Everybody in sales knows the power of using Pay Per Click advertising but few marketers are aware of the changes that were  implemented in 2009 and how they will affect the Internet Entrepreneur in 2010.  PPC marketing during the 2000’s became the “Holy Grail” of marketing strategies for many internet marketers, it has all the attributes that a professional marketer would desire and the cost associated with PPC marketing has limited the competition to the best of the best.  

Well in 2009 Google and the Federal Trade Commission acted on the fact that many unscrupulous advertisers were making income claims that were deemed unreasonable and now both have made changes that will completely change the landscape of PPC marketing as we know it.  The FTC made changes on how companies can make income claims and the use of Income Disclaimers.  Google recently announced that they will be taking legal action against any company that infringes on their trademarks.  These announcements along with the fact that google was banning a lot of PPC marketers sent shockwaves throughout the internet marketing industry. 

But fear not as there are a few simple strategies that can be used to allow you to successfully market on Google. 

First and most importantly is that “Content Is King”.  It will be crutial to have unique and relevant content on your website if you desire to generate any leads from Google.  While Yahoo and Bing are not as concerned with unique or relevant content google is different.  With google there will no longer be any accepted use of duplicate or replicated content or page designs.  The affiliate marketer must now have a custom created website because the end user is generally unhappy with replicated pages. 

In 2010 the internet marketer must clearly define what they are offering on their website as well as make claims that are both realistic and supported by facts.  The websites that offered unrealistic claims or led the user to believe that they could make millions overnight will no longer be able to market on google as they will now have a team of employees who are visiting the pages that are being marketed and and will be determining whether the claims seem reasonable or outlandish.  Furthermore they are no longer slapping accounts they deem illegimate but instead they are banning the user from marketing on google for life.   

Finally make sure that you are constantly updating your website with new products, offers and information that will keep the end user coming back to revisit your site or stay on your site longer.  Some ways to do that would be include videos, and blog posts.  Anytime someone can stay on your page for an extra few minutes or share one of your blog posts with their facebook or twitter friends you will certainly see your page ranking go up and relevancy during google searches wil go up too. 

In the end marketing on PPC will not be too different for the legitimate and professional marketer but will simply take a few changes to how you promote your business to stay on top.

In all my years as an Internet Marketing Coach I am frequently asked, “What’s the fastest way can I grow my business?” 

The answer is one word, Leverage.  

Almost every successful entrepreneur has at one point leveraged the success of someone else as they go through the learning process.  As human beings we simply can’t know everything but we do have the capacity to learn anything.  As an entrepreneur the motivation to achieve success is strong but the major hurdle to overcome is time.  So as the new business owner goes through the learning process the best thing they can do is leverage the knowledge of someone who has already achieved success.  A great leader can tell their students what actions they can take right now to start generating traction with their new business as they go through the learning curve. 

“How can this help my Network Marketing Business?”

New marketers are typically anxious to start generating interest in their new business and making sales.  An effective mentor can assist them in leveraging some of the easier strategies to start them on their way.  Another way a mentor can help is by allowing the student to utilize some of the marketing materials that the student can use right away like email campaigns, ad copy, and even websites.   Leveraging these marketing materials will allow the new marketer to begin advertising right away while saving hundreds of hours of work researching and writing marketing materials. 

“What if I don’t have a mentor? Or “My mentor won’t help me!” 

It is imperative that you have someone successful to follow or the learning curve will be very steep.  Furthermore it is extremely important for you to find someone that will allow you to leverage their success or it will take much longer to achieve your goals and the road to success will be difficult. So if you are starting a new network marketing business make sure you find a successful mentor who is willing to share their knowledge so you can leverage your way to the top!

Okay, so you’re new to internet marketing but would like to quickly establish yourself with a strong online presence.  Once a new entrepreneur has a website the first goal is typically to start driving traffic to the site, but the steps I will outline will do much more than drive traffic to your website, it will establish some credibility as well.  With all of the internet scams out there it is very important to create some credibility so that the consumer will be more likely to make their purchase from you as opposed to someone else.  Here are just a few simple yet effective strategies that will allow you to position yourself or your business as an online leader very quickly. 

