Business Education

Whether you are a big industry or small local business, creativity matters,

especially in today’s competitive market. Today, even small family-owned

businesses have their own websites, blogs, and Facebook pages.

Then, how can you stand out from your competitions?

Creativity is the key. Creative marketing grabs peoples’ attention.

Unless you have something creative, people aren’t going to pay

attention, which means the money you spent on advertising is simply a waste.

Today’s online marketing industry is more competitive than ever.

Do something creative to promote your company like the one

above, and post it on internet for the world to see.

Many of you, however, aren’t going to have enough budget to put on a show like

that. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative.

UBC LibDub, for example, is a creative online video produced by students

to promote their school.

Anything is possible when your school smells like UBC.

Anything is possible when your business can smell creativity.

Online marketing can also be used for non-profit organizations,

to increase awareness, raise donations, or simply spread the love.

Many people think that those with AIDS cannot be cured, and that

their health will worsen over time. This particular video proves this

belief wrong. The above video is about a young girl named Selinah,

who suffers from AIDS. Selinah agrees to be filmed for 90 days

so that her story can help others like her.

On Day 90, she looks like an average girl in her age. As the day goes

in reverse, she gets thinner and thinner to the point her bones are showing.

Through online video marketing, Topsy Foundation increases awareness

of AIDS, and informs people that the effects of AIDS can be reversed

with treatment.

SPCA, another non-profit organization, held a contest for the best online

animal rescue clip. Hundreds of people participated, in hopes of increasing

awareness of abandoned animals. A contest like this creates more attention

and support. Voice of hundreds are obviously louder than a voice of one,

no matter how loud that person may be. Online marketing is especially

powerful because there are millions of viewers online. Also, SPCA contest

connected many animal lovers together, spreading love globally.

If you have a cause you believe in, create an online video and post it on Youtube.

Spread the word. Spread the love.

Craigslist.org started in San Francisco as electronic newsletter.

Today, it is one of the most popular websites in North America,

with local classified for more the 450 cities across the world.

Craigslist.org provides local classifieds and forums for jobs,

housing, items for sale, personals, services, and community

events. People often use craigslist to sell, buy or exchange

various products because it is mostly free and easy to access.

Craigslist allows sellers and marketers to market and sell goods

for free. Craigslist would be a good website to market your products

with no or very little costs. It is also easy to register an account and

create posts. All you have to do to create an account and put up

an ad is to verify your e-mail.

The downside of craigslist is that it’s not very trustworthy.

The ad you put up will include your e-mail, but craiglist offers a function that

masks your e-mail so that it’s not openly available. Because all the information

criaglist has of its users is their e-mails, it is very dangerous. Also, all transactions

are between the “seller” and “buyer” only. Criglist employees don’t get involved in

transactions or discussions unless a user reports a problem.

There are many crimes going on craigslist that are much more serious than

small frauds. In 2009, Philip Markoff used craigslist to lure woman to high-end

hotels and asaulted them while trying to rob them. The third woman, Julissa Birsman,

was murdered. This was known as “Criagslist Killing.”

Without a doubt, craisglist is a convenient website that connects people in the

community. However, because there is low security, it’s not very credible.

If you want to market your company or products conveniently with low costs,

I suggest using craigslist, but you won’t get much credibility from customers.

Do you want to start online marketing for your business?

Do you have no previous experience with online marketing ?

Are you stressing out about creating your first

website, blog or Facebook page?

Do you have no idea where to start?

Well, here are few blogs that might interest you!

1) http://whereispuck.com/

2) http://blog.mailchimp.com/

3) http://www.closingbigger.net/

4) http://blog.hubspot.com/

5) http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/

6) http://www.johnchow.com/

Here are general descriptions about few of the websites:

whereispuck.com is a blog created Ivan. This blog about new

business trends is inspired by Wayne Gretzky’s quote,

“A GOOD hockey player plays where the puck is. A GREAT

hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.”

Want to become a GREAT marketer? Visit Ivan’s blog!

blog.hubspot.com is the Inbound internet marketing

blog about SEO, blogging, social media, landing pages,

lead generation and analytics. If you have no idea what SEO,

landing pages and lead generations even mean, it would be

a good idea to visit the site and find out!

blog.mailchimp.com is the Mail Chimp internet blog about

e-mail marketing. If you want to learn more about internet

marketing, make a visit!

These sites will help you through basics and details that

you will need to succeed in online marketing.

Remember to follow these blogs on regular basis as

they upload new information frequently.

It is important to track these new information as

online market is changing everyday.

Today, we live in mobile world.

We are constantly using our phones.

In a given week, 81% of people browsed internet,

77% used a search engine, 48% watched a video,

63% accessed a social network with their phones.

It seems we are inseparable from our phones.

We take our phones everywhere we go: 39% use it while

going to the bathroom, 33% while watching TV, and 22% while

reading newspaper.

The rise smartphones are creating smarter customers.

79% of customers use smartphones to help with shopping.

54% use it to find a retailer, 49% use it to compare prices,

and 48% use it to see promotions and get coupons.

