Gain the edge in a slowed economy by increasing your online spend
Gain the edge in a slowed economy by increasing your online spend
You might have guessed it already, but we’re here and happy to tell you that online media are defying the dismal trends of all other elements of the marketing mix, so increasing your online presence has never been more valuable or more important.
One indication that increasing your online presence is a prudent move in the current economic climate is to look at the recent performance of online advertising. Online advertising has continued to grow while traditional media has dropped off. Online advertising grew 24 per cent in the final quarter of 2008 compared with 2007 and up 27 per cent from 2007.
In addition, online media companies are posting strong financial results despite the slowing economy. Google, for instance, recently announced record 4th quarter results. Revenues were up 42% compared with the same period of 2007 and an increase of 7% from the fourth quarter of 2007.
But the reasons to develop your online presence through a strong online marketing strategy are not only tied to the demonstrated (cost-effective) strength of online media in times of crisis, but also because online media is fast becoming the best means with which to talk to your customers.
A recent University of Massachusetts study found that in 2008 “familiarity with and use of blogs, podcasting, wikis, online video and social networking skyrocketed in 2008 to nearly double what it was in 2007. 77% of respondents reported at least some use of a social media tool in their business.” These figures scream reasons to firm-up your online presence.
Are you part of the 77% of people using social media to increase their online presence? Are your competitors? One thing is for sure, the market-leaders in your industry are taking full advantage of cost-effective social media marketing to broaden and deepen their customer relationships. Here are a few of the many examples:
• Blendtec is famous for its bevy of inexpensive “Will It Blend” videos posted on YouTube and shared by millions.
• Adobe maintains a list of interesting company related websites and conversations on the social bookmarking site Delicious.
• Best Western sponsors a blog,“On the Go with Amy,” where the author travels the country writing about her experiences.
• Dell leverages a variety of social media platforms for customer engagement, including an island in the virtual world of Second Life.
• Ford publishes news releases with lots of multimedia content and employs a social media news release format to display them in their newsroom.
• H&R Block created a Facebook fan site to aggregate its social media activities, engage customers and offer tax advice/resources.
• HP used Twitter to power a scavenger hunt at a recent conference.
• Jeep connects with customers via a community page with links to photos on Flickr, the company’s MySpace and Facebook pages and a list enthusiast groups.
• Starbucks started MyStarbucksIdea so that customers can submit ideas for the company which are then voted on by other users, the best of which will be implemented by the company.
These are good, simple ideas that you can easily implement to increase your online presence. After all, building relationships is the essence of marketing and business, and by utilizing tools specifically designed to connect people you can go a long way to not only saving money in a time of belt-tightening, but also build your online presence which leads to better long-term relationships with your customers that will bear fruit long after the downturn points its nose skyward.
Gain the edge in a slowed economy by increasing your online spend - To learn more about this author, visit Rob Lawson's Website.
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In the midst of an economic crisis, the importance of marketing strategy that increases your online presence becomes even more pronounced. The decisions you make now are what will steer you through the fog, and so it’s more than prudent to take the time to look at what strategies are surviving and thriving in the current economic climate, and use that intelligence to see what strategic adjustments you can make to your marketing spend.
You might have guessed it already, but we’re here and happy to tell you that online media are defying the dismal trends of all other elements of the marketing mix, so increasing your online presence has never been more valuable or more important.
One indication that increasing your online presence is a prudent move in the current economic climate is to look at the recent performance of online advertising. Online advertising has continued to grow while traditional media has dropped off. Online advertising grew 24 per cent in the final quarter of 2008 compared with 2007 and up 27 per cent from 2007.
In addition, online media companies are posting strong financial results despite the slowing economy. Google, for instance, recently announced record 4th quarter results. Revenues were up 42% compared with the same period of 2007 and an increase of 7% from the fourth quarter of 2007.
But the reasons to develop your online presence through a strong online marketing strategy are not only tied to the demonstrated (cost-effective) strength of online media in times of crisis, but also because online media is fast becoming the best means with which to talk to your customers.
A recent University of Massachusetts study found that in 2008 “familiarity with and use of blogs, podcasting, wikis, online video and social networking skyrocketed in 2008 to nearly double what it was in 2007. 77% of respondents reported at least some use of a social media tool in their business.” These figures scream reasons to firm-up your online presence.
