rather with the recent changes you must select the Edit Page feature - I really don't know how that makes sense, but it's just how it is.
I realized that since I wasn't the only one struggling with this issue, perhaps more were looking for where this feature had been hidden in the last Facebook update, so hopefully this will help.
Here are the steps to creating an event via your Facebook Fan Page, rather than your personal profile.
Step 1. Go to your Facebook Fan Page Step 2. Click Edit Page (It's right under your Fan Page Avatar) Step 3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see the "Event" option. Step 4. Click Edit Step 5. Enter the Details of Your Event Step 6. Once you've completed the details to your event you can select to publish. Step 7. After you publish it will appear on your Fan Page Wall. Step 8. Final step is to invite you friends to participate.
Facebook events is a great way to promote both physical and virtual events that are presented by your business. It's a fantastic marketing tool. Just consider the following benefits:
Facebook Events feature allows you to promote any event or milestone. Your Event doesn't have to be physical - it can also be virtual - "launch of a new website" - etc. When you create a Facebook Event you will get a full page featuring your event. You can invite your friends to your event, ask the them to invite their friends and even collect RSVPs. Facebook events are also indexed by search engines which is an added bonus.
What kind of events can you promote?
Local live events Performances Book signings Virtual events Product launches New store openings Parties Nonprofit events Fashion Events Sales
The best thing about Facebook events is they are free to setup and yet offer extraordinary benefits to getting the word out about your event.
Related ArticlesFacebook Fan Page - How to Create a Fan Page on Facebook - Create a Faceboo...Add Your Blog to Facebook - How to Add Your Blog to Your Facebook Profile i...Facebook for Businesses – Using Facebook to Promote Your Graphic Desi...How to Add an Invitation to an Email in Gmail - About EmailBuild Your Email Marketing Lists Fast Using Social Media Sites
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Searches virtual events feature don facebook events feature added bonus page featureExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:facebooksocial media marketingsocial media tutorialBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and ResearchMarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingSocial Media MarketingMarketing Using FacebookCreate a Facebook Event via Your Fan PageMost PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices
©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
MarketingSearchMarketingWhat is Branding?Marketing CareersPublic RelationsShareFree Marketing Newsletter!Sign UpDiscuss in my forum
Create a Facebook Event via Your Fan PageBy Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:facebooksocial media marketingsocial media tutorialIn a training that I was conducting this week I was asked how you can setup an event from your Facebook Fan Page, rather than your personal profile. As I begin to show the process I noticed that Facebook has changed the location of this feature. Don't worry it's still there, but it's in a different place.
You no longer go to "See All Events" where there was an option to add a new event, but rather with the recent changes you must select the Edit Page feature - I really don't know how that makes sense, but it's just how it is.
I realized that since I wasn't the only one struggling with this issue, perhaps more were looking for where this feature had been hidden in the last Facebook update, so hopefully this will help.
Here are the steps to creating an event via your Facebook Fan Page, rather than your personal profile.
Step 1. Go to your Facebook Fan Page Step 2. Click Edit Page (It's right under your Fan Page Avatar) Step 3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see the "Event" option. Step 4. Click Edit Step 5. Enter the Details of Your Event Step 6. Once you've completed the details to your event you can select to publish. Step 7. After you publish it will appear on your Fan Page Wall. Step 8. Final step is to invite you friends to participate.
Facebook events is a great way to promote both physical and virtual events that are presented by your business. It's a fantastic marketing tool. Just consider the following benefits:
Facebook Events feature allows you to promote any event or milestone. Your Event doesn't have to be physical - it can also be virtual - "launch of a new website" - etc. When you create a Facebook Event you will get a full page featuring your event. You can invite your friends to your event, ask the them to invite their friends and even collect RSVPs. Facebook events are also indexed by search engines which is an added bonus.
What kind of events can you promote?
Local live events Performances Book signings Virtual events Product launches New store openings Parties Nonprofit events Fashion Events Sales
The best thing about Facebook events is they are free to setup and yet offer extraordinary benefits to getting the word out about your event.
Related ArticlesFacebook Fan Page - How to Create a Fan Page on Facebook - Create a Faceboo...Add Your Blog to Facebook - How to Add Your Blog to Your Facebook Profile i...Facebook for Businesses – Using Facebook to Promote Your Graphic Desi...How to Add an Invitation to an Email in Gmail - About EmailBuild Your Email Marketing Lists Fast Using Social Media Sites
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Searches virtual events feature don facebook events feature added bonus page featureExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:facebooksocial media marketingsocial media tutorialBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and Research
MarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingSocial Media MarketingMarketing Using FacebookCreate a Facebook Event via Your Fan PageMost PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article
Marketing Trends for 2011
#abm #rnCt li{list-style-type:none;margin-bottom:0.5em;}#rnCt .rnDt .r,#rnCt .rnDt .b{color:#707070;font-weight:bold;}#rnCt .rnDt .b{margin-left:12px;}#tt26 #comments dt .date{margin:1px 10px 0 0;}Marketing Methods and Trends - What's New for 2011?HomeBusiness & FinanceMarketing
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Discuss in my forum
Marketing Methods and Trends - What's New for 2011?By Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:marketing trendsmarketing methodsmarketing predictionsWe are one year into a new decade and we have all seen the shift in how we market and reach consumers. In order to be efficient in marketing, it's important to realize what will work and what marketing methods are being left by the wayside. Now, with that being said please understand that my statement of trends is broad and may not reach your specific demographic. For example, if you serve a senior market a yellow page may very well still bring in customers for you, but if your customer is under the age of 60 it's best to put those dollar elsewhere.
