Please let me tell you about the Internet marketing systems I use and
find helpful. This information may be of some benefit to you, especially if
your goal is to monetize your site or earn an income from your online
marketing.
My name is Titus Hoskins and I own and operate a very modest marketing
website called www.bizwaremagic.com. I have been designing web pages and sites
since 1998. I have an Art/Education background but in the last couple of years
I have been studying online marketing systems and using them.
Yes, studying them, since I have an art background I like to examine
structures and beneath the surface of things in order to gain a clearer
picture. I like to see the whole picture - the big picture. But the underlying
elements behind these complex systems interests me the most. What's beneath the
surface excites me: the structure holding everything in place, how they are
designed, the methods and tools used to make these marketing systems work.
Keep in mind that I still feel a bit funny referring to myself as an
Internet marketer. Last week my marketing efforts made me around a thousand
dollars. I don't know if that qualifies me as an Internet marketer or not -
probably not. Most of the people with whom I associate and have contact, make
that in a day. The really smart ones make that in an hour.
A thousand dollars in one hour?
How is that possible? Well, the marketing experts who earn the big d's -
usually have complex automated marketing systems set up and operating on the
Internet. These systems start with their own products but quickly expand and
build with large opt-in lists or ezines, 1000's of affiliates, large JV
networks, multi-sites, viral marketing, membership forums, brandable ebooks,
online marketing tools/resources and the list goes on...
No doubt you may have stumbled across some of these marketing systems on
the Internet... one of the first I encountered was Internet Marketing Center
run by the late Corey Rudl who died tragically in a car crash at the young age
of 34. I made my first affiliate check through Corey's system and it changed
the way I looked at the Internet forever. And the check was only $5!
What helped me earn that $5 were not only my own efforts but more
importantly the whole marketing system behind IMC. It took an ordinary
webmaster and showed him how to market on the web. It showed me the way. More
importantly, it also taught me that Internet marketing is a skill anyone can
learn.
These marketing systems can be good places for the beginning marketer to
learn those skills. There are many marketing systems quietly working the
Internet. Some of the best (in my opinion) are Ken Evoy's whole Site Sell
system, Marlon Sanders Higher Response Marketing, John Reese's Traffic Secrets,
Bryan Winter's PushButton Publishing, Jeff Mulligan's CBmalls, and Nitro
Marketing.
These Internet marketing systems are all different, yet they all have
common elements or features that make them very effective and powerful
marketing systems. A close examination of the different components or parts
might give you a better understanding of what makes these Internet marketing
systems work.
Here's a list of the different parts of an effective Internet Marketing
system:
o Founder or Helm: All these marketing systems have a strong
leader or founder at the helm. A very vocal and forceful communicator or
spokesperson is needed as a focal point. And like any company, it's only as
good as the person leading it. Because the Internet is still a very 'scary'
place for the average user - a friendly outgoing spokesperson is needed to
break down those barriers (real or imaginary).
o Unique Product or Products: Most of the effective marketing
systems have their own products to market. These can be digital information
products, web building/hosting packages, or even self-contained marketing
systems - or all of the above. Some popular products that come to mind would
include Ken Evoy's whole Site Sell and SiteBuildIt line, or Jeff Mulligan's
CBmalls which promotes the well-known digital download affiliate site
ClickBank.
o Databases or Lists: All these systems collect and keep large
databases or opt-in permission contact lists of customers and potential
customers. The real net value of any marketing system is in the quantity and
more importantly the quality of its lists. All deliver a weekly or daily ezine
or ezines to these lists. Consider these databases as the engines that empower
any Internet marketing system.
o JV Networks: Most have large Joint Venture Networks or contacts
that will kick-start any new product. Momentum and sales are created with these
JV partners. An ideal JV partner is a well-respected online marketer with very
responsive and very large opt-in lists. If databases are like engines, JV
networks will fill those engines with the fuel they need.
