I had an email exchange with a prospect that really got me thinking about why some businesses make and why many do not. This particular prospect informed me today that they are going to be taking baby steps to get to their Internet marketing efforts. First, they are going to try some print, then maybe some new business cards, then maybe a few ads in magazines, then, once they get through that, they will be, most likely, looking into the Internet. Unfortunately, this business probably won’t be around long enough to make it to the Internet part.

Let’s face it: the businesses that are thriving are focusing on their online presence. They aren’t surviving due to their Yellow Page ad campaign, they aren’t surviving because of their brilliant post card scheme, they are surviving & THRIVING because they are being found online. They are getting serious about content generation, they are serious about reaching out to their prospects via smart phone advertising, SEO or pay per click campaigns, they are getting serious about their social media presence. They simply get the fact that the wave of consumers cannot be sold to. The new consumer comes to your business, not the other way around. The new consumer isn’t phased by billboards, they skip TV commercials with their DVR, they switch to XM radio when tacky car or appliance commercials inundate their FM channel, shopping and purchasing decisions are now literally, in the hands of the consumer.

Here’s what successful companies are NOT doing in 2012.

- Yellow Page Ads.
- Spamming people with irrelevant unsolicited emails.
- Post cards.
- Placing fliers on car windows.
- Ignoring the fact that consumers are making purchasing decisions online prior to even setting foot in their stores.

Here’s how the most successful & relevant businesses WILL BE thriving in 2012:

- By Blogging and informing consumers.
- By engaging and participating in lively discussions online.
- By optimizing their web site and social media presence to get their web site found in Google, Bing & Yahoo.
- By simply understanding that they cannot push their message onto consumers anymore.
- By answering the problems that their consumers are facing (and typing into a search engine…)
- By creating and maintaining pay per click campaigns with targeted and relevant landing pages.
- By implementing mobile / smartphone advertising campaigns and strategies.
- By paying attention to their online reputation and learning / growing from that reputation.

Is your business marketing plan all about being relevant in 2012? Do your business a huge favor and discuss your Internet marketing plan with true Internet Marketing experts today: call us: In Orlando: 407-830-4550, Nationwide: 866-998-6886.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!