Marketing Lessons from LeBron James Free Agency

Marketing lessons are all around us, but sports marketing is particularly intriguing.  Whether a fan or not, if you have caught the news in the last few days, you no doubt heard some report about Lebron James.  As I was thinking through observations of LeBron James’ free agency, I’m convinced there are some marketing lessons here for the rest of us; I’ve included some of my ideas below.  What is missing?  What do you think? Read more

Technorati Tags: marketing example, marketing ideas, marketing strategy

The Second Half – Tips for Finishing the Year Strong

Summer is a great time, filled with hot summer days and long summer nights.  Yet those of us in the northern hemisphere running online empires might be tempted to chill on a few too many ice creams, Jamba Juices and homemade smoothies.  Summer is a great time to get ready for the second half.  Taking a few steps back to consider what’s been working, what customers and the market wants, and using technology can be the difference between closing more sales, and just doing cruise control for the balance of the year.  Let’s discuss this in more detail. Read more

Technorati Tags: business strategy, marketing strategy

Questions for Evaluating Marketing Results So Far This Year

Six months of the year is nearly by us, and it is appropriate to look back and see what we’ve done and how effective it has been. Here are a few questions worth considering for various categories in your business. You don’t have to answer all of them, but as you do, you’ll gain insight to your marketing efforts that you might not have otherwise. Read more

Technorati Tags: email marketing strategy, marketing strategy, online marketing review, website analytics

3 Ways I Use Mindmapping for Marketing Online

There are many things that can be done to market a given product or service online.  Whether you are big business, small business, or solopreneur, you have limited resources and can’t do everything.  I find mind mappping is very useful when it comes to organizing my thoughts on businesses, and online marketing efforts.  Chris Brogan’s recent post on how he uses mindmapping to write got me thinking of new ways to use mind mapping.  I’m a novice mindmapper, but have found you don’t have to be awesome at mindmapping to benefit from it. Read more

Technorati Tags: marketing strategy, mindmapping

Jeff Walker Product Launch Formula Farewell

Much has been made about the recent FTC Changes that go into effect December 1.  Everything from, “I’m too small for them to come after me,” to “Internet marketing apocalypse.”   You can learn a lot from what Frank Kern said about his experience here, his take on recent changes here, as well as public records of his experience and final judgement here.  Jim Edwards, long-time internet marketer, dug for the truth in his interview with Mr. Rich Cleland, Assistant Deputy at The Federal Trade Commission (link).  For sure this is something that cannot be ignored, and I think it is wise to take a measured and disclosure oriented approach.  MarketingProfessor.com has recently added a link to our disclosure policy at the top of the comment section for each post.  However, one online marketer has taken an even more drastic approach. Read more

Technorati Tags: marketing strategy, product launch formula

The Best and Worst Experiences of Marketing Online

It may have happened this week, this month, this year, or this century, if you’ve had any experience marketing online, you’ve got stories, good ones, and, well, not so good ones.  I call these lessons (smile).  While I don’t read every post, I’m a fan of what Darren Rose does over at Problogger.net, last month he shared a best and worst blogging experiences of the week article, which I learned a lot from.  I thought it was great, and decided to test out the idea here in light of some marketing stories I was sharing with a friend recently.  I’ll share a couple of mine , and look forward to hearing yours.  Between all of us, we should be able to learn a thing or two (let’s hope). Read more

Technorati Tags: lessons, marketing strategy, online marketing

5 Marketing Predictions for 2009

Predictions are a dicey proposition…you will be wrong about something because nobody can see the future.  It is even more difficult considering that 12 calendar months is like a lifetime in technology, not to mention the rapid changes any entrepreneur, online marketer, or small business owner might navigate through. Read more

Technorati Tags: 2009 small business marketing predictions, economic challenges, email marketing strategy, legitimate ways to make money online, marketing plan, marketing strategy, ppc search engine placement, small business marketing, small business owner, Social, social marketing strategy, social networking, web marketing strategy

Google Friend Connect, 3 Ways to Extend Your Reach

There is no question, social networking is booming, as well as social networking for business, and there is no end in sight.  While users are leveraging social networks to increase website traffic  for their business, they are also placing social network profile content on their website properties, from your Twitter feed to Facebook badges, LinkedIn widget to Plaxo Badges, just to name a few.  Now, Google is attempting to extend their reach in the social game by helping users extend theirs with Google Friend Connect . Read more

Technorati Tags: business blogging, google friend connect, increase web traffic, internet marketing, marketing strategy, search engine marketing, social networking

Online Marketing Strategy with MySpace

MySpace is the birthplace of the viral indie band. Keep that in mind when you design your social marketing strategy for this hip and fast moving marketplace. Unlike some of the other social networks promotion and outrageous presentation are encouraged, not scoffed.

Although serious business marketing is taking place on MySpace you have to conform to the space. It is irreverent, fast, obnoxious, and even a bit confusing. However, playing on the edge, taking risks, and making mistakes are all expected–not feared. Read more

Technorati Tags: internet marketing, marketing strategy, myspace, small business marketing, Social, social networking

Social Syndication, 5 Secrets to Broadcasting Value and Expertise with Twitter

Twitter is becoming the center of the social networking universe. There are literally hundreds of social sites, services to host content or media, and networked communities; however, Twitter is the definitive communications network. Learn to use it to create a powerful social syndication system.

Define Social Marketing Objective
Before you start any social marketing strategy define the results you want and the market you want to target.

Are you marketing for traffic, back links, awareness, credibility, or direct sales? Each objective or combinations can alter your social syndication plan. If you are looking for traffic and backlinks, you may syndicate blog posts or articles. Whereas, building credibility and direct sales may direct you to syndicate squeeze page links and ebooks. Read more

Technorati Tags: conversations, host content, marketing objective, marketing strategy, social networking, social networks, target market