Our blog recently won an award for being one of the top 25 Women’s Marketing Blog. If you look to your right, you will see the award badge. Click on it to view the other 24 recipients. Our blog was noted for providing useful marketing tips and in depth information to our readers. So, this week we decided to provide our tips in the form of two videos.

The first video is a demonstration of how to convert your Word document into plain text when copy pasting a Word document into WordPress. The second video shows you how to insert a YouTube video into your LinkedIn Company Page. We hope that these videos will provide you with valuable tips. Let us know by leaving your comments below. Enjoy!

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Last week we wrapped up a series on Internet marketing for start-ups. We explained that social media marketing is an Internet marketing strategy. This week we will discuss how to use social media marketing to build relationships.

Building Relationships

According to an article, “How to Build Better Business Relationships” on the website Inc.com, relationships are the fuel that feeds the success of your business. “Without strong relationships, it is impossible to have success as a business owner,” says the founder and CEO of Denisoff Consulting Group Michael Denisoff. Go here to read the entire article, “How to Build Better Business Relationships.”

What is Social Media Marketing?

Social media marketing is simply using social networks to convince your target audience that your products and/or services are valuable. Although you want to sell your products and/or services, you can’t be blatant about it. It is a “soft sell” while building relationships.

The major three social networks are Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. After you have identified your target audience and determined what their needs are, as well as how your products or services can fulfill that need, then find out which social networks your target audience hangs out at. From there you can start building relationships with your prospective clients.

Following are some statistics to help you learn where your target audience does their social networking.

Age

According to an article, “A Portrait of Who Uses Social Networks in The US,” written on June 16, 2011 by Gregg Finn over at Search Engine Land, the average age user of Facebook is 38 years old, LinkedIn is 40 years old, and the average age user of Twitter is 33 years old.

Gender

The same article states that 43% of Facebook total users are men and 58% are women. LinkedIn is the only network with more men users than women. Sixty-three percent of Linked users are men and 37% are women. On Twitter 64% of the total users are women and 36% are men.

Race & Ethnicity

The article also cites the White race as being the vast majority users of social networks in the US. On Facebook, there are 78% White users, 9% Black, 9% Hispanics, and 12% Other Race. Over at LinkedIn, there are 85% White, 2% Black, 4% Hispanic, and 13% Other Race users. Twitter has 71% White users, 9% Black, 12% Hispanic, and 21% Other Race.

Overall, 92% of social networking users are on Facebook, 18% uses LinkedIn, and 13% social networkers use Twitter. More importantly, based on whom you are targeting, the above-mentioned statistics will help you determine which network(s) you will exert your energy and time based on age, gender and/or ethnicity.

In order to build relationships with your potential clients at the various social networks, get involved with their discussions, reply to their comments, offer pertinent information that will provide solutions. This is not really something you can outsource. Only you can be you. However, virtual assistants can help you set up your profiles and company pages.

Which social network sites have you been able to successfully build relationships? Leave us a comment below.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Last week we begin discussing Internet marketing tools and strategies that start-ups can use to promote their products and/or services online. This week, we will wrap up the Internet marketing strategies. We left off on discussing LinkedIn groups, which are similar to forums.

Yahoo Groups

Speaking of forums, Yahoo groups are business-related forums where you can swap pertinent information and gain valuable business tips as well. As we discussed last week, you will be seen as the expert in your area.

You also want to join the forums where your target audience hangs out. By following their conversations, you can learn what keeps them up at night and come up with solutions to their business issues.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of some of the Internet marketing strategies and tools you can use to promote your business online and get clients as a result. There are several more online marketing tools available.

Internet Users

According to the UN’s International Telecommunications Union (ITU), there are over 2 billion Internet users. With the world population at 6.8 billion and rising, almost one person in three is online. If you target your message correctly, you will reach your market within these global users. Everyone in the global market is not your potential clients. So, be sure to create your Internet marketing messages for your target audience.

Outsourcing

Unless your product or service offering is Internet marketing, it’s advisable to outsource your Internet marketing to experts in this area. Internet marketing is strategic and time-consuming. It will take your focus away from your core products or services.

When starting up your business, you will have enough items on your “to do” plate. There are virtual assistants that are experts in Internet marketing who are available for you to outsource your Internet marketing needs to on an ongoing basis. Internet marketing is continuous even after you are established.

As a start-up, have you used any of the online marketing strategies and tools mentioned in last week’s and this week’s posts to market your products and/or services and have you gained any clients through their use? We would love to hear. Leave us a comment below. You just might help some other start-up entrepreneur avoid the bumps in the road of Internet marketing.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Internet Marketing for Start-Ups – Part I

Now that you have your start-up business up and running, it’s time to let your target audience know that your products and/or services are available. They will not be aware of your existence, unless you tell them.

