Online Marketing Trends for 2009

2009 is likely to be a challenging year for many businesses as the global economic slowdown takes hold. Digital marketing, however, looks set to continue its rapid growth, as its many solutions and advantages become even more apparent when marketing budgets are subjected to even greater constraints.

Here are 16 important online marketing trends for 2009 as we see them, along with our view on the best strategies.

You can get more details on each of the trends below at StrangeCorp.com

- Keyword inflation will continue

- Conversion optimism will be key

- Consumer thrift will shape online behavior

- Great creative will be required

- Internet Explorer 8 will affect online advertising

- CPA (cost per action/ acquisition) will become more widely negotiated

- Data privacy and security will stay in the headlines

- Qualitative analysis will have greater emphasis

- Mobile advertising will flourish

- Local search localised services will grow

- RSS newsfeed will go mainstream

- More user behavior metrics will be applied to the Google algorithm

- Netbooks will impact web design

- User generated content (UGC) will be king

- Social media opportunities will expand

- APIs and mashups could be the next big thing

Create ONE Remarkable Marketing Message for Consistency, Clarity and Results

What’s the first thing that pops into your mind with the mention of the word marketing? Do you get excited about all of the possibilities…or do you freeze at the thought of developing strategies and tactics?
90 percent of small business owners do not have a marketing plan, yet most know that it takes seven to 10 impressions to make an impact and inspire a prospect to take action. Repetition is critical, but what is the best way to proceed?
The surefire way to ensure success is to pre-determine your marketing and the action required to reach seven to 10 impressions. Here are 7 strategies to focus your efforts:

1) Be Remarkable. Identify your goals, your strengths, and your target audience.

2) Maximize word of mouth. When you have a business identity that inspires, fascinates, engages and rewards customers and employees, you are going to be talked about.

3) Free Media. There's a great big world of media available online and off, and a lot of it is free. If you provide newsworthy information, your news releases will be published or aired.

4) Knock your socks off service. Be sure you are delivering unbelievably great service under every circumstance.

5) Get in the Limelight. One of the best ways to spread your ONE marketing message is to speak to organizations, associations, clubs, and radio audiences.

6) Collaborate. Research shows that working with others increases productivity, motivation and results.

7) Hire a marketing coach. If you are stuck, it may be that you are overwhelmed, at "a fork in the road" and unsure of your next step. Enlist support.

While there are many more ways to guarantee you will make an impact, these seven strategies will get you started with a solid foundation for strengthening your ONE marketing message. Be sure to put it all on paper so you have a map guiding your efforts and ensuring that you focus on the ONE quality that sets you apart from your competition and makes you truly remarkable in the eyes of your customers and prospects.

Be consistent. Be clear. Be ready to skyrocket results.

Article by Leslie Hamp, Certified Marketing Spitfire
For more information on article visit http://www.gmarketingblog.com/

Top Search Engines...Latest News!

It's hard to keep up with all of the changes that are constantly going on with the internet, but Sage Island Inc. shared some updates about the top search engines that I thought I would pass on.

Representatives from the top search engines attended PubCon this month, where they unveiled an exciting list of new features, products and updates. Here's a rundown of some of the most interesting updates:

Google
- Google launched Google Flu Trends, which tracks the number of flu-related searches being performed in order to accurately predict the spread of influenza. This is just one of many uses for Google Trends.

- Gmail now offers voice and video chat.

- For iPhone users, Google announced a new application for hands-free voice search.

- Google Ad Planner is now available to all Google account holders with a number of new features.

- Google also announced the publication of their Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide with tips and tricks for basic SEO, as well as an upgrade to their Site Search tool, which allows custom search within a specific site.

Yahoo
- Yahoo discontinued its site search tool, Yahoo Search Builder.

- Yahoo also announced upgrades to its open developer platform, SearchMonkey, including a gallery of new applications that are being tested. Local search applications Citysearch and Zagat are now available for developers.

- Yahoo’s search suggestion tool, Search Assist, is now available on for use with Firefox, Internet Explorer, and mobile devices.

Microsoft Live Search
- Microsoft Live Search announced a new API as part of what they’re calling Project Silk Road. These new tools and services will allow publishers and Web developers to “generate traffic, increase engagement … drive insight, and boost productivity and agility” on their sites.

- Live Search Video’s browsing capabilities were updated to include filtering by category, popularity, duration, aspect ratio, resolution, and more.

- Microsoft also announced a deal with Sun Microsystems that will expand the reach oxf Live Search through distribution of the MSN Toolbar with Sun’s Java Runtime Environment.

Need help updating your Online Social Networks?

If you have multiple social networking sites you are trying to keep up with, it does not have to take a lot of time. If you go to this site, http://ping.fm/ it is a free service that will help you keep all of your social networks up to date. All you need to do is log in to Ping.fm and enter in your updates and it will submit them automatically to the social networks you ask it to such as, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc...

Remember, social networking keeps you linked in with your real estate peers and helps you stay on top of the latest trends in your industry, so it's important to keep your information fresh.