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	<title>IM Blog &#187; Marketing</title>
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	<link>http://www.im-blog.info</link>
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		<title>Overcome Internet Marketing Challenges</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/12/overcome-internet-marketing-challenges/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/12/overcome-internet-marketing-challenges/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Dec 2010 08:38:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IM Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=180</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Internet marketing is one of the most booming businesses online. This business requires you to use modern technology to realize its benefits. Many people want to make a lot of cash online. The well established online marketers usually assemble very complicated sites. The main challenge that potential customers find is inaccessibility to the complicated sites. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Internet marketing is one of the most booming businesses online. This business requires you to use modern technology to realize its benefits.  Many people want to make a lot of cash online. The well established online marketers usually assemble very complicated sites. </p>
<p>The main challenge that potential customers find is inaccessibility to the complicated sites. The complications can vary. At times, you can find error messages pop ups whenever you want to access a link. You can also find that the website has bugs which affect its marketing strategies.<br />
<span id="more-180"></span><br />
Internet marketing has got several drawbacks while compared with traditional marketing. </p>
<p>Some of the drawbacks include:<br />
Inability to touch the product you want to purchase<br />
You cannot try the product before purchasing </p>
<p>Such drawbacks make online markets to device ways of succumbing them.  One method that is used is to provide a return policy guarantee. This helps the customers to return back the product in case they are not contented with it. </p>
<p>The challenges of internet marketing are mainly faced by people who are new to this field. When you are new to this field, you can expect to face a lot of problems. Many people actually get discouraged when they are venturing in this marketing. Some of them even give up in this business. Most people say that the hardest part of this business is when starting. The secret of succeeding in this business is to actually devising ways of overcoming the challenges. </p>
<p>If you want to succeed in internet marketing, you need to be adequately prepared so that you can start selling your products. The first thing that you should do is to create a list of things that you are supposed to carry out. You should know that the most crucial part of the business is the start point. When you start the business on the right foot, there is a probability that it will succeed. You should have clear defined strategies that will help you to attract customers to your business. In fact, you should plan on how to use those strategies and ensure that your business goes to a higher level. You should ensure that you use good and attractive information regarding your products. </p>
<p>This can help to attract the attention of the customers and thus, they will visit your site. When you start the business, you should give it sometime so that it can pick up. </p>
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		<title>Basics of Small Business Internet Marketing</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/12/basics-of-small-business-internet-marketing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/12/basics-of-small-business-internet-marketing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Dec 2010 03:33:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=176</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is important to know the kind of impact that internet marketing can create to your small business. Web marketing can help to increase the number of customers in your business. This type of marketing provides a stronger approach to your business thus, leading to its success. This marketing seems to provide several advantages rather [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is important to know the kind of impact that internet marketing can create to your small business. Web marketing can help to increase the number of customers in your business. This type of marketing provides a stronger approach to your business thus, leading to its success. </p>
<p>This marketing seems to provide several advantages rather than the traditional marketing.  First and foremost, this marketing is cheaper yet it also targets more consumers. This type of marketing is easy to manage. There are various resources and tools that are available online which will help to propel your business to greater heights.<br />
<span id="more-176"></span><br />
Small business internet marketing and search engine optimization have got a major connection. SEO is like the cornerstone of online marketing. This is because SEO has got a number of processes that are required for these businesses. Some of the processes include researching on keyword, registration with search engine, placing of keyword in tags, texts and descriptions. When you set up a website, the first thing that you should put into consideration is the SEO. The best way to venture into this marketing is to start with the right foot. </p>
<p>You should know that small business internet marketing aims at finding its customers through search engines. You should come up with keywords that are targeting your audience. You are supposed to search and exchange links with the customers who are visiting your website. Some of the search engines that you should target include MSN, Google, Yahoo and Bing. You should focus on making your keywords to be among the highest ranked in the search engines.  </p>
