If you’re only going to do one thing this year for your Internet marketing, institute a plan that makes it easy for you to get the word out about your products and services.
This simple yet powerful approach can transform your online presence and significantly boost your business’s visibility and success.
When you look at the big picture of Internet marketing, it’s pretty daunting. There’s so much to do that, well, most people end up not doing anything. But if you divide and conquer, you’ll be amazed at how much you can get done and – I might as well tell you now – you’ll actually have fun doing it.
OK, so technically this might be more than one thing, because first you have to develop the plan, but it’s so easy to do that it won’t take more than 30 minutes to set up your cheat sheets. The key is to break down the seemingly overwhelming task of Internet marketing into manageable, bite-sized pieces that you can tackle consistently over time.
Most important is establishing your weekly marketing goals. Determine how many search engines and directories you can submit to, how many links you can set up, and how many newsgroups and mail lists you can participate in weekly. You might have other strategies, too, such as an ezine (should it be weekly? monthly? occasional?), and you’ll just want to set realistic goals for each.
What’s realistic? Well, only you will know, but it might be submitting to five search engines, setting up three links, or participating in two newsgroups and mail lists each week. You may want to set aside a certain time of day or a certain day of the week to do specific tasks. Then adjust your goals as necessary.
The beauty of this approach is its flexibility and scalability. As you become more comfortable with your marketing routine, you can gradually increase your goals or expand into new areas of online marketing. The key is to start small and build momentum over time.
Let’s break down some of these marketing activities in more detail to give you a clearer picture of what your plan might look like:
Search Engine Submissions: This involves submitting your website to various search engines to improve your visibility in search results. While major search engines like Google typically find and index websites automatically, submitting your site can help ensure it’s included in their databases. For smaller or niche search engines, manual submission may be necessary.
Directory Submissions: Online directories are like digital Yellow Pages, categorizing websites by topic. Submitting your site to relevant directories can improve your online visibility and potentially boost your search engine rankings. Look for both general directories and those specific to your industry.
Link Building: This involves getting other websites to link to yours. You might reach out to partners, suppliers, or complementary businesses to request link exchanges. You could also create valuable content that other sites naturally want to link to. Remember, quality is more important than quantity when it comes to links.
Newsgroup and Mailing List Participation: Engaging in online communities related to your industry can help establish your expertise and drive traffic to your site. Be sure to provide value in your contributions rather than just promoting your business. Many forums and groups have strict rules about self-promotion, so always read and follow the guidelines.
Ezine Publishing: An electronic newsletter or “ezine” can be a powerful tool for staying in touch with your customers and prospects. Decide on a frequency that you can consistently maintain – whether it’s weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Plan your content in advance to ensure you always have something valuable to share.
As you implement your plan, it’s crucial to track your results. Keep a record of where you’ve submitted your site, what links you’ve set up, and which communities you’ve participated in. Also, monitor your website traffic and sales to see how your marketing efforts are impacting your bottom line. This data will help you refine your strategy over time, focusing more on the activities that yield the best results.
Remember, consistency is key in Internet marketing. It’s better to do a little bit regularly than to do a lot sporadically. Set reminders for yourself to ensure you stick to your schedule. You might even consider using project management tools or apps to help you stay organized and on track.
As you become more comfortable with your marketing routine, you can start to explore more advanced strategies. For example, you might delve into content marketing, creating blog posts, videos, or infographics that provide value to your target audience. Or you could explore social media marketing, building a presence on platforms where your customers spend their time.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different approaches. What works for one business might not work for another, so it’s important to find the strategies that resonate with your unique audience. Pay attention to your analytics and be willing to adjust your plan based on the results you’re seeing.
One often overlooked aspect of Internet marketing is the power of personal connections. As you engage in newsgroups, mailing lists, and other online communities, focus on building relationships rather than just promoting your business. Respond to others’ questions, offer helpful advice, and become a valued member of the community. These relationships can lead to word-of-mouth referrals, collaborations, and other opportunities that can significantly boost your business.
It’s also worth considering the role of paid advertising in your marketing plan. While many of the strategies we’ve discussed are free or low-cost, allocating a budget for pay-per-click advertising or social media ads can help accelerate your results. Start small, test different approaches, and scale up your spending on the campaigns that prove most effective.
As your marketing efforts gain traction, you’ll likely find that certain activities yield better results than others. Don’t be afraid to double down on what’s working and cut back on or eliminate strategies that aren’t delivering results. Your marketing plan should be a living document, evolving as your business grows and as you gain more insights into what resonates with your audience.
Remember, Internet marketing is not just about promoting your products or services – it’s about providing value to your audience. In everything you do, from your ezine content to your forum posts, focus on how you can help your customers solve their problems or achieve their goals. This customer-centric approach will not only make your marketing more effective but will also help you build a loyal customer base that keeps coming back.
As you implement your marketing plan, be patient. Internet marketing is often a long-term game, and it may take time to see significant results. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate spikes in traffic or sales. Keep at it, stay consistent, and trust in the process. Over time, your efforts will compound, leading to increased visibility, credibility, and ultimately, success for your business.
Before you know it, you’ll be conducting a real online marketing campaign that will increase awareness – and sales! – of your offerings. You’ll have developed a sustainable, manageable approach to Internet marketing that fits into your schedule and delivers real results for your business.
The beauty of this approach is that it’s adaptable to businesses of all sizes and in all industries. Whether you’re a solopreneur just starting out or a established company looking to boost your online presence, breaking down your Internet marketing into manageable, consistent actions can yield impressive results over time.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of Internet marketing, take a deep breath and start small. Set up your plan, commit to consistent action, and watch as your online presence grows. Remember, every big success starts with a single step. By taking that step today and committing to regular, focused action, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success in the digital marketplace.
In closing, the key to effective Internet marketing isn’t doing everything at once – it’s about doing something consistently. By establishing a manageable plan and sticking to it, you can gradually build a strong online presence that drives awareness and sales for your business. So don’t wait – start planning your Internet marketing strategy today, and take the first step towards online success.