o Affiliates: The best marketing systems use 1000's of affiliates
to promote and market their products. This is usually done in-house with their
own affiliate program or onsite software set up. Some use third party affiliate
programs like ClickBank, 1ShoppingCart, Commission Junction, LinkShare, or
Shareasale. This is your ignition.
o AutoResponders: One of the most effective marketing tools these
systems use, autoresponders, are essential for delivering the sales. A series
of follow-up e-mails will increase sales dramatically. Studies have shown that
it takes 6 or 7 follow-ups before someone purchases your product. Consider the
autoresponder as a fuel injection system.
o Tracking and Marketing Resources: All have extensive tracking
and marketing resources, usually located online within a membership site. An
easy to use and accessible tracking system for affiliates is needed. So too are
marketing resources such as banners, links, coupons, graphics, SEO tactics,
landing pages, lead capture pages, brandable reports, articles and ebooks.
Obviously, these are your toolkit.
o Viral Marketing: All great Internet marketing systems use viral
marketing techniques. This can be as simple brandable reports, articles,
software or ebooks. Affiliates can embed their own IDs and pass these viral
products along to their friends and visitors. These useful viral products then
get passed around all over the web - creating links, contacts, buzz and
funneling prospects back to your marketing system. Consider viral marketing
your Turbo Charger.
o Online Forums: Many of the better Internet Marketing systems
will have an online forum where members can network and interact and could
offer workshops and tutorials. This is a vital community building tool that
must not be overlooked or underestimated. It will greatly enhance the
effectiveness of any marketing system, building a foundation and launch pad for
any new products. Online forums are your gas stations.
o Cross Promotion: These marketing systems can become very
complex: promoting programs within programs, cross-networking whole systems
within systems, joint ventures within joint ventures. Marketing seminars,
conventions and workshops are other lucrative features these systems use to
market their products and to network with other marketers. This is your Hybrid
fuel.
o Corporate Blogs: Most have company blogs or a network of
members' blogs. It's important to realize the power of these relatively new
mediums for getting the word out. RSS feeds are also used to syndicate your
sales message and content. That would be your satellite radio.
o Affiliate Incentives: The better marketing systems have
affiliate incentives and contests to motivate their sales force - from cruises
to Ferraris.
o They Pay Their Affiliates On Time: This might seem trivial,
except to the affiliate. The best Internet marketing systems pay their
affiliate regularly and on time. They are trusted and respected by affiliates
and online marketers. This trust has been built up over many years of good
solid business relationships. The best marketing systems are the ones that can
harvest and develop those relationships with thousands or even millions of
affiliates. This is your accelerator.
o Automation: Automation is the one key element that makes all of
the above possible. These Internet marketing systems are automated to the
highest degree possible. Without automation these large marketing networks
could not function. Therefore, almost all the day-to-day operation of a
marketing system is automated and can run smoothly without much work or
maintenance. This is the grease that makes everything run.
o Internet: These marketing systems have taken full advantage of
the World Wide Web and used it to their benefit. It permits global marketing
with affiliates in every country around the world. This large multinational
marketing force is made possible only with the creation of the Internet.
Consider it the glue that connects the whole system.
The computer and the Internet make these whole automated marketing
systems possible. Closely studied and dissected, these systems are complex,
intricate creatures solidly embedded into the Internet and the lives of
millions around the globe. Together it's enabling lifestyles that offer
mobility, freedom and enrichment never before seen this side of a Powerball
win!
When you picture these complex marketing systems, don't think of
computers, databases, autoresponders, and wires. Rather, picture a sun-drenched
tropical beach with a light breeze and a clear blue sky. Picture a person
sitting to one side, checking daily sales stats on a cool sleek shinny laptop.
Don't forget to zoom in close and you will notice a slight smug smile. But
don't stop there, if you stare really hard and think about what you have just
read, you will have a clear view of an Internet marketing system.