Whether you have a brick and mortar or an online business or both, one of the best strategies for spreading the word about your new products and/or services is through Internet marketing. We will cover some of the more popular Internet marketing methods and strategies in this post.

Website

It’s vital to have a website. This is your online business card. Having a website makes you and your business look credible. Not many people will do business with a company or entrepreneur if they don’t have a website.

Blog

Next you need to have a blog. You can use your blog to share your knowledge with your target audience, while at the same time become known as the expert in your field. This will drive traffic to your website, possibly converting your site visitors into clients.

Social Media

Then you need to get involved in social media marketing. This will also drive traffic to your website. The more popular social networks are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Facebook

On Facebook there are two different accounts you want to create. One is called Profile and the other is known as Page. Your profile account is for socializing with your family, friends, and colleagues. It also allows your potential clients to see the human side of you. Your Page is strictly for showcasing your business.

Twitter

Twitter is a real-time information network that enables you to follow conversation and topics you are interested in, as well as the latest information.  Connect with your target audience and drive traffic to your website. You can socialize on Twitter, while at the same time become recognized as an expert in your industry.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is for professionals only. Sharing personal, non-business type of information is not acceptable on LinkedIn. LinkedIn also has groups geared toward your interest.  Just do a search using search terms of your interest on the LinkedIn group drop-down menu to locate the groups you want to join. The groups are similar to forums where you can share information as well as gain knowledge to help you operate your business.

Come back next week when we continue our discussion on Internet marketing for start-ups.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Internet Marketing for Start-Ups – Part II

Last week we wrapped up a series on keyword research, this week we will begin discussing keyword selection for instant Google rankings. We will also cover targeting specific longtail keywords that have little competition and low traffic.

Selecting Keywords for Google Rankings

Keyword selection is so great, that if you select the right keywords, you can actually have a very good chance of landing a number 1 to number 5 position on Google within just a couple of weeks. It’s not going to be for extremely competitive search terms, but make no mistake, you will get targeted traffic. How? Read on.

What Kind of Terms Can You Rank Instantly For?

Now, most of the highly competitive terms are very difficult to rank for. It will take you months, potentially years to rank in the top number 1 to number 5 position.

However, there is another method of targeting keywords that’s far more efficient and effective. Instead of trying to rank for broad keywords, you are targeting specific longtail keywords with low competition and low traffic.

Each article containing your targeted longtail keywords will only pull a small amount of traffic, but over time this can add up very quickly.

These are your “instant ranking” keywords. It’s no exaggeration to say that you can get your page ranked within just a couple weeks. Why?

Come back next week when we will answer this question and continue the discussion of keyword selection for instant Google rankings.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Internet Marketing – Keyword Selection Tips – Part II

With all of the marketing talk and terms floating around, I’m sure you’d like to know what exactly is an Internet marketing element and how can it benefit you; especially, since we have focused on the various Internet marketing components over the past few weeks.

Internet Marketing Elements

Well, it’s not as complicated as it may sound. Internet marketing elements are various tools and procedures that are implemented in assisting your website when aiming for higher page ranks by improving your SEO efforts.

There are many different types of Internet marketing elements, each requiring different types of efforts and offering various results.

Writing and Distribution of Articles

One very popular Internet marketing element is the writing and distribution of articles. We have heard and read all about the advantages of having our content ‘out there’ for others to read and use as content. It offers such benefits as name recognition, reputation boosters and more, along with some SEO perks.

And although I’m sure that you are thinking that coming up with the content for your articles can take work, time and creativity, it’s those very same reasons that have helped create such demands for top-quality content.

Popular Article Banks

Publishing your articles to larger and more visible sites offer great benefits. High profile sites such as eHow, EzineArticles or Squidoo can provide the exposure that your article needs and deserves. These sites boast incredible traffic that drives visitors to your work without needing your efforts to be niche specific.

But I’m sure you probably know this and are asking . . . “How can I benefit the most, SEO-wise, when distributing my articles?” By linking your syndicated articles to your website’s sitemap!

How has article writing helped your SEO efforts? We would love to hear from you. Come back next week as we continue this discussion.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services
 

Last week we discussed the different components of Internet marketing, while at the same time explaining why Internet marketing and social media marketing are not interchangeable terms.

Website Development

We are continuing our topic on the various elements of Internet marketing or online marketing, and this week we are discussing website development. Your website is your online business card. It establishes your identity, and gives your company credibility. Besides, your competition has a website.

Online Shoppers

Would you do business or consider doing business with a company who doesn’t have a website? If you are an offline or online business, having a website is a necessary element of your marketing plan. The U.S. Commerce Department says online shoppers spent $165.4 billion in 2010. Without a website, you cannot capture any of this market.

Benefits of Having a Website

A website is used for informing your potential clients that you exist, as well as tell them about your company’s product and services, including the benefits of using them.

