Marketing is all about reaching the right audience at the right time and in the right place.
With more than 4.8 billion people using the Internet today, Internet marketing is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to reach potential customers.
Sounds easy, right? There’s just one problem.
What is Internet marketing?
In this column, you’ll learn how online marketing is defined, how content marketing differs from traditional advertising, and why marketers are so passionate about it.
You’ll also find examples of the different types of content you can use to achieve your internet marketing goals.
get ready? let’s start!
internet marketing explained
Internet marketing is the promotion of a company and its products or services through online tools that generate leads, increase traffic, and boost sales.
Also known as online marketing or digital marketing, internet marketing relies on digital channels to distribute promotional messages.
Internet marketing is a general term covering a wide range of marketing strategies and approaches.
From emails, search engines, social media posts to blog posts, all of these strategies share a common theme: they all focus on delivering content.
With content marketing, gone are the days of hopeful sales pitches and traditional marketing.
Now businesses can pinpoint their audience and deliver useful information that resonates.
Can you believe there was a time when salesmen knocked on strangers’ doors to sell encyclopedias?
Today we don’t even like it when friends knock on our door uninvited.
In fact, traditional marketing (or selling) no longer works.
Its approach, in fact, is to offer products and information to people to get them to buy.
Frankly, people are sick of it.
You know this is true because you yourself have been inundated with radio, television, commercials, billboards, and even phone calls selling products you’re not even interested in.
While traditional advertising can still be effective in some cases, the Internet has changed the way consumers shop.
Now, with unlimited information at their disposal, users can take a more proactive approach to finding solutions to their problems.
They can look for products that meet their needs and avoid those that don’t suit them.
We can all agree that ads are annoying. They interfere with our concentration and prevent us from looking for really useful content.
Not only that, people no longer want to learn about new products.
You understand what internet marketing is and how it can benefit your brand.
But what’s all the hype about it?
Internet marketing isn’t just a fad. It’s a proven winner.
Here are a few reasons why brands and marketers are shouting from the rooftops:
The global content marketing industry is expected to reach $412 billion by the end of 2021.
Consumers who read some content from a brand are 131% more likely to make a purchase from that brand than those who read nothing.
As many as 49% of B2B shoppers say they now rely on content more than ever before when making purchasing decisions.
Start developing your content marketing strategy today
The success of your online marketing campaign depends largely on your ability to develop top-notch content.
With so many media and platforms to choose from, you can certainly develop a content strategy that best meets the needs of your target audience.
Set some goals, decide where you will post your content (website, YouTube, social media), and start building your plan.
Identify your target audience and research their keyword preferences.
Use this information to start brainstorming ideas for your content.
Start sketching out content to share and promote on social media.
The more you do to build and develop relationships with your audience, the more likely they are to engage with your content.
Remember, internet marketing is about providing the right information to the right people at the right time for their needs.
This softer approach to marketing is more appealing to your audience and can open up limitless opportunities for your business.
So roll up your sleeves, dig deep and get to work.
