Search Engine Marketing – How and Why?

Here’s an overview of search engine marketing from the perspective of a Greensboro, NC marketing firm. According to Wikipedia, the definition of Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a form of internet marketing that involves the promotion of websites by increasing their visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) through optimization (both on-page and off-page) as well as through advertising (paid placements, contextual advertising, and paid inclusions).1 Depending on the context, SEM can be an umbrella term for various means of marketing a website including search engine optimization (SEO), which adjusts or rewrites website content to achieve a higher ranking in search engine results pages, or it may contrast with pay per click (PPC), focusing on only paid components.2

Due to the many intricate details in the complex technology of search engine marketing, a large number of marketing professionals and business owners do not understand the ever-changing nuances and methodologies so they rely on top ad agencies or marketing consultants for their expertise in managing their search engine marketing.

Spending on paid search has increased more than 20 percent from 2012 and with product listing ads, this will continue to grow. Your website will need to be highly optimized in order to be relevant in organic search or you will need to pay for search ads to target certain keywords and phrases. Mobil spending on paid search has also experienced a huge year with more than a 30% increase in 2012. If your search marketing campaigns are implemented by a professional marketing consultant or a top ad agency, your results with generating leads will be much better and your ROI will be much higher.

Spending on SEO to organically optimize your site will be very important as new surveys have shown increases in effectiveness for Organic SEO to generate leads. Hummingbird is focusing on original content relevant to the products or services so SEO will be very critical in 2014 and beyond. Paid and Social media will certainly generate new leads, but according to the latest surveys, Organic SEO is increasing while PPC has slightly decreased and Social has remained constant. B2B companies are seeing the largest percentage of leads from SEO with PPC and Social Media being quite a bit lower based on percentage of leads generated. The 2011 survey from WebMarketing 123 is available to view via PDF along with the 2012 survey from Web Marketing 123.

There are many areas of search marketing specialty under the main heading of Search Engine Marketing or Search Marketing for short. The sub-categories for branding, conversion, mobile, landing pages, public relations, search term research, ppc, social marketing and blogs are all very important to the overall search marketing category.

When a person is interested in a product or service, they will begin searching or hunting for those items via online sources. It could be found through text, video, or audio components. If they are hunting or searching, this should give you a very good clue that they are somewhere in the buying cycle. It could be driven by a search to fill an immediate need or potentially a future need. Whether captured through a paid or an organic source, these leads are very good quality as you have a captive audience who is already interested in the product or service. Your job is not so much to sell them on the idea of the product or service itself, but to educate and provide information on how your branded product or service can yield value to that consumer. What’s unique about your brand and how can you make their life easier?

Here’s a multitude of reasons why people buy things:

Marketing… (Had to do this one first since we are a marketing firm) Marketing makes you remember brands and it changes product perception. It not only gives the rational view, but also provides the emotional arguments or attachments to draw you in closer. Product design and packaging make the product sexy. Slogans or bi-lines ring in your ears when you think of certain brands. Music attachment with stars or celebs make products more memorable if partnered successfully. Many marketing experts are also very knowledgeable about the psychology of buying. And lastly on the marketing reason, did you really plan to get those snacks at the store, or was it the marketing promotion to buy one and get one free. (BOGO as some reference)

Creatures of Habit… If you go to the movies, will it matter whether the popcorn is piping hot or just luke-warm? In most cases, it will not matter because you will eat the popcorn out of habit whether it’s good or not.

Moods… If you feel good, then you are more likely to reward yourself with nicer things. If you are hungry or have craving, you are more likely to take care of your immediate craving versus putting that craving off for a longer term goal like a diet objective. If you are depressed or sad, you may make an impulsive purchase to try and lift the depression or sadness. If you are mentally exhausted from a long day at the office, you may give in to your kid at the store to get such and such item just to avoid the negotiations or arguments so you can get out of the store faster.

Temptation… Companies want you to try things that make you feel good or try things give you satisfaction. It could be succulent chocolates, a mixed drink, and products attached to your own image such as beauty products to make us look good, trendy watches, or designer clothes.

Impulsivity… If you see a sexy package, your brain receptors may default to reward and then you rationalize to justify the unnecessary purchase. Some people are affected by the advertising and marketing more than others and respond to ads, offers, and promotions because they feel because they are getting a deal, that it justifies the unnecessary purchase. ADHD will certainly make an impact with more product purchasing.

Peer Pressure… You sometimes get products simply because your neighbor has them. The product may not be worth a flip, but you still get it because the Smith’s have it. You see others in the community with certain shoes, clothes, etc. and you get them because others have them first so you can be like them.