<p>Most of the times, customers tend to visit the results of the sites that are among the top 10. This will help in ensuring that many people visit your website.  The main challenge is to know how to be among the top ranking on the search engines. </p>
<p>Another strategy of improving your small business internet marketing is by targeting social networks. Currently, social networks have become very popular and many people are using them to interact. You should use this as a stepping stone to improve your business. Some of the social networks that you can use include Facebook, twitter and Myspace.  </p>
<p>You can use these networks to discuss the products that your business has to offer. You can convince potential clients why your products are important. This will be an effective strategy of taking your business to the next level. </p>
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		<item>
		<title>SEO Consumer Insight</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/12/seo-consumer-insight/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/12/seo-consumer-insight/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:10:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SEO]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=172</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Over the past two decades, technology has come a long way and given different companies a bigger platform to operate on. With the advent of numerous social networking sites, the world of search engine marketing has opened up even further resulting in numerous platforms that marketers can use to peddle their wares. However, just because [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Over the past two decades, technology has come a long way and given different companies a bigger platform to operate on. With the advent of numerous social networking sites, the world of search engine marketing has opened up even further resulting in numerous platforms that marketers can use to peddle their wares. However, just because the world has become a global village that has billions if internet users waiting to buy this item or the other, the marketer has got to be smart enough to get their product to the consumer in the most unassuming way.<br />
<span id="more-172"></span><br />
In order to do this, the first line of business should be to get the right content for the site. The right subject matter could make the difference between good traffic volumes and mediocre ones; and for the shrewd business person, the former should be aimed for over and again.</p>
<p>Any content that is to be used for search engine marketing should be up to date because there is nothing as good as visiting a site only to find that that information is current. This assures consumers that should they ever need information on certain topics this is the site to visit.</p>
<p>Moreover, the site should have as many relevant keywords as possible. These should be chosen with the target group in mind; and as such, should be as need specific as possible. Keywords have become buzz words in the industry and as long as the world continues to shrink in size and perform more functions online, this trend is set to continue.</p>
<p>From here, the next step involves implementing the one of a kind strategy that company has laid out in order to attract more online users to the site. These action plans are not static but could be tweaked and improved upon depending on the target market; the product and the duration of the marketing campaign. These three factors have got to be seriously researched by the site owner and the marketer for them to have solid impact in the market.</p>
<p>These three should then be combined with testing and tracking strategies that are just as important in marketing. These allow the enterpriser to not only try out new marketing strategies that are niche specific; but also gives them the capacity to take on any necessary follow up. </p>
<p>Search engine marketing will continue to increase in value as the internet becomes the one stop shop for everything under the sun; and for the shrewd business person, there is no time like the present to take on this kind of marketing.</p>
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		<title>Marketing for the Shrewd</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/12/marketing-for-the-shrewd/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/12/marketing-for-the-shrewd/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:06:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=170</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is always a gimmick or other being invented by marketers; and whereas some are more upfront than others, the end result is dictated by how impelling the marketing is. The term search engine marketing was coined to define the kind of merchandising that is done using search engine optimized words that are responsible for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There is always a gimmick or other being invented by marketers; and whereas some are more upfront than others, the end result is dictated by how impelling the marketing is. The term search engine marketing was coined to define the kind of merchandising that is done using search engine optimized words that are responsible for drawing in traffic to a site. </p>
<p>This has been impact to date, but it should be done within a certain limit to avoid filling the site with fluff. Other than using the required keywords on at least 2% of the document, the site owner should have sound content on their site which will assure them of repeat users.<br />
Good content alongside a solid presentation are mandatory for the individual that is looking to step-up their sales. This should be the focus from the onset of the project and there are several ways this can be done. </p>