Are you part of the 77% of people using social media to increase their online presence? Are your competitors? One thing is for sure, the market-leaders in your industry are taking full advantage of cost-effective social media marketing to broaden and deepen their customer relationships. Here are a few of the many examples:
• Blendtec is famous for its bevy of inexpensive “Will It Blend” videos posted on YouTube and shared by millions.
• Adobe maintains a list of interesting company related websites and conversations on the social bookmarking site Delicious.
• Best Western sponsors a blog,“On the Go with Amy,” where the author travels the country writing about her experiences.
• Dell leverages a variety of social media platforms for customer engagement, including an island in the virtual world of Second Life.
• Ford publishes news releases with lots of multimedia content and employs a social media news release format to display them in their newsroom.
• H&R Block created a Facebook fan site to aggregate its social media activities, engage customers and offer tax advice/resources.
• HP used Twitter to power a scavenger hunt at a recent conference.
• Jeep connects with customers via a community page with links to photos on Flickr, the company’s MySpace and Facebook pages and a list enthusiast groups.
• Starbucks started MyStarbucksIdea so that customers can submit ideas for the company which are then voted on by other users, the best of which will be implemented by the company.
These are good, simple ideas that you can easily implement to increase your online presence. After all, building relationships is the essence of marketing and business, and by utilizing tools specifically designed to connect people you can go a long way to not only saving money in a time of belt-tightening, but also build your online presence which leads to better long-term relationships with your customers that will bear fruit long after the downturn points its nose skyward.
Gain the edge in a slowed economy by increasing your online spend - To learn more about this author, visit Rob Lawson's Website.
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John AlexanderJohn has taught keyword research and SEO skills to small groups of business owners and Webmasters from over 80 different countries world wide since 2002. John is also the Director of Search Engine Academy ; Co-director of Training at Search Engine Workshops offering live, SEO Workshops with his partner SEO educator Robin Nobles, author of the very first comprehensive online search engine marketing courses at SEO Training Online and the SEO Workshop Resource Center. I look forward to hearing from you! - Visit John Alexander's Website |
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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For an online Car Loan Calculator and finance for a cheap car loan. Get approved on car loans or car finance in Australia with cheap bank car loans and finding a car finance broker. Commercial car loans including business car finance and car lease. Car Loan Calculator has information on finance companies and getting the right cheap car loan from banks at best car loan rates and a online car loan calculator for all finance in Australia. Get the best car finance with our help at Car Loan Calculator and Finance Ezi. - Visit Richard Jefferies's Website |
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Stephanie RobeyStephanie Robey is President and CoFounder of Pivot Positive, LLC - an Internet marketing business focused on helping people start work at home ventures. Previously, she was employed at The Search Agency with over 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She was responsible for launching the Conversion Path Optimization (CPO) unit where she and her team have conducted hundreds of optimization tests for online companies across multiple verticals. She is a successful entrepreneur having started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com Stephanie began her career in the direct marketing realm creating and producing direct mail for many of the major cable television companies and directly attributes her understanding of Internet marketing to those early offline experiences. Stephanie is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BFA in Graphic Arts and also holds an Executive MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Read Steph's Blog Meet Steph and Dave Sign up for our Free 7-Day BootCamp: Self Employed & Rich - Visit Stephanie Robey's Website |
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Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
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Jay Kubassek(Jay's Full Bio: EvanCarmichael.com/jaykubassek) In five years, Canadian-born entrepreneur Jay Kubassek went from selling mufflers at a Midas franchise to revolutionizing Internet marketing with the 2004 launch of CarbonCopyPRO, a online marketing education company, now worth over $20 million with customers in over 160 countries.
As an independent film producer, his upstart film fund Aliquot Films is currently producing a films with Spike Lee and Abel Fererra (starring Ethan Hawke and Dennis Hopper.)
Jay's entrepreneurial spirit is irrepressible. He’s the owner of five companies, a professional speaker and trainer, international real estate developer/investor, extreme sport enthusiast and emerging philanthropist. Jay resides in NYC with his wife Jamie, son Milo and dog Cooper. Visit Jay's official website: www.JayKubassek.com - Visit Jay Kubassek's Website |
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