Posted January 11th, 2011

Escape From Manic Marketing: Develop an Internet Marketing Plan for Your Online Business

2011 is the Year of the Plan! Too many online business owners are floundering in the winds of effective internet marketing. They are so many people with valuable solutions to provide but because they are enamored with the bells, whistles and promises of technologies and gurus, most simply fade into the background and become internet wallpaper.

The first thing new and stuck webpreneurs have to understand is, many web moguls we admire hopped on the internet marketing train in its infancy and were able to make a lot of money simply by being first movers in their markets. However, over the last few years the internet marketing field has exploded and many webpreneurs are struggling to carve out a place for their brand message can be heard and received. The problem is, most of them are simply “copycat marketing” instead of practicing only those strategies that work best for their target audience.

Perhaps the biggest problem I’ve observed as an online business manager is the lack of planning that goes into many online businesses. You can have the best business coach in the world and come away with confidence and ideas to get your business in profitable order. But, if you don’t have a plan that anchors you and maps out your direction, you will spin your wheels and get nowhere fast!

If you find yourself lost in the pack, here are 4 ways to use a marketing plan to rock your online business to profitable recognition this year.

Step 1: Create a marketing plan for your online presence.

The first think you need to do is invest in getting a marketing plan done. There are a few ways to do this. If you are the Do-It-Yourself type, the Marketing Plan Pro, Powered by  John Jantsch’s Duct Tape Marketing , is an excellent solution for you.  It’s not only inexpensive, but it offers step by step guidance and examples on how to get a plan done quickly and start executing. Another way to approach this is to find a coach or consultant who specializes in creating marketing plans. You might want to try your local chamber of commerce. Many offer free or discounted business planning and development resources to members and non members.

Step 2:  Activate Your Marketing Magic.

Once you have your plan done, it’s time to start putting it into action. If you are strapped for resources, try using the Duct Tape Marketing principles to gain momentum until you can hire additional resources to get you moving faster. Another option is to hire a virtual assistant or online business manager to execute your plan. When you have a marketing plan in place, it helps your team and you move in sync. Without a plan, you may find that you are operating in a space of “hit-or-miss” that will inevitably land you in manic marketing trouble.

Step 3:  Work It.

Once you have a plan in place and have identified resources for helping you implement it. Now, it’s time for you to work what you’ve got! Don’t aim for perfect execution, especially if you have limited help resources. Aim instead for a slow and steady approach, finding the rhythm that works for your current goals and resources.

Step 4:  Measure.

Of course no marketing plan or strategy would be complete without measuring your efforts. It doesn’t have to be complicated at this point. Don’t get paralyzed by trying to create an elaborate spreadsheets. Start by simply visiting weekly or monthly, those places where you are focusing your marketing energy. Got an ezine? How many people are subscribing, un-subscribing and opening your eZine? Use Google Analytics to track how many site visits you get and analyze how the traffic is translating into sales. Start with what’s the least overwhelming and work your way up to tracking everything. The key is to develop the consistency and the system and build growth upon.

This article highlights simple steps you can take to insure the viability of your online success against manic marketing mayhem! Next, we’re going to take a look at how creating a marketing calendar will help make your new marketing makeover easy.

Posted January 4th, 2011

Escape from Manic Marketing Series

Is this You?

You’ve spent thousands of dollars on live events and coaching programs that teach you the ins and outs of Internet Marketing. Your brain overfloweth with knowledge. You know what to do, you just cant figure out how to fit the puzzle pieces together to effect. You and your team seem to always be in a crunch to get things out and to your dismay you can never attract the interest you desire. In fact, instead of getting clients and profits you are getting more frustrated and frightened that this isn’t going to work.

Back Away from the Panic Button

Many  online business owners panic when sales are slow or the bank account is low and decide to jump into some sort of marketing binge. However, these  efforts rarely work, not as a long term strategy at least. The key to escaping the manic marketing trap is to convert your actions into a regular program of activity.

The Myth of the Magic Marketing Pill

I think by now we know that there is no magic pill or one size fits all solution to marketing your business successful.  What is proven is that if you move with laser focus on your marketing activities consistently, you will gain more control over your marketing and be able to identify what strategies are working and which aren’t.

In this article series, we’re going to explore the pitfalls of what I call “manic marketing” and highlight some specific things to do to become more proactive instead of reactive in your marketing efforts.

In the next article I’m going to discuss how creating a marketing plan will give you the most powerful tool you’ll need to escape from your manic marketing madness.

For now, download this free Escape From Manic Marketing Checklist to help you get started with moving your marketing means to a profitable end.

http://bit.ly/escapefrommmchecklist