Using Website to Generate a List

You can also use your website to generate a list of leads to keep in touch with using e-mail marketing. Your goal is to convert these contacts into clients. We covered e-mail marketing a few weeks ago, Email Marketing – Part I and Email Marketing – Part II.

Which Internet marketing component have you had success with?  We would love to hear from you.  Come back next week to see which Internet marketing element we will cover. We will also share more Internet marketing tips.  See you next week.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

People tend to use these two terms interchangeably; however, they are not the same.  If you are not an Online marketing degree alum or have some type of Internet marketing background you might not know that they are not the same.  Social media marketing is a component of Internet Marketing.

Components of Internet Marketing

The other areas of Internet marketing, also known as online marketing, include website development, blog marketing, email marketing, and article marketing. Banner ads are also a component, which originally was what Internet marketing was.

Internet marketing is increasingly becoming a part of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and corporations marketing mix.

Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is marketing through social networks; for example, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The key to social media marketing is interacting with other members of these social networks fostering business relationships.

Social Bookmarking

Social media marketing also includes adding bookmarking services bookmark and share widgets to your articles, blog posts, and web pages. (See our bookmark and share widget below) If your site visitors “Digg it,” “Tweet it,” or “Stumble it,” etc., your articles, posts, and web pages will be submitted into social news sites such as Digg or Internet search engine searching the best websites site like StumbleUpon or search engine searching for the best blogs site; for example, Technorati.

Once submitted, your writings are shared with other members of the bookmarking networks, and they are able to vote for them also.

Video Marketing

YouTube is popular for video marketing, which is also considered as part of social media marketing since it is becoming a social networking site. YouTube is an excellent tool to market your products and services to your target audience.

So, as you can see there is a difference between Internet marketing and social media marketing and can’t really be used interchangeably.

Is Internet marketing part of your marketing mix? If so, which components do you use? We would love to hear from you. Stop by next week for more Internet marketing tips.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Article marketing is another tool or marketing strategy you can use to drive traffic to your website, as well as demonstrate your expertise in your field.

Target Audience

When composing your articles, share with your target audience information that will help them move their business forward and increase their knowledge and skill set. This is why it’s important to know whom you are speaking to, what keeps them up at night, what kind of information can you provide them, which will alleviate their business concerns.

Keywords and Search Terms

Include search terms, also known as keywords, your potential clients use to find you. Be sure to include these keywords when submitting your articles to article banks. This is a SEO (search engine optimization) strategy, which could help your ranking on the more popular search engines.

Articles Banks

So, you ask, “What are article banks?” Marnie Pehrson of IdealMarketers.com gives an excellent description, “An article bank is a web site where people can post articles for webmasters, ezine publishers, newsletter editors and offline publications to find and reprint.” She also lists the top 10 article banks where you can submit your articles. Go here to learn which banks they are: http://www.ideamarketers.com/?Top_10_Article_Banks&articleid=180399.

Article Content

You may be wondering what topic you could write about. If you have written a series of blog posts on a particular subject, arrange them into an article. This is known as repurposing your content.

Keep in mind if you have included links in your posts, some article banks limit the amount of links that can be included in the body of the article. Be sure to review the editorial guidelines if this is the case.

Article marketing is an excellent free publicity tool. However, it is time-consuming and can be one of those mundane tasks that can be outsourced to your Virtual Assistant.

Which Internet marketing strategies do you use?  We would love to hear from you.  Come back next week for more Internet marketing tips.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Last week we began discussing the basics of email marketing and how it can drive traffic to your website.  This week we continue our discussion focusing on autoresponders, as well as some of the more popular email marketing software companies.

Autoresponder:

Autoresponders can be designed to send out information to your list at specific intervals. For example, if you are sending out a series on a specific subject; for example, How to Use Facebook Part I, How to Use Facebook Part II, How to Use Facebook Part III, etc., you can schedule each part of the series to go out consecutively on a weekly basis.

Another function of autoresponders is, it will send out the series based on when your site visitor opt-in to your list. For example, Sally submits her email information on Monday adding her name to your list. You can configure the autoresponder to send her Part 1 as soon as she opts in to your list. Part II will be emailed to Sally seven days later, Part III 14 days after that until she receives all parts of your series.

It doesn’t matter when someone signs up to receive information from you, the autoresponder will keep track based on when your visitors opt-in. It is all automated!

You can also offer your site visitors a free gift for opting in to your list. You can configure the autoresponder to automatically send them the gift as soon as they opt-in.

Contact Management Companies:

Some well known contact management/email marketing software companies are AWeber, iContact, VerticalResponse,Constant Contact, IShoppingCart and MailChimp. They provide the software you will need to execute your campaigns, as well as implement autoresponders. The contact management companies also provide you with the codes you need to add the signup form or box to your website and/or blog.

Email marketing can convert your mailing list to clients. Which email marketing software are you using or would recommend? Come back next week for more Internet marketing tips!

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

E-mail Marketing – Part I