Internet Marketing Overview

While Internet marketing, also known as online or Web marketing,
has some similarities to its offline cousin, it's the differences that
make it stand out. The biggest of these is:

Inexpensive access to incredibly wide distribution

There are several ways to go about this, and each has its merits.
What follows is an overview of six methods. Each of these can be done as a stand-alone, although many Internet marketers will use two or more, carefully weaving them together.

As you read through this material, refer to the Internet Terminology page for any terms that may be new to you. There you will find helpful additional resources.

Website

A good website provides real value to its visitors.

Remember that the Internet is the Information Superhighway. People use it to search for answers, solutions to their problem.

Good value can be offered in a variety of ways:

Another way to put it is your website provides an opportunity to present quality information, in your unique voice. Let your visitors get to know YOU as well as what you have to offer.

People want to do business with someone they know and trust.

Website marketing is an important aspect of your Internet marketing plan.

Blog

While a standard website is often a virtual library of information, a good blog will offer the latest updates on a variety of topics related to your niche.

Your Blog is your online newsletter.

Many entrepreneurs maintain both a website and a blog, with links back and forth between the two sites.

Blogging is interactive in nature, and a good fit with social media sites and other forms of social marketing.

Blogs provide an opportunity to directly connect with your visitors. Comments and responses can be posted. This type of interaction provides a way to build relationships in a casual manner.

Posting on other people's blogs can increase your exposure, and also encourages them to reciprocate.

Blogging is a good addition to your Internet presence.

Article Marketing

Article marketing consists of writing short articles that relate to your business, and then publishing them on the Internet, usually through ezines or ezine directories.

You do not need to be a trained writer to write a good article.

Copywriting is a skill that can be learned. Write about what you know, in conversational tone, in your own words. Templates for article marketing are available to help you get started.

The title should be clear
and concise, and a good representation of the body of the text.

Keywords should be used throughout. This helps the search engines know what it's about.

Article marketing can position you as an authority in your field.

There are numerous ezines to which you can submit your articles. These ezines in turn, may have a large distribution or following on the Web, which increases your presence. Your article will be listed in a table of contents, and can also show up via search engine results.

Article writing can take time, as it works best when you are continually posting new articles. Internet entrepreneurs who rely on this marketing strategy will often outsource their article writing.

Webinars

This unique Internet tool leverages the video and audio aspects of the Web, as well as the ability to simultaneously reach a wide audience.

You create a topic for the webinar, post a notice on your website or blog, or send it out to your email list, with an option to register.

Webinars are an excellent teaching tool.

Becoming a leader in your field will by nature involve an aspect of teaching. Another form of information-sharing, webinars are unique in that there is an interactive element involved. Participants can post questions via the Internet platform (or sometimes via phone), and have them answered by the webinar host in real time.

Video Marketing

Video provides another way to tell your story on the Web.

YouTube has become popular in video marketing. No longer just a place for showcasing the latest raw talent from wherever, this clever media site is now a smart choice for the Internet marketer.

The ease and universal use of YouTube has caused this people-friendly video site to emerge as a leader in Social Marketing.

Email Marketing

There are several good ways to do this, and some automated systems for making life a little easier.

If what you need to do is talk with someone, offer coaching, answer questions, the telephone is the tool of choice.

Unfortunately, some entrepreneurs tend to shy away from phone contact, while others believe they can build their business via email alone.

It's just not true. Live interaction always trumps an email.
When in doubt, pick up the phone.

6 Hot Tips for Email Marketing