by Charles Grimm on March 30, 2009
I was reading an article the other day in a popular business magazine that suggested that social networks have still to prove themselves as a viable-profitable business model. Hummmm. Most of these more popular known social networks they said are not yet making any money, but they are busy attracting lots of visitors that they hope to pitch advertising messages from one of their media clients who they are trying to convince (their clients that is) that this will result in more site visits, thus more interest in their products or services and finally more sales. Wow! that even sounds complicated to me and I have been in the internet media business for 10 years.
You probably expected me to say that Social Networks are the best thing since sliced bread! Obviously, since we have a social network and are actively building our membership! On the contrary… social networks in my opinion are not for everyone and only have worth for individual or businesses with specific objectives. Meaning, depending on your business you should research which social network would benefit you and why. Unless you are an investment professional (I ‘m a former Morgan Stanley broker) or an insurance agent, everybody is not your client.
Recent data suggests, and it makes sense to me, that the average person can, and will only maintain activity in one social network. Why…because it takes time and most people are really just doing this for fun i.e. (that’s why Facebook and My Space have the highest memberships). While there are ways to leverage your relationships in sites like LinkedIn and Plaxo most people don’t know how to do this or have the time to spend to do this. Why, again, because it comes down to the relative payoff.
In my experience you need to work these systems diligently with an objective and tactics and a strategy plan in order to benefit with results, be it a new client or new job. Being an old school sales person having learned the direct method of sales…this new media method of social networking for sales can be quite frustrating even for someone that understands the system!
Now the positive message of social networks: There are many social networks developing every day. Just because you’re in business, it does not mean Linkedin is your best social network vehicle. In fact Linkedin is much more geared to salary professionals. Checkout all the smaller, new social networks (there are many, like www.questsocial.com)that are geared more toward you and your typical customer (Google, social networks).
Smaller is better. You have a much greater chance for connecting with the people in your network and in developing more quality relationships! And maybe, who knows, some new business!
by Charles Grimm on March 30, 2009
One definition of Affiliate Marketing is that it is a process of Internet Marketing where by you, the website owner, can make money, by showing links or advertisements of an affiliate company that has agreed to pay you commissions when your site visitors have clicked a link or signed up for the affiliate service. There are several ways of setting up affiliate marketing programs to monetize your website either by showing affiliate links and banners or by offering an affiliate program of your own to drive traffic and business to your site.
There are 3 key players in the Affiliate Marketing model: 1. The Merchant 2. The Affiliate and 3. The Prospect Customer.
There are both Advantages and Disadvantages to the affiliate model and it all depends on your overall business objectives. Not all objectives are about monetization although that is often a key goal when using affiliate marketing. Other goals for the affiliate model can range from Branding to strategic marketing and competitive goals.
I was in the process of writing a piece on Affiliate marketing when what should arrive in my inbox but an article by SeoBook on the exact subject. Aaron Wall discusses in more detail the Pro’s and Con’s of the affiliate marketing process.
While many make a very good living doing Affiliate marketing, “In 2006, MarketingSherpa estimated online affiliates worldwide earned US$6.5 billion in commissions”, there are also now a lot more people involved in affiliate marketing than there once was, just a couple of years ago. So it is important to be clear about your objectives, strategy and outcomes.
If you are interested Affiliate marketing, you can find out more about what others say at Sphinn.
by Charles Grimm on March 11, 2009
I quite often hear from people, that infamous saying,“my website does nothing for me.” My answer in much nicer terms usually is… did you expect that your website was going to be an automated business development machine that you just put into place and WOW like Vince from “SHAM WOW infomercial” https://www.shamwow.com , you just started getting more business. Or my favorite the SLAP CHOP! https://www.slapchop.com This guy is a Gremlin! He is everywhere! TV, Tradeshows, Stores and more I suspect. His site is not even well optimized because it is loaded with pictures.
My point; with all the site competition going online daily by the thousands from Orlando to Beijing, you need to do regular sales and marketing activities to drive traffic back to your website where of course you have a call to action landing page to enable people to take action and buy your product or service or simply sign up for more information and build your prospect database. You are in the driver’s seat with all sorts of possibilities to steer people back to your website where they can purchase at 12 midnight if they want.
So not to make this too long….Guess what the internet marketing benefit, at this moment and ongoing is to VINCE and SHAM WOW? I just gave him 2 back links which is one of the top ways Google evaluates site quality and worth for placement in their search engines. And why; because the guy made a connection off line (in other words we laughed our asses off) which caused me to check out his site. You’re asking: Did I buy a Slap Chop? No, not yet! But I did notice one on my Mom’s counter the other day.
Finally, this guy not only got back links but positive mention in the QuestSocial Blog which will be seen, eventually, by thousands of QuestSocial members who search the site for Marketing information. Take a tip from Vince; doing your work offline building your name or brand can have a multiplying impact online for your business!
