Use three quick and easy steps (plus a few secret SEO & marketing hacks) to research competitors online, learn what they are doing to succeed an
SME Pals is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
Online marketing explained with cows
It can be a challenge, especially if you're new to the game, understanding what marketing jargon means. Inevitably you end up having to go and find some definitions to help keep track of what everyone is going on about.
So if online marketing is a scary and unfamiliar world, with danger everywhere, like this:
Then it's time to see how our bovine friends can help clarify what the marketing world is on about.
Social marketing
You have a cow.
You share a clip of it chasing a friend on FaceBook.
Everyone wants to meet your cow.
Social influence
You have a cow.
A reporter interviews you about it.
People start asking you about cows.
Affiliate marketing
Your neighbour has a cow.
You tell your friends about it.
He shares some of its milk with you.
Traffic
You have a cow.
You put it on the side of the road.
People stop to look at it.
Spam
You have a cow.
You put it in the middle of the road, stopping traffic.
A few people buy some viagra from you; so you put more cows in the road.
SEO
You have a cow.
You put up a road sign with "Cow" in the title.
Passers by stop to look at the sign; you sell them milk.
Content
You have a cow.
You write about it.
Your cow gets covered in the news.
Advertising
You and your neighbour each have a cow.
You both put signs up to advertise them.
You pay a premium to move your sign directly in front of the neighbour's.
ROI (Return On Investment)
You have a cow.
You pay $50 to dye it pink.
People buy tickets to see your cow; you earn $1000.
Conversions
You have a cow.
You spread the word that it is amazing.
People pay to look at it.
Fake it 'til you make it
You tell everyone you have a cow.
You don't.
Enough people buy tickets to see your cow that you are able to buy one.
Reality
You have a cow.
No-one cares.
Hopefully with those common marketing terms nicely explained, the world of marketing is much more friendly, like this:
But, if you still don't understand online marketing, take a look at our DIY marketing page that is full of useful tips and information to get you up and running like a pro in no time.
The first time I started an online business I spent the vast majority of my time actually creating the service.
Content fatigue, when it comes to finding innovative and creative marketing advice, is becoming a serious time burglar for me.
Competition in the world of online marketing is fierce - I mean really fierce - making it vital to choose the best possible marketing strategy to deliver sus
Imagine you could hire a Jedi to sell your products and reach out to new people using their famous mindtricks. Seems almost unfair, right?
Social media marketing is one of those things that most entrepreneurs and small business owners wonder if they really need.
In general, my answer is yes, but I need to qualify that by saying that the amount of time, effort and cash you invest must be proportional to the returns you want (and can realistically achieve).
I serve on the board of a wonderful not-for-profit, registered charity, and we have utilized the tools and technologies provided by the Web, and in particular, social media, to drive visibility, engagement, and awareness that would simply be out of reach otherwise.
Having a great product or service is simply not enough to enjoy strong sales (especially online), which is why it is crucial to build strong relationships with other organizations.
But recognizing that your enterprise can succeed or fail depending on the quality and quantity of the business relationships around you is one thing - finding and nurturing those partnerships is another thing entirely.
This article highlights three techniques that have proven themselves to be invaluable when it comes to ensuring that your company is constantly growing a powerful network of allies.
Everyone knows that in order to make more money online you either have to increase the volumes of website traffic, or increase conversion rates (or both
Every company in the world is obsessed with marketing and sales - trying desperately to get in front of potential clients, gain visibility, join the conversa
Coming up with marketing ideas for small business can be a challenge.
Any company that outsources their customer service is being silly, and are inviting competitors to swoop in and pilfer their client base.
Customer service is one of the few real opportunities you have to forge a solid relationship with people. Why on earth would you want to hand it over to someone else (who hides you from the people that sustain your business)?
And while handling customer complaints and queries can seem like a chore, it can be converted into one of the most powerful marketing strategies available to you.
Here's the thing about moving traditional customers online; you have to find innovative marketing strategies and ideas to get them to migrate.
