All Along the Digital Watchtower

Written by Lee Traupel


Its no secret interactive (web-based) marketing has arrived. The IDC research group just released a study in late June of this year indicating 99.9% of a survey of executives and entrepreneurs said they currently conduct online marketing activities, or, are inrepparttar process of implementing or initiating some form of interactive marketing. The problem or challenge that many of these executives (marketing, management, etc.) and entrepreneurs (marketing, principals, etc.) have is how do they measure their online presence?

Most interactive marketing types, whether they are agencies working for/with clients or in house personnel typically just measure a company's return for a specific process or period of time. Many never think to actively monitor what a company's competitive position is vis-à-vis Search Engines or Directory Listings,repparttar 121761 number of links they have pointing back to their web site or what type of "net buzz" is being generated (positive or negative) viarepparttar 121762 Usenet/Newsgroup community – in short, its digital warfare andrepparttar 121763 fog of war is obscuringrepparttar 121764 battle lines.

Entrepreneurial competitive intelligence sounds like a real mouthful, or much more than it is. Basically its using offrepparttar 121765 shelf tools (software or ASP services) to understand what your page 1-3 keyword rankings are versus your direct competitors viarepparttar 121766 top tier Search Engines (Google, AltaVista, Excite, AOL/NetFind, HotBot, Netscape, Magellan, Lycos, Web Crawler) and how and where your company is listed viarepparttar 121767 blue chip Directories (Yahoo, LookSmart, Open Directory), what's your link popularity (number of links pointing back to a web site) and/or how many Usenet/Newsgroup posts are being made about your company, products or services? Usenet/Newsgroups can in fact be an extremely valuable resource for unearthing competitive intelligence about a direct competitor's products or services – "Usenet/Newsgroup mining" certainly works well for United, IBM, Microsoft and many other corporations.

12 Thoughts for Marketing: The Condensed Version

Written by Wild Bill Montgomery


1. The Power of Words..

One and Two Word Headlines are real Attention Grabbers! Remember that your HEADLINE isrepparttar most important part of your ad.

Use Power Words - For a reference list ofrepparttar 121760 Best Power Words check < http://www.MakingProfit.com/powerwords.html>

What, Where, Why, Who or How - One ofrepparttar 121761 quickest ways to grab attention, is to pose a question to your readers they can't help but answering.

Use Facts - Although "Power" words are great eye catchers and helprepparttar 121762 flow of your copy, nothing beats providing facts and product details. Try "Dramatizing" your facts or use "Human Interest" Facts.

Use Adjectives and Adverbs. If you are a writer or have ever studied writing, I'm sure that your instructors burned into your mind,repparttar 121763 fact that you need to minimizerepparttar 121764 use of adjectives and adverbs. Well, I'm here to tell you that they are wrong...well at least inrepparttar 121765 copywriting arena that is.

Write, re-write and re-write and re-write and re- write again...

2. Testimonials:

Show you prospect how your product has helped others.

One Testimonial is Worth a Thousand Words.

3. Make it convenient to do business with you:

No Obligation Inquiries - Many consumers are wary of being harassed by salespeople. Put their mind at ease. Let them know that they won't have to fight off salesperson after salesperson. Customer Service - Many consumers preferrepparttar 121766 icing torepparttar 121767 cake. They want to be catered to no matter whatrepparttar 121768 cost. If you can offer great service with low cost, you may haverepparttar 121769 winner you're looking for.

4. Know your target market and what they really want:

Testrepparttar 121770 product market before I picked my product. It's down right amazing how many companies decide onrepparttar 121771 product they know if there is actually a market for it..

Specific Targeting - Keep your advertising focused. The wider your scope,repparttar 121772 easier it gets to lose your reader. Write copy that coincides with current attitudes in your target group.

Use Laser-Like Alignment - The most successful copywriters know that they must keep their copywriting aligned withrepparttar 121773 market niche.

5. What to say....What to say:

Tell Them What You Do, not how you do it! What they really want to know about isrepparttar 121774 end result.

Tell Them What They Know - Another way to get your reader interested is to state a negative fact that your reader already knows, and offer a solution.

Findrepparttar 121775 Good in Everything - Rather than try to hide negative sides to your product, try making them known with a positive twist.

6. How can I get them to buy?

Use "special" benefits to make your product more attractive.

Offer Insider Information - People like to think they are getting something Exclusive or Special.

Use "Reward" and "Introduction" techniques. "Because you are a valued customer" or "Introducing" a new product.

Give a good reason for your price - Whether your price is higher or lower, explain why. Helprepparttar 121776 reader justifyrepparttar 121777 purchase.

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
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