Internet Marketing

Back in the 1980's, we used to write press releases for the press. 

How quaint.

And we used to write 'em only when we wanted to get coverage of significant company news.

Those days are gone forever.

After all, your buyers are on the internet, reading your press releases directly. They use free online tools like Google Alerts, Bloglines, and Technorati to get instant updates any time your company, product, or industry might be mentioned. And bloggers scoop MSM (main stream media) reporters on breaking stories all the time. Today, successful press releases speak directly to your target audience -- and indirectly to search engines and bloggers.

(And oh yeah -- sometimes the main stream media, too!)

If you're still writing primarily for the MSM, it's time for a total press release makeover. Here are four top tips for making over your press releases to meet 21st century marketing practices: 

Design your site with usability in mind.

Yeah, it?s important! Following research-based web usability guidelines can dramatically increase your online sales or improve conversion rates for other business goals (like increasing lead generation or e-news readership).

Anyone who is responsible for the design or business strategy for a commercial website absolutely must understand the importance of usability.

If you are new to the term web usability, get hip quick.

Here are three links every online business person should click upon right away:

Often, companies look at Google Adwords as an online advertising solution.

Period.

I take a much different approach.

Initially, I often recommend that clients develop several keyword-targeted Adwords campaigns as a market research platform.

Yes, my clients get an advertising benefit ? but that goal is secondary. When you begin using Adwords, think of it as an online marketing research tool, not as a total advertising solution.

When you think of Adwords as a research tool, you will unlock three very important online marketing secrets about your website that will greatly enhance your long term success. You will learn:

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Rant alert!

I received some truly horrible Business-to-Business holiday emails this December. How about you?

Christmas spam isn't darling. Customers and prospects don't like it. Send me a fruit basket, a bottle of brandy, a jolly wreath or ornament  --- but please don't send me Christmas spam!

Here?s my pick for the three worst of the worst B2B holiday email tactics: 

Don't try these at your office -- all three are annoying, insulting, and ineffective...and one is even illegal!)

Read my rant! →

Google posted its annual year end Zeitgeist for 2006. Which keywords were most searched -- the most  popular -- this past year?

With 50% of the search market share, Google ought to know!

Find out what was hot (and what was not!) in several categories!

Note to web marketing trendwatchers and marketers: ?wiki? and ?media? were hot this year.

And on the ?news? side? Podcasting is making some significant ground.

Think about these items as you develop your 2007 online marketing plan.

New for 2007: Master Your Marketing!

Question for corporations --what is your internet marketing strategy for 2007? What?s your plan? How are you adapting to Web 2.0 marketing tactics?

Which new Web 2.0 marketing tactics ? if any ? will your company want to pursue in 2007?

Which make sense, and which are just hype?

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