This year there are five marketing methods and trends that I'll be watching with a close eye. We've seen many changes over the last few years and this year will be no different. Trends and methods that I'll be watching closely this year include:
Mobile Marketing
In a report done by CTIA Wireless Association it was reported that 250+ million Americans carry mobile phones - that's over 80% of the nations population. Mobile applications will continue to be developed and smartphones and tablet PCs will remain a part of our daily lives. It's no longer just about mobile access to email, messaging, calendars and websites. We will see more location based services, mobile gaming, applications, and event-based mobile marketing. We've been inundated with new technology from Apple's iPhone, iPad and Google's Android integration. I guarantee it won't stop there, we will continue to see mobile marketing innovations throughout 2011 and beyond. We will see new devices, faster speeds, and location based technologies integrated with one another. If you are a marketer and you've not explored the avenue of mobile marketing, this is your year. Get on the bus or get left behind.
Social Marketing Integration
In 2010 companies began to take social media marketing seriously and because of that we saw social media explode as a marketing tool. This year we will begin to see companies integrate social media into their overall marketing plan, which is how it should have been done in the first place, but better late than never. We will see social media expand from a tool used primarily for customer service and brand management to being used to collect customer data and enable better target marketing of products and services that those customer are interested.
Traditional Marketing Continues to Diminishes
This is always a touchy subject, because there are so many that don't want to say goodbye to the traditional marketing. Interactive or real-time marketing is easy to measure, engage and gain real time statistics that allows us to change a marketing message quickly. Customers are continuing to go online to search for information and in return making their purchases online. It's important that marketers move their marketing dollars to where the consumers are and right now that's making a gigantic shift to online. Internet marketing enables us to reach targeted audiences online, advertising costs are lower and they are easier to measure. What's not to love about interactive marketing? Overall marketing budgets will continue to shift to a higher spend online and the traditional marketing spend will continue to diminish.
Consumers Will Determine Value
In today's economy consumers are watching their pennies and because of this they will only spend on purchases that they consider to be of value. They will continue to seek value in every dollar spent and they will determine whether it's value, not you. Consumers no longer purchase just because an item is on sale, rather they will justify every dollar spent. This means you must marketing the value of your product or service in order to get consumers to open their wallets - if there is no value, they simply will not purchase.
Regulations Abound
This is a trend that makes many of us as marketers anxious. It's been apparent in the last six months that the FTC is looking at regulating the online industry. We started a few years ago with disclosures for blog reviews and paid endorsements. As recent as last week we saw rules passed regarding Net Neutrality and the FTC exploring a "Do Not Track" mechanism that would regulate the tracking of consumer behavior online and the calculation of data. I'm not sure how this will play out in the next year and beyond, but I do believe we will see regulations implemented when it comes to the internet industry and many of those regulations will affect us as marketers.
Relationships will Drive Loyalty and Sales
I listed this last year, but I believe it will still hold true in 2011. Customers want to know they matter to you and your staff. They evaluate now more than ever how they are treated, whether or not your business cares about their satisfaction. Gone are the days that they just purchase out of convenience. If you can give the best customer care, you will find that you will create consumers that are loyal to you, regardless of whether or not you have the least expensive price. They realize that in tough economic times their loyalty to you could be the life or death of your business and that's often why they will go out of their way to spend their hard-earned dollars in your place of business - if you have helped in creating loyalty by giving them extraordinary care.
Suggested ReadingMarketing Methods and Trends - What's New for 2010?Marketing - Explore the Benefits of Online Marketing Versus Offline MarketingMobile Marketing - The Basics for the Small BusinessRelated Articles3 More Ways of Marketing Online - Marketing Online - Marketing Online Strat...Marketing Methods and Trends - What's New for 2010?How Constant Contact Markets Itself - Learn How Constant Contact Markets As...Customer Service - What Role Does it Play in Marketing?Online Marketing A Necessity Not Just An Option
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
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Marketing Methods and Trends - What's New for 2011?By Laura Lake, About.com GuideSee More About:marketing trendsmarketing methodsmarketing predictionsWe are one year into a new decade and we have all seen the shift in how we market and reach consumers. In order to be efficient in marketing, it's important to realize what will work and what marketing methods are being left by the wayside. Now, with that being said please understand that my statement of trends is broad and may not reach your specific demographic. For example, if you serve a senior market a yellow page may very well still bring in customers for you, but if your customer is under the age of 60 it's best to put those dollar elsewhere.
