Internet Marketing for Small Business > Internet Marketing

Internet Marketing Works

Internet Marketing much like traditional advertising formats is extremely competitive. By it's very nature, it breeds competition. There are so many places to consider spending your advertising dollars today, it's sometimes difficult for business owners to see the value in spending dollars or time online.

Internet Marketing Works because you are targeting a motivated consumer

With Internet Marketing it's possible to place your advertisment in front of potential customers at the exact moment they are looking for your products and services

No other form of advertisng can claim this benefit.

Traditional television and radio advertisments typically build "brand" advertising. That is they get the name of your company, it's services or products out and into the mind of the consumer. Direct call to action advertisments can also be applied to traditional media, in the form of a commercial with a product, and a phone number call to action. However these direct advertisments rely on a hard sell, and often require a degree of readiness to spend on the part of the consumer.

The Shift Towards Internet Marketing

Today Internet Marketing has overtaken the Newspaper monster that once dominated marketing in traditional media. Magazine advertising has likewise fallen drastically while Cable TV has made television advertisng more affordable but still out of reach for most businesses.

Internet Marketing is popular because it combines all of the avenues of traditional media under one roof.

Viral Video Releases and Streaming Video to compete with Television
Podcasts and Streaming Audio compete with Radio
Internet Directories and Search Engines have replaced Directories
Newspapers have been replaced by online content providers, and websites found via search engines.

As a quick example, every year the phone company sends me my new copy of the yellowpages phone book. I have always kept this large book in the space between the top of my fridge and the celing. It was the perfect spot, it just barely fit int he massive 8 inch space.

Today it fits with room to spare, the yellowpages I receive is just barely 3 inches in size. Over 50% smaller then just a few years ago. Where have these businesses gone? They are still in business, but how can they afford to no longer be listed in the yellowpages?

It's simple - They are online with Internet Marketing.

Common Forms of Internet Marketing Examples:

Direct Advertising:

Monthly Search Engine Optimization
Custom Branded Social Networking Websites
Pay Per Click Search Engine Marketing
Paid Text Links
Microsites
Custom Affiliate Programs
Email Marketing
Domain Redirect Marketing
Classified Advertising
E-Book Advertising

Indirect Brand Advertising:

Banner Advertising
Social Media/Networking
Custom Articles
E-Opinion Reviews
Industry Forum Involvement
Guerrila Marketing
Sweepstakes / Incentive Promotions
E-Zine / Newswire Press Releases
Custom Blogging
Link Baiting
Podcast Marketing / Streaming Audio
Netradio Marketing
Blogger Review Marketing
Viral Video Marketing

The list goes on and on. At IMAG Studios for example, we offer a core set of products and services to our clients, but provide every service on this list if we feel it's benefitial and will help the client meet its overall goals online.

When you choose to market your website on the Internet, this list is a good place to start. Use your imagination and you'll find many exciting ways to promote your website.