<p>To begin with, the content has got to be as up to date as possible so that the user is not faced with the same sort of irrelevant or outdated information time and again. In addition to this, the site should have fresh substance injected into it every so often because the more relevant the information is, the better for the owner of the site and the consumers that would peruse it in search of data.<span id="more-170"></span></p>
<p>With regards to the information, it should be presented in an orderly manner that is clear and to the point. This is an important aspect of the search engine marketing because if the average user is going to spend just a few moments going through the site, the content had better be to the point.</p>
<p>Moreover, the information on the site has got to guarantee its owner good returns on investment. The better the information is, the higher the chances of the enterpriser getting good returns on investments. Last but definitely not least, the site should have as many links as possible all over the place which greatly increases the chances of more clients logging on and purchasing the products or services on offer.</p>
<p>Online marketers have for a long time bombarded clients with all manner of information that is meant to get them to simply buy whatever is being peddled. Granted, this is mainly a consumer run society but as time goes by, the buyers are becoming weary of the overaggressive marketing campaigns. This is where search engine marketing comes into the picture because as opposed to being in-your-face, these campaigns are more subtle yet they get the job done.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Search Engine Marketing Tips</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/11/search-engine-marketing-tips/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/11/search-engine-marketing-tips/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:02:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=167</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For any person venturing into the online world for business the first time over, this may be a very daunting task. Where the agenda is to sell and sell some more, there are some tips that have got to be followed in order for the consumer and marketer to get the results they so desire. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For any person venturing into the online world for business the first time over, this may be a very daunting task. Where the agenda is to sell and sell some more, there are some tips that have got to be followed in order for the consumer and marketer to get the results they so desire.</p>
<p>Search engine marketing as with any other kind of marketing ought to be aggressive without being offensive or bothersome; and with the online industry, this might prove to be quite tricky. This sort of marketing gets the products to the consumer without overburdening them with irrelevant information or causing them to feel like they have to buy whatever is being sold.<br />
<span id="more-167"></span><br />
One of the best ways to optimize this sort of marketing is by using the paid to click system. This has dual impact in that it creates employment while causing the sites ranking to rise. As is common knowledge, the higher the site is on the search engine, the higher the chances that the relevant parties will find it and buy something or enlist for this course or the other.</p>
<p>Yet another method that is used to improve search engine marketing is the use of agencies that specialize in this industry. These agencies focus on marketing the goods and services to consumers whether directly or indirectly and there are several advantages that come with using this kind of system. </p>
<p>Firstly, as the site owner, the work load is lessened due to the outsourcing. Secondly, these agencies are dedicated to marketing and will therefore find the fastest way to get the information to the client which may not be common knowledge to those not in the industry.<br />
Thirdly and lastly, for search engine marketing to be optimized, the enterpriser could use paid placements or inclusions that give them access to different consumers within and without their target audience. However, in order to take this form of marketing to higher heights, the keywords used to market the site have got to be relevant to the target market. As an example, if the agenda is to sell weight loss tablets to the obese, then it would be better to have weight loss and obese in the statement as opposed to simply weight loss. </p>
<p>In conclusion, there are very many methods available for the individual focused on search engine marketing; some of which are more hard-hitting than others.</p>
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		<title>Cost Effective Search Engine Marketing</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/11/cost-effective-search-engine-marketing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/11/cost-effective-search-engine-marketing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Nov 2010 21:59:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SEO]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=164</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Marketing can be as expensive as one desire; or it can be the most cost effective way to get your goods and services out to the public. There are various kinds of advertising campaigns taken out by different establishments but one of the best is search engine marketing. This sort of marketing focuses on getting [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Marketing can be as expensive as one desire; or it can be the most cost effective way to get your goods and services out to the public. There are various kinds of advertising campaigns taken out by different establishments but one of the best is search engine marketing. </p>
