|
By
Mark Sceats
Internet Marketing,
for all its mystique, is simply a form of direct response marketing. The
key difference between Internet Marketing and other forms of direct marketing is
the medium. Internet Marketing uses the
Web & email as communication and fulfilment channels.
The Internet has been described as the world’s least expensive and most
effective marketing tool. That's why so many businesses
around the World have embraced
it.
However for many business people Internet or Online Marketing remains a
confusing and daunting area they know little about. They know they should get on
board, they're just not sure how...
Internet Marketing - What You Really Need to Know
The confusion and mystery of Internet Marketing to many business people is
because it can involve so much confusing IT techno-babble jargon. However
the reality is that you don’t need to understand in depth all the jargon
and underlying technology.
And chances are, you probably don’t even want to...
The key issue is to understand enough so you are aware of the options
and marketing benefits the technology can deliver.
For
most business people this is a major challenge. A search on the Web will
reveal there's any number of self-proclaimed chest-beating 'gurus' dispensing
information about Internet marketing. A disturbing amount of this is
absolute nonsense. In fact most stuff you'll hear from 'gurus' is breathless hype designed to sell you the
latest 'trick' to instant online riches.
[In case you hadn't noticed - I can't stand the term 'guru'...]
The good news is that if you do sort the wheat from the chaff there is
some great advice available. You just need to know where to look.
Some of the best going is offered
by a low key guy called Ken McCarthy.
He's a
pragmatic down to earth online marketer who really knows his stuff. The
fact he organised the first ever conference about Internet marketing speaks
volumes. What
I particularly like is he focuses on practical stuff,
rather than esoteric theory.
Ken runs a workshop conference every year called
The System.
To promote it he offers a free series of lessons on various Internet marketing
topics. These contains more content than most so called guru's seminars and the
amazing thing is they're free.
If you do nothing else, subscribe to the
"Pre-System" Course. Lessons are delivered by e-mail and include tele-seminars.
You'll pick up practical Internet Marketing tips you can immediately use in your
business.
Many experienced online marketers make a point of attending "The System"
training every year to get new ideas.
Presentations are made over several days by a range of specialists. The best
part is that none are 'professional experts' who make a living from pitching their latest book or whatever
at conferences. All are active
practitioners making good money selling stuff online. In other
words, 'do-ers' rather than talkers. No fluff - just great content.
I'm going myself to the next one in Chicago during May 2006. Worth every cent - even
with the high cost of getting there from New Zealand. If you're serious
about successful online marketing for your business I recommend you do the same.
If you can't make it or don't feel experienced enough to attend there's
a new home study option called
"Smart Beginners - The Foundation Course"
that's well worth checking out.
Next topic:
Web Marketing
 
This page last updated
May 03, 2010
search engine marketing
| banner advertising
| email marketing
ezine advertising |
affiliate marketing
| viral marketing
| online PR
|