Without a doubt, mobile marketing is a huge opportunity.

E-marketers should explorer this opportunity.

E-marketers can create a website for just smartphone users,

or create a function on their website for smartphone users to

purchase items easily. It would be a shame for e-marketers to

to look past the mobile movement.

Here are some facts about today’s online world:

Online marketing is no longer an option. It is now a requirement for survival.

97% consumers now use internet to research for products and services.

Simply having an online website is no longer enough.

You must get potential customers to visit your website, and then follow up

and build relationships with them to turn them into loyal customers.

Many of your competitors are quickly catching on to the benefit of online marketing,

and are taking more steps to increase their presence online.

There are already 700 million members on Facebook and Twitter,

and the number is increasing. There are over 300 million visitors to YouTube

every month, and those visitors watch over 2 billion videos.

Here are quick tips on how to increase your company’s presence in the online world:

1) create short videos and articles about your company/product/service

2) create lead capture campaign

3) follow up campaign

4) get your business in the local search directories

5) use targeted internet ads, such as Google AdWords

6) use Social Media

Remember, online marketing is no longer an option.

You MUST start online marketing to compete in today’s market.

Email marketing is the new trend in marketing.

In his online video, Joe explains that email marketing

as a powerful method for boosting online marketing and increasing ROI.

Average Email marketing ROI is $57 per dollar spent, which is a phenomenal return.

This is why many businesses are now using email marketing to increase awareness and sales.

Email marketing growth in the market is 14.6%.

Joe outlines 4 steps to building a successful email marketing strategy:

1) build quality opt-in database

2) send timely messages that are relevant

3) segment your database

4) use advanced technology and good ISP relations

He also highlights key benefits to email marketing:

1) drive new sales

2) up-sell current clients

3) track exact ROI

4) improvement to bottom line

Without a doubt, email marketing is the new trend in marketing, and has proven itself to be successful marketing tool.

Many businesses are now using online marketing to build awareness.

They are familiar with creating website,

and using social media to connect with customers.

However, only a small number of businesses use

online video marketing as one of their e- marketing tools.

Here are 3 questions people often pose when first making online videos:

1) How do I create videos?

2) How do I upload videos?

3) Where do I upload videos?

4) Are they effective?

Here is the answer to the fourth question right away: Yes!

Online marketing videos are especially effective in gaining trust

and building relationship with your customers

by allowing them to see who you are through the videos that you create.

Successful online marketers use online video marketing to attract

consumers and increase the traffic  to their websites.

How do you create a video? It’s simple!

You do not have to be a professional to do this.

Just write down ten frequently asked questions from your customers,

and get a friend or colleague to interview you on camera.

Do it several times to get comfortable around the camera.

When you get interviewed and bring out your personality and knowledge,

people will think you are a genuine person with authority,

and will want to learn more about what you can offer.

Remember not to make the videos too long. Keep it short and sweet.

Use TubeMogul, PixelPipe, HeySpread to distribute your videos.

Once you singed up to these sites, the sites will distribute your videos to

many other sites. Remember to add in the URL to your company website

in the description box when you upload your videos.

Remember to keep the videos updated. Keep in touch with your customers!

Social Media is a great way to market your business online.

However, many people don’t know:

1) how to start

2) how to effectively manage their time, and

3) how they put everything together.

In above youtube video, it outlines four basic steps to succeed in social media marketing:

1)  Find Interested People

2) Deliver Quality Content

3) Capture Information

4) Keep in Touch

Another great tip they give in the video is that people should

NOT try to make money on social media, but use it for what it is:

1) to connect

2) socialize, and

3) build relationship.

Building relationship is the most important aspect in business, not money.

If you build a relationship with your customer

and gain their trust, money will then follow.

They also talk about the advantages of Social Media: TOP OF MIND

T- trust

O- offer your products or services

P- perceived as experts

O- outstanding visibility

F- familiarity

M- makes you credible

I-increases referrals

N-new relationships

D-demand higher prices

Don’t be afraid of Social Media. It’s easier and more friendly than you think!

We all know how powerful social media is.

College students spend hours and hours on Facebook or Twitter.

Some people have even become addicted to Facebook and are seeking medical help.

Without a doubt, Facebook and Twitter are the two biggest

social media networks in the world. By the end of 2010,

the awareness of Twitter was at 87% in United States, while Facebook was at 88%.

7% of Americans, 2.2 million people, use Twitter actively.

Out of those active users, 51% of them follow companies,

brands or products on social networks.

Volkswagen’s played fast and smart.

Volkswagen used Twitter to customize its products.

VW realized the popularity and power of Twitter among Americans,

and was first to create Twitter banner to promotes its brand.

VW’s twitter banner captures the attention of Twitter followers,

and helps VW stand out from its competitors.

This is how the VW Twitter banner works:

1) You type in your Twitter username

2) VW looks for your tweets and feeds

3) Matches you with the right car based on the content of your feeds

VW has taken customization to the next level with Twitter.

How more innovative can its competitors play?

Right on, Volkswagen!