Targeted traffic marketing is an additional online marketing tool with two main applications. The first involves purchase of a demographic defined list. Such a list will contain individuals that fit a specified demographic to whom you have permission to send information freely either through an e-mail campaign or a sales call. The second form of targeted traffic entails purchase a specified number of unique visitors to your site who fit a demographic. This is a mass marketing or shotgun approach. Using either approach requires a skilled implementation of marketing content or your conversion ratio will be low, meaning you’ll be wasting money.

The most criticized but still effective form of online marketing is e-mail marketing. Too many marketers utilized this method improperly by imposing upon individuals who had no interest in their products or services. The answer to marketing effectively using e-mails lies in ensuring you have permission before sending to individuals on your list.

A more effective method would be to utilize media marketing in which you write articles, white papers and other content relevant to your industry to be published. Sharing valuable insights and information rather than out-and-out selling helps to validate your company’s expertise as you also acquire free brand exposure.

Finally, marketing effectively online requires right kind of preparation for your website. Many sites fail in that they generate traffic but they lack kind of relevant content that retains visitor, educates prospect, and/or encourages prospect to take action. Developing content that relays a clear message to your visitors is critical. Copywriting professional Sallie Boyles states, “Lead with your punch line. Be clear. Be concise. Rather than covering each page top-to-bottom with solid content, use windows and links to provide detailed explanations as needed. When people gather research online for an immediate or future purchase, they want ease and efficiency—or they’ll leave site and go elsewhere.”

In developing your next online marketing plan, follow these key steps to success: First, define and research your market. Second, prepare your site for action. Third, position yourself in marketplace utilizing several marketing methods. Fourth, be prepared to follow up and close deal. A world of e-commerce awaits!

The conflict is problem to be solved. It’s reason there is a story to tell. What is need that your product or service fills? A character facing that need is your conflict in a nutshell.

In climax and resolution, your character’s problem is at it’s worst. Then along comes your product or service and makes it all right again. Your character is happy, and anyone listening will be, too if only they will do business with you.

You can use stories anywhere you use words to market your product or service. They especially make for great radio, television, sales letters and longer print ads. Many companies thrive on a series of radio ads built around one set of characters.

No matter medium, a little story goes a long way.