This year there are five marketing methods and trends that I'll be watching with a close eye. We've seen many changes over the last few years and this year will be no different. Trends and methods that I'll be watching closely this year include:
Mobile Marketing
In a report done by CTIA Wireless Association it was reported that 250+ million Americans carry mobile phones - that's over 80% of the nations population. Mobile applications will continue to be developed and smartphones and tablet PCs will remain a part of our daily lives. It's no longer just about mobile access to email, messaging, calendars and websites. We will see more location based services, mobile gaming, applications, and event-based mobile marketing. We've been inundated with new technology from Apple's iPhone, iPad and Google's Android integration. I guarantee it won't stop there, we will continue to see mobile marketing innovations throughout 2011 and beyond. We will see new devices, faster speeds, and location based technologies integrated with one another. If you are a marketer and you've not explored the avenue of mobile marketing, this is your year. Get on the bus or get left behind.
Social Marketing Integration
In 2010 companies began to take social media marketing seriously and because of that we saw social media explode as a marketing tool. This year we will begin to see companies integrate social media into their overall marketing plan, which is how it should have been done in the first place, but better late than never. We will see social media expand from a tool used primarily for customer service and brand management to being used to collect customer data and enable better target marketing of products and services that those customer are interested.
Traditional Marketing Continues to Diminishes
This is always a touchy subject, because there are so many that don't want to say goodbye to the traditional marketing. Interactive or real-time marketing is easy to measure, engage and gain real time statistics that allows us to change a marketing message quickly. Customers are continuing to go online to search for information and in return making their purchases online. It's important that marketers move their marketing dollars to where the consumers are and right now that's making a gigantic shift to online. Internet marketing enables us to reach targeted audiences online, advertising costs are lower and they are easier to measure. What's not to love about interactive marketing? Overall marketing budgets will continue to shift to a higher spend online and the traditional marketing spend will continue to diminish.
Consumers Will Determine Value
In today's economy consumers are watching their pennies and because of this they will only spend on purchases that they consider to be of value. They will continue to seek value in every dollar spent and they will determine whether it's value, not you. Consumers no longer purchase just because an item is on sale, rather they will justify every dollar spent. This means you must marketing the value of your product or service in order to get consumers to open their wallets - if there is no value, they simply will not purchase.
Regulations Abound
This is a trend that makes many of us as marketers anxious. It's been apparent in the last six months that the FTC is looking at regulating the online industry. We started a few years ago with disclosures for blog reviews and paid endorsements. As recent as last week we saw rules passed regarding Net Neutrality and the FTC exploring a "Do Not Track" mechanism that would regulate the tracking of consumer behavior online and the calculation of data. I'm not sure how this will play out in the next year and beyond, but I do believe we will see regulations implemented when it comes to the internet industry and many of those regulations will affect us as marketers.
Relationships will Drive Loyalty and Sales
I listed this last year, but I believe it will still hold true in 2011. Customers want to know they matter to you and your staff. They evaluate now more than ever how they are treated, whether or not your business cares about their satisfaction. Gone are the days that they just purchase out of convenience. If you can give the best customer care, you will find that you will create consumers that are loyal to you, regardless of whether or not you have the least expensive price. They realize that in tough economic times their loyalty to you could be the life or death of your business and that's often why they will go out of their way to spend their hard-earned dollars in your place of business - if you have helped in creating loyalty by giving them extraordinary care.
Suggested ReadingMarketing Methods and Trends - What's New for 2010?Marketing - Explore the Benefits of Online Marketing Versus Offline MarketingMobile Marketing - The Basics for the Small BusinessRelated Articles3 More Ways of Marketing Online - Marketing Online - Marketing Online Strat...Marketing Methods and Trends - What's New for 2010?How Constant Contact Markets Itself - Learn How Constant Contact Markets As...Customer Service - What Role Does it Play in Marketing?Online Marketing A Necessity Not Just An Option
Laura Lake
Marketing Guide
Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlinesForumRelated Searches new decade marketing methods mobile marketing gaming applications ipad social marketingExplore MarketingMust ReadsBreaking Into a Marketing CareerFirst Steps to Marketing a BusinessSocial Media Marketing 7 Day CourseMobile Marketing for the Small BusinessMarketing GlossaryMost PopularWhat is Branding and How Im...10 Customer Service TipsMarketing vs. Sales: What i...Develop a Marketing Strateg...Marketing GlossarySee More About:marketing trendsmarketing methodsmarketing predictionsBy CategoryCareers in MarketingMarketing Plan and StrategyMarketing Tools and HelpCourses and TutorialsSmall Business MarketingInternet MarketingSocial Media MarketingBrand MarketingPublic RelationsMarketing MethodsTarget MarketingEvent and Seminar MarketingSales TrainingMarketing News and BlogsStatistics and Research
MarketingHomeBusiness & FinanceMarketingMarketing MethodsMarketing Methods and Trends - What's New for 2011?>Most PopularLatest ArticlesRSSAdvertise on About.comOur StoryNews & EventsWork at AboutSiteMapAll TopicsReprintsHelpWrite for AboutUser AgreementEthics PolicyPatent Info.Privacy PolicyYour Ad Choices©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.
View the Original article