Press Releases

I have always valued a press release as the starting point when establishing your business online.  A press release will be distributed throughout the internet and it will typically be distributed through a wide spectrum of reputable news sites, so that regardless of what you are selling you will be highly visible to the entire internet, not just your target audience.   For your first few press releases you should announce the opening of your business and begin to promote the product line or services that you offer.  With the subsequent press releases you can offer promotions or discounts that you have available to customers or changes in your business. 

 

Social Networking Sites

In this era of Web 2.0, creating a profile for your business on major social networking sites can lead to what is in essence a fan club of your business and allow you to directly reach those who are most likely to purchase your products or services.  This has major implications beyond creating a fan club but can also allow you to connect to your consumer on a much more personal level.  With photos of the store, products or owners the consumer will feel a deeper connection to your company and you will remain the first choice when it comes to initial and repeat purchases.  This is the most effective way to establish credibility and ensure long term success.

 

Blogging

Blogging is very similar to social networking in many ways and they can be used in conjunction with each other.  The purpose of blogging is to keep consumers informed of the changes and progression of your business, services or product line.  Blogging will keep those who are your likely consumers aware of the changes in your business or services.  Plus the occasional blog will allow you the opportunity to connect with the consumer on a personal level as blogs are typically very candid and personal.

 

Article Marketing

Article marketing can be a very powerful tool in marketing your new business as it will allow you to establish your business or yourself as a knowledgeable and reputable source for your goods or services.  When creating an article you must offer insight to the fact that you are the best source for your goods or services since you have a deeper knowledge than other vendors.   With article marketing you can also give better descriptions or offer comparisons of your products or service.

 

Video Marketing

In an era where the internet has created a disconnect between the vendor and the consumer video marketing can allow you to bridge the gap.  In the past the consumer walk into the store, get to know the vendor and establish a personal relationship.  Now you may find it very beneficial for your business to market to someone on the other side of the globe.  When using video marketing you can essentially allow your customer to get to know you on a personal level similar to social networking sites.   This may ease some of the concerns or hesitations that your prospective client may feel when seeking out your services.  Video marketing may also allow you to show off your goods or services in a setting where you can demonstrate how the product can benefit the end user. 

 

 

Each of these strategies independently can grow your new business very rapidly, but when they are used in conjunction with each other you are sure to create a prominent and lasting impression.

 

Internet Marketing has quickly become one of the most important skills to have in the 21^st century for many obvious reasons.   With the continued and staggering growth of the internet, entrepreneurs have no choice but to adapt to the current environment to achieve success.  Such a rapid transition from traditional marketing  in mediums such as newspaper, radio and television to the new industry standards of social media, content marketing and Pay-Per-Click marketing have forced marketers to learn new skills to remain viable.  There are many positives and negatives due to this shift in marketing but for most the benefits outweigh the negatives.  The days of going through an advertising agency or a broker for your advertising needs are gone.  Within a few short months any determined entrepreneur can achieve better results at a cheaper cost than old school methods of marketing.  There are 3 critical components to achieving this success and without all three entrepreneurs are destined for failure. 

1)      Leadership

Finding the proper leadership is important as this factor can determine the speed at which you achieve your success.  Without proper guidance from either someone or a group that are succeeding in the skills that you desire to learn, you will be forced to go through a steep learning curve and essentially blaze your own trail.  Although this can be done, many who attempt to create their own path to success end up frustrated at their need to overcome the many hurdles that could have been avoided by following the success of others.  Although this is not the most important factor this can determine the speed at which you achieve your success. 

2)      Dedication

When deciding to learn a new skill set you must approach your learning with a laser like focus.  This focus is much deeper than committing to spend a few hours each day to learn the new skills you desire, it is a commitment to focusing all of your efforts, energy and thoughts towards your learning process.  Too many will treat this as some sort of hobby or continuing education process when a mental commitment must be much deeper.  To really achieve success in internet marketing you must dedicate and commit yourself to not just learning these techniques but mastering them.   

3)      Determination

Although many would combine dedication and determination as one, they are NOT synonymous in this context.   You see, to really master internet marketing you will undoubtedly encounter failure and frustration at some point in your journey.  Success cannot come without them.  No matter who you learn from or your level of dedication you will experience some degree of failure.  But you must frame your failures as a part of the process and not the end result.  I have known many successful entrepreneurs and each one have accomplished their goals based on their determination.  Determination is the ability to rise above your failures to become what you desire.  This is without a doubt the most important component in your success.  Without determination nothing else matters.  With determination, you can accomplish anything.