<p>This sort of marketing focuses on getting the maximum amount of sales for the company without costing an arm and a leg though, there are several strategies that should be put into place before the campaigns can go out.<br />
<span id="more-164"></span><br />
One of the well favored schemes involves the use of keywords when the marketing campaign is being conceptualized. These are responsible for drawing in crowds that may be looking for your service or product; and when they make up 2% of the content material, then this should suffice to draw in the crowds. </p>
<p>As expected, this is not enough but there are other tools that can be used to bring in clients. As expected, these ought to be coupled with clear goals that the company has set for itself. These goals should be geared towards the target market resulting yet they should be within reach for the establishment.</p>
<p>Once the vision is clearly stated, the company is now able to generate good search engine marketing techniques that will suit their niche market. As an example, where for the adult, the site could contain keywords consciously placed at certain intervals on the page; for the teenager, this same concept does not apply. </p>
<p>For this second group, the site ought to contain less information, more color and moving graphics due to the short attention span of the children and so on. These search engine marketing options work well for certain companies; though for the different consumers, the aggressive nature of the marketing campaign could be varied. </p>
<p>Another element that should be considered in as far as search engine marketing is concerned is the competition. First and foremost, the marketing campaign taken on by an establishment has got to be on the same level with the competitor or on a higher one in order to have the necessary impact. In addition to this, the site has got to be as unique as possible in order to keep consumers coming back; because if it is similar to others in the market, then chances of the traffic reducing are great.</p>
<p>Search engine marketing is an important instrument in the hands of the business owner and when used in conjunction with all the other tools of the trade, then for sure the business will grow and expand as expected.</p>
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		<title>Building Website Traffic through Article Marketing</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/02/article-marketing-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/02/article-marketing-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[traffic]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=154</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the best ways on how to build website traffic is to generate quality articles. Through these exceptionally written articles, you will keep visitor interest at a peak and keep them returning to your website for more. An increase of repeat traffic translates to a bigger possibility of greater profit, and you can therefore [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of the best ways on <strong>how to build website traffic</strong> is to generate quality articles. Through these exceptionally written articles, you will keep visitor interest at a peak and keep them returning to your website for more. An increase of repeat traffic translates to a bigger possibility of greater profit, and you can therefore turn visitor interest into a bigger bottom line for your online business.</p>
<p>For one thing, article writing is one of the easiest forms of <strong>Internet marketing</strong> to take on. Generate articles that are in line with the product or service you are offering based on your niche. Even if you are a total expert, knowledge can be gained through surfing the Internet and reading up on your chosen subject. This will help you gain more knowledge which you can then translate into quality articles.</p>
<p><span id="more-154"></span></p>
<p>This is how the most successful marketers and online entrepreneurs know <strong>how to build website traffic</strong>. Even articles that are only 400 words long, if interestingly written, can hook your target demographic, hook, line, and sinker. You’ll need to ensure they aren’t any longer than 1,500 words, though, as an overly long article can lose you an audience, as well.</p>
<p>One of the reasons articles are so effective is that people who are predominantly in your target demographic are sure to gravitate toward them in their search for their favorite subjects. This translates to your pre-selling them into your way of thinking – which is to steer them to the subject of purchasing the product or service that you are selling.</p>
<p>With an increasing number of readers and subscribers to your articles, you will be gaining more back links from people who are likely to click on the link leading to your site to check out your business. With more back links, you are liable to increase your search engine rankings, which in turn, will lead more people to your website.</p>
<p>It will also be a good idea to have a call of action included in your articles. This call of action can come in the form of an invitation getting your readers to click on the link leading to your site, sign up for a monthly newsletter, or even purchase your product or service outright. Most successful online entrepreneurs who use article marketing include resource boxes at the end of each article where their call to action is contained.</p>
