The Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet Marketing

If you are looking at advertising your business then internet marketing is definitely the way forward. However there are a number of factors that you should consider before taking the plunge!

These days nearly all businesses will have some kind if internet marketing as it is fast becoming the most popular way to keep in touch with people. However the truth is that it is not always as simple as people may first think and it requires a lot of planning to make it successful. For example you need to make sure that you have realistic expectations regarding what you wish to achieve and then plan how you can meet these. One of the benefits to internet marketing is that it is a powerful tool and can really help put you on level ground with some of the larger businesses that are around.

1. Advantages

One of the main benefits to internet marketing and being online is that information about your business and any online shop you may have is available 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. It also means that customers from all over the world and not just locally can see what it is you do.

Internet marketing can be incredibly cost effective as the cost of sending emails is virtually nothing when you consider the quantity you can send. This will work out much cheaper then sending newsletters by post!

Another advantage is that you can update the subscribers that you have immediately via email. Any visitors that click on to your website will also have the most up-to-date news and offers; providing of course that you take the time to update this regularly!

2. Disadvantages

Of course online marketing is not completely free and you will need to factor in the cost of software, hardware, and designing and maintaining your website. The more of this you can do yourself the cheaper it will be.

Not everyone will want to buy online or for that matter will have a computer so you will still need to pay care and attention to other forms of offline marketing.

There is a great deal of competition within the business world and especially during the current economic climate. You will therefore need to make sure that all of your internet marketing such as websites, adverts etc all rank highly in searches. To help you with your internet marketing an internet marketing consultant will be able to provide the resource and assistance you need.

How to Target your Marketing at the Right People

Marketing can be incredibly effective provided that you are targeting the right people. This short article will give you a few ideas on what you should consider before you get started.

When you are considering how to tackle the marketing for your business venture it can be a good idea to take a look at a number of different areas before deciding which is most suitable. You really need to have a good idea what it is you want to achieve as well as working out who exactly your target market will be. Whether you choose to carry out your marketing online or offline the rules in general will remain the same.

Different Marketing areas

Demographics
The first area that you need to consider is your demographic, which could be for example by age or gender. Consider what it is you sell or do and who would most likely need your products or services. For example if you create and sell items for the baby market then most of your marketing will likely be at females of a certain age rather then those who do not fit within the major age group for having children. Similarly you should understand the lifecycle of a person which indicates that consumers will often require different products or services depending on the stage of life they are at.

Interests
One important area to consider depending on your line of business is aiming your marketing at the correct job sector. If for example your line of business involves building or selling items related to a specific trade line of work then you will only need to contact people who are going to have an interest in what you have to offer. Sending out marketing regarding cheap building materials will be of no interest to someone that works in an office for example. It is also worth considering if your area of business could be considered a speciality and if so targeting your marketing just at those who will have an interest in this.

By adhering to these rules it will mean that your marketing is much more effective and gets to those who will be most interested. It can also help to save you time and money that may have been wasted targeting those of the wrong age group etc. Advice can be sort from marketing consultants who will be able to advise you.

Simple Tips to Improve your Organisational Skills

Running your own business can be time consuming and it can be all too easy to forget commitments. This short article gives you a few tips on the areas you should focus on to make your business a success.

In order to run a successful business it is vital that you are always organised otherwise you could find yourself unsure of what you need to do and missing deadlines. It will also mean that you have greater control of your marketing and advertising to help generate work.

1. Organise your Paperwork

Make sure that your files and your filing system are up to date and where they should be to make finding invoices and job information much simpler. Should you find yourself with a lot of files then you may find that implementing some kind of colour code system may help you to find them easier. Keep all of your marketing paperwork together and updated and make sure that you look through it regularly to make sure that you are offering deals and promotions regularly to attract new custom.

2. Creating Lists

You may not be a big fan of lists but the truth is they can really help to keep you on tract and ensure that all tasks are completed on time. It can be all too easy to forget a task that you needed to do so making a list regularly, be it each morning or each week can help. Be sure to add your marketing onto your list regularly to make sure that you keep on top of adverts etc You might even find that ticking off completed tasks is quite satisfying and that it provides you with the motivation to keep going.

3. Organise your calendar

Having a calendar is vital, especially if you have a lot of commitments or a tendency to forget a deadline or meeting. Make sure that you keep it up to date as soon as you get a new appointment or deadline and set yourself a reminder if you are using your phone or computer. This helps to reduce the chance of being under prepared and allows you to make the best of your business. You could even include updates for marketing to make sure that you keep on top of this important task.

Running Your Own Small Business Franchise

Running a small franchise can be a great way to have your own business but with a little extra security. However it is worth being aware of some of the pros and cons to this type of business.

For those who have decided that they would like a home business or would just like a new business venture, you may find that setting up a small business franchise could be the answer.

It is however worth bearing in mind that with any type of business there are pros and cons and you need to make sure that you handle your marketing well. Be aware though that not everyone is suited to running a small business and you can never be guaranteed of its success, so choose something that interests you and that you will be good at. You should make sure that you always investigate the market thoroughly first to ensure that there is a demand for what you will be offering and minimal competition.

1 The Positives

Often with a franchise business you will be able to begin trading with a short turnaround time although this will depend upon the nature of the business. You should also find that if you have selected a name that is well known this may give you a good head start. The marketing will in many cases be organised and run by the franchise themselves which may include promotions, discounts etc. If you require a supplier for regular deliveries and good deals then being part of a franchise could help finding someone much easier as you have the reputation of the franchise to rely on.


2 The Negatives

Perhaps one of the main problems with this is that you may not have ultimate control of the business and will often need to meet the rules and regulations given to you by the franchise. It is also worth bearing in mind that you will need to give a percentage amount of your sales over to the franchise which means if you struggle one month you may not make a huge profit.

Should you decide that perhaps the business is not for you and is not as successful as you would have hoped, you could find that you have been tied into an agreement and will need to work this before you are able to leave. As far as marketing is concerned you will not be able to have much say in the types of deals or promotions on offer which can be a problem for some people.Choosing the right franchise business which suits you is key. Help from a business consultant could help define the right choice.
You can also find more information and ideas on my marketing ideas blog.