November 16, 2010 at 2:36 pm
By Janette Leon-Speyer, Web Success Team
What does being “latino” mean?
I was reading an article in Clickz the other day titled the “Paradox of being Latino” by Gustavo Razzetti, in which he addresses the subject of being “tagged” a Latino.
I was born in Britain and raised in Venezuela. Since moving to the United States of America and becoming a citizen in 1987, I have always felt that I never really was part of the “American” culture because of these “tags.” Now, as an online marketer I fully understand and appreciate the value of having to “generalize” a group of individuals to better market your products.
Continue reading “Social Media Breaks Down Latino Stereotypes” »
September 23, 2010 at 5:23 pm
By Janette Speyer, Web Success Team
A common mistake we all make is to think that the web is free or that we can do it ourselves. I have been more than guilty of this myself! However, I have learned the hard way that I have to “work AT my business and not IN my business.”
Advertising was once only available to corporations with a budget and basically unaffordable to many. With the advent of online marketing we are now finding that there are many new options available to entrepreneurs and businesses.
Continue reading “Shoestring Budget… Quick Fixes!” »
By Bob Speyer, Web Success Team
You are getting thousands of hits but no conversions. Why? You have done your homework, your website is up and running, and your site has been thoroughly optimized for search (SEO) and marketing (SEM). Here is why:
Confusion Leads to Desertion
First, you have to rethink how you do business online. An effective website is one that entices and motivates the viewer into taking action. It’s not about the “wow” factor. It’s about getting them to respond. The messages have to be clear, simple and direct(ed). If you have so much information, the visitor won’t grasp anything. Confusion leads to desertion (of your website).
Continue reading “How to Motivate Visitors to Take Action on Your Website” »
By Bob Speyer, Web Success Team
Everyone wants to increase their social media followers quickly. Here’s a novel way to broaden your reach through a Facebook Fan Exchange championed by online marketer Michelle Hummel. It’s simple, innovative and most importantly stays true to the Social Media Mantra, “Give to Get.” Michele has used LinkedIn to promote this marketing concept. In only four months, Michelle has gone from 60 Facebook friends to just under 2,000 fans by promoting the Facebook Fan Exchange through 5 to 7 select LinkedIn groups.
How It Works: I Become a Fan, You Become a Fan
The strategy is very simple. First you join a LinkedIn Discussion Group, for example: Innovative Marketing, PR, Sales, Word-of-Mouth & Buzz Innovators. Of course, the more groups you join and implement this strategy, the more fans you will corral. Then you follow these simple instructions:
- Continue reading “Facebook Fan Exchange to Target and Grow Your Followers” »
February 17, 2010 at 6:36 pm
By Bob Speyer and Kristin Tomlinson – Web Success Team
SEO certification is one of the hottest topics among online marketers. It is one of the most controversial and misunderstood because there is no consensus on a uniform certification. Universities offer courses and certification, private industries have their own certification and even Google has entered the fray. What is certain is the growing demand to optimize a website for optimum search performance.
Continue reading “Thoughts on SEO Certification and What it Means” »
February 9, 2010 at 4:13 pm
by Bob Speyer, Web Success Team
The human mind is a remarkable thing, but it can also be fooled. Everyday, whether we want to or not, we are bombarded by advertisements and marketing in magazines, on TV, radio, billboards, etc. Almost everywhere we look, we see ads and brands telling us what we need, adding to our own views and preferences even creating a placebo effect.
Perception Is in the Eye of the Beholder
Stan Reents, PharmD writes in his article “Don’t Underestimate the Power of Suggestion” about how placebos affect the human mind in various studies. One example was a taste test study on different types of vodka. The subjects were asked what their favorite vodka was before the test. However, the results showed that many rated their favorites poorly. Why did they insist that one brand of vodka was their favorite when their taste buds said differently? The answer can be said in two words: brand loyalty.
Brand loyalty is when a consumer buys and continues to buy a specific brand, because he or she believes the product’s features are better. This can be done either consciously or unconsciously. This explains why some people in the above study preferred certain brands of vodka over others despite their liking to them. Those brands favored must have had the right images, features and prices to create a higher perceived level of quality.
Establishing Your Own Online Identity
Creating an online brand will give consumers an image of your company and add interest to your products and/or services. The job of an online marketer is to try to break the habits of the consumers that buy your competitor’s products by offering something fresh, new and better. If you suggest that your product is better, it puts the possibility out there.
Now I’m not advocating lying to potential consumers or offering products and services that are of poor quality. The idea is to sell the best quality that you can offer and to market a specific image in order to attract potential clients.
You want to distinguish your brand from your competitors but in an interesting, positive, and memorable way in order to leave consumers wondering if they should give your products and/or services a chance. Once you have a clear and strong brand image, your products and/or services become something more, a brand. They stop being items and start being something better, different and not something that can be imitated.
Momentum Marketing
Having established a branding, you now need to deliver your message online and keep the momentum going. Obviously your website is “brand central” but you still need to actively promote your brand through direct response marketing and the various social media network marketing channels like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube. Also you need to support your brand by blogging and article marketing where you can write and post informative content that positions you as an expert in your field. Set a realistic budget for marketing and promotions. If done correctly, it will be well worth the return on investment and move you closer to web success.
The Web Success Team specializes in developing and marketing direct response websites that take full advantage of the latest developments on the Internet. The Team has an arsenal of effective web strategies, online marketing tools and proven customized social media techniques to promote your products and services. And we’ll show you ways to increase the amount of qualified traffic to your site.
For more tips, tools and articles of interest, become a fan of the WebSuccessTeam Facebook page and learn more about online marketing, SEO and social media. Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/WebSuccessTeam. Contact the Team today for a complimentary consultation to your web success!