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		<title>Things You Need To Know To Be a Successful Marketer</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/02/to-be-a-successful-marketer/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/02/to-be-a-successful-marketer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:39:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[10 steps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[profitable]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=152</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are wondering how to be a successful marketer, be aware that it is not the easiest thing in the world to do. However, it is easily the most exciting. You will, in effect be starting something wonderful that will earn you a decent means of living. The hard work entailed means that you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are wondering <strong>how to be a successful marketer</strong>, be aware that it is not the easiest thing in the world to do. However, it is easily the most exciting. You will, in effect be starting something wonderful that will earn you a decent means of living. The hard work entailed means that you will have to take in all the details of setting up your <strong>Internet marketing</strong> business, and creating the most effective marketing strategies is ones of the requirements you have to pay attention to.</p>
<p>The secret to <strong>how to be a successful marketer</strong> revolves around a sound marketing strategy. The first thing you need to do is to pinpoint who your target audience is for the products or services you will be promoting. Thorough research is needed to find out which segment of the population will have a demand for your products or services, and if they are likely to purchase them from you. With this information at your fingertips, you will be better able to streamline your advertising efforts to your advantage.</p>
<p><span id="more-152"></span></p>
<p>You will also need to create a marketing plan that includes drawing up a budget. This will allow you to see how much money you actually have to put out for your advertising. More often than not, if you do not have this kind of money to invest, you can still find the ways and means of creating an effective <strong>Internet marketing</strong> strategy without spending a cent.</p>
<p>Bringing the targeted traffic to your site is the goal you need to reach with your <strong>Internet marketing</strong> strategy. One of the ways to do this is to make sure your website link reaches the right people. You can either exchange links with other similar websites, write articles about your niche and submit them to article directories, join forums and groups on the Internet that have particular interest in your sub-market where you can post comments or information containing your linked signature, or make use of social networking sites to gather valuable followers.</p>
<p>While all these methods involve patience and time-consuming hard work, you will be bringing more traffic to your site. More traffic, especially targeted traffic, is beneficial to bringing your <strong>Internet marketing</strong> business to the forefront of awareness.</p>
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		<title>The Basics of Starting an Affiliate Marketing Business</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/02/the-basics-of-starting-an-affiliate-marketing-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2010/02/the-basics-of-starting-an-affiliate-marketing-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:39:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affiliate marketing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=150</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the best benefits of affiliate marketing is starting your own online business without having to produce and come up with your own product or service. If you are a newbie in this business, you will need to know that you are going the right direction in order to begin your affiliate marketing business [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of the best benefits of <strong>affiliate marketing</strong> is starting your own online business without having to produce and come up with your own product or service. If you are a newbie in this business, you will need to know that you are going the right direction in order to begin your <strong>affiliate marketing</strong> business on the right track. There are many things you will need to know before you start promoting the product or service you have chosen.</p>
<p>The very first consideration is to sign up with your chosen affiliate program by filling up the requisite form on the site. Make sure that all the information you put down on form is correct and truthful since a majority of affiliate networks will be sending your commission payments in the form of check to the address that you have filled up in the form. Some programs will require you to include a link to your website, although this is usually an exception rather than the rule. Make sure you go through all the blanks you have filled up in case you have missed anything important.</p>
<p><span id="more-150"></span></p>
<p>Secondly, you will need to create your own affiliate link, double checking to see that it is accurate. A majority of affiliate network utilize cookie technology that works to identify you based on your affiliate link to help them identify which affiliate marketer made which referral. This method makes it easier for them to know which person to send the commission to when customers end up buying a product via the link from your website. On your end, it will also be wise to manually check your affiliate link from time to time to ensure that it leads back to your own website. Clicking on the payment link should bring you to your affiliate ID found either at the top or bottom of the webpage. This vigilance will ensure that you get the commission that is due you for each sale leading from your affiliate link.</p>
<p>The third thing, which is important for your <strong>affiliate marketing</strong> business is to have a website of your own to help you collect loyal subscribers. Part of <strong>Internet marketing</strong> requires you to follow-up with your clients through email, as most of your site’s visitors aren’t likely to buy the product you are promoting straightaway. You will need to get their pertinent contract details so you can continue to follow up with them with the opportunity you are offering. Providing them with good value, such as content and other freebies will enable you to establish a good relationship based on trust, thus securing their loyalty.</p>
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		<title>5 reasons social brands fail</title>
		<link>http://www.im-blog.info/2009/12/5-reasons-social-brands-fail/</link>
		<comments>http://www.im-blog.info/2009/12/5-reasons-social-brands-fail/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:15:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[facebook]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[myspace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social branding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[twitter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[youtube]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.im-blog.info/?p=146</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ever since Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Youtube and the like started being the main social networks where people gather, talk and share ideas and other stuff, it became clear that this “new media” movement will replace the old TV, newspapers, static sites and even blogs that are separated and sort of un-engaged  from the community. So [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ever since Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Youtube and the like started being the main social networks where people gather, talk and share ideas and other stuff, it became clear that this “new media” movement will replace the old TV, newspapers, static sites and even blogs that are separated and sort of un-engaged  from the community.</p>
<p>So everyone from small startups and businesses to big corporations started to search for ways to tap into this new customer and profit source, by hiring social media consultants and creating their own accounts to promote themselves and their products.<span id="more-146"></span></p>
<p>But the new social media is quite different. In this environment, people can easily discern genuine messages and persons (who really care about the others) from simple and quite selfish spam (which includes, for example, products promotion and corporate news on Twitter, Facebook and other networks, which no one cares about, judging by the followers/subscribers count).</p>
<p>So, what are the main reasons why a lot of big and small companies and brands fail on new social media networks?</p>
<p><strong>1.       </strong><strong>They don’t provide value to their followers.</strong></p>
<p>A lot of brands just tweet about their products and give out information about events, sales, etc. The thing is, people don’t really care, whether they like your product or not. How about providing your followers with special discounts, information or events? That wouldn’t be too hard to organize and it would really surprise everyone in a positive way. Plus, a lot more people will join you because of that.</p>
<p><strong>2.       </strong><strong>They do not listen to people and the community.</strong></p>
<p>When people are giving you feedback, you have to accept it, whether good or bad (companies used to pay for that in the past!). But that is not enough! You also must act upon what the community tells you. If everyone is saying that you need a certain feature in your product, you can’t just ignore them and release a new version with that feature still missing. This will make you lose credibility in front of customers, and, on the Internet, it will never be forgotten (anyone doing a quick search for reviews of your product will find those negative opinions and will think thrice before buying it).</p>
<p><strong>3.       </strong><strong>They’re not social.</strong></p>
<p>You can’t be on a “Social Network” and not engage in conversations with people. That’s what it’s all about! Talk, share good and interesting information, be more open and personal, and answer everyone’s questions. If you’re getting a lot of comments or tweets and don’t’ reply, it’ll seem like you don’t care about the brand at all, which will most probably get you off the “Trusted” list of most people.</p>
<p> <strong>4.       </strong><strong>They’re not fun.</strong></p>
<p>A lot of brands are having trouble with this one. Most of them are used to being serious and all business like, but that attitude backfires on them when they try getting into social media. They try to control what they say and do, but that is simply not a good decision, because people will spot it from a mile away. You’ve got to be fun, let people see something interesting, make mistakes, and do other things to show you’re genuine. If you’re scared of being more open, you shouldn’t try to become social.</p>
<p> <strong>5.       </strong><strong>They are selfish.</strong></p>
<p>No one likes people who just join a community to start shouting and boasting about themselves and their products or offers. This will never work when the people make the rules and have choices. They will just turn away and never listen to you again. Don’t just try to make a quick profit, aim for long-term relationships, and provide win-win situations. It is really not that hard. If you are a software company, you could, for example, provide free copies for the first XX people that reply to you, or something similar. This will make those people happy that they are your followers and they will tell everyone about it. Even those who didn’t get the freebie will have a better opinion of you (and most of them will think “I’d better subscribe, who knows, maybe they’ll have something like this in the future”).</p>
<p>That’s it, reread the above points and keep them in mind for when you try to get your brand noticed and popular on social media networks.</p>
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