The Increasing Rise of Internet Affiliate Marketing Business and Home Base Businesses

Millions of people across the world desire to work for themselves from home. Some of us want to be our own boss because of the flexibility we can gain as a result of working for ourselves. Others are very much attracted to making extra money or more money than what they earn from the 9am – 5 pm normal job, while working for lesser hours. The cost of setting up an offline business can be mind-blowing and breath-taking as compare to setting up an internet affiliate marketing business and an online home business. Only few people can really distinguish the differences cost while.Many people, who do not understand starting an online business or an online home base business involves lesser cost than starting any offline business, are very scared of starting one. Internet affiliate business and home base businesses are increasingly becoming very popular since most people have now realising that the cost for setting up one is minimal or can even cost nothing at all than they ever have thought of. This has led to the increasing rise of internet affiliate marketing business and other online home base businesses. As a result of this rise, this has fetched a fortune to many people. It is now a booming business, yet the market is just too young than you would think.Now the basic essentials for setting up your own home base business are, a computer with an internet connection, a mobile phone or home phone, and a little space in your bedroom or sitting room. Some people will even work sometimes with their top on their bed in their bedroom. Only your laptop with an internet connection will make a complete office for setting up a very big business from home.Affiliate marketing is a big business as it can provides anyone the opportunity of selling products and services to millions of people across the world via the internet. It is a very lucrative business if it is done properly.The starting point is to pick the kind of market, (that is product or services you would be interested in promoting). Ask yourself, is the product or services you have picked a hungry market? Are there many people out there who will be interested in that kind of product / services? If the answer is yes, then you have landed yourself a business and an opportunity to make some good money. If the answer is no, you must not continue with that product or service because that will not make you money. That means you have to research other markets in order to find a hot niche market that will sell like a hot cake or candies.The next thing is to evaluate your skills. Do I have the skill that is required to become successful as an online affiliate marketer, or a home base business owner? If the answer is no, then you have to learn and acquire that knowledge. Like said earlier, it is a very lucrative business / industry, and for that reason it is worth acquiring the right skills for becoming successful.There are ten thousands of already made products ready for anyone to promote them and earn commissions. Hope you have heard of Amazon and eBay affiliate programs, though as a matter of fact the earnings is not much to writing home as compare to some great affiliate networks out there.All the hard work in producing the product has all being done for you. All you have to do is promote, earn commissions and enjoy your life at home with friends and family. Choosing the right niche is the key to succeeding in your new business. Imagine promoting a hot product that pays out $45 per sale. $45 x 500 sales per month will fetch you a fortune of a whopping $22,500 in just one month. There are supper affiliate marketers who will make more than 500 sales in just one day. I know you will doubt this fact but I am going to prove this in just 2 simple ways out of several.The best way of running a sustainable and profitable internet affiliate marketing business or online home base business is by using social media and building a great list. There are some people who have up to 200,000 to 500,000 and even more than 1 million followers on twitter alone. Let us say they intend to promote a product that is paying out a $45 commission per sale. Again, let us say they tweet this product to their 1 million followers and only 1% percent of the followers choose to buy from their affiliate link. That affiliate just made $450,000 from just one tweet (1,000,000 followers x 1% followers buyers = 10,000 followers buyers x $45 commission per sale = $450,000 for tweeting that one particular product). That is a whopping $450,000 and can happen in a day.There are lots of online marketers with an email marketing list of more than 500,000 to more than a million subscribers. You compare that list to the twitter marketing illustration I discussed earlier above and decide for yourself why it is worth to set up an internet affiliate business and an online home base business. Also see for yourself why millions of people across the world are diving into the online industry. This reason has led to the increasing rise of millions of people setting up an internet affiliate marketing Business and an online Home Base Business.

Real Estate Auctions – The New Land Rush

On a sunny afternoon in Florida, an energetic crowd gathers on the lawn of a high end luxury estate. A loud and eager banter between an auctioneer, a group of bidders and bidder assistants fills the air. For several minutes the auctioneer asks for the next highest bid and the bidders respond. Suddenly the bidders grow silent. The high bidder holds his breath in anticipation of winning the auction. The auctioneer calls for one more bid. In a loud clear voice which rolls over the audience he says, “Fair warning, last chance” the auctioneer pauses, “SOLD!” And in less than 10 minutes another multimillion dollar estate has changed owners.

Successful real estate auctions like the one above are happening all over North America and the Caribbean. Recently real estate auctions have been on the rise, the increase in popularity is partly driven by growing inventories and fading buyer confidence. Properties that were selling in weeks using traditional methods are now languishing on the market unable to attract buyers even as seller’s lower prices. Many say the real estate boom is over but savvy buyers and sellers are profiting from real estate auctions.

Real Estate Auctions Work in Up or Down Markets.

Regardless of trends or market cycles, real estate auctions provide an open and transparent process for buyers and sellers. Properly conducted real estate auctions attract ready and willing buyers and motivate them to act now.

The auction method removes the “wait and see” attitude which serves to further depress real estate values. Buyers are always concerned about overpaying. Buyers gain confidence with their purchases at real estate auctions because they can see what others are willing to pay.

When market demand is high and inventories low, real estate auctions can deliver selling prices well above what a willing seller would have accepted in a negotiated private treaty sale. In good selling climates many property owners using traditional real estate methods; negotiating with one buyer at a time, leave thousands of dollars of equity on the table. During up markets real estate auctions are the best way to establish top market price.

Evaluating Your Real Estate for Auction

Not every property or seller for that matter makes a good candidate for auction. First of all sellers must be ready to sell now and for the current market value. Also a real estate auction will not fix problems caused by a downturn in market value of your property, if you owe more than a willing buyer will pay, be prepared to come to closing with your check book.

Properties that do well in real estate auctions have a high uniqueness factor. Ask your self, “What makes my property different from most others?” Maybe you own a resort property or high end luxury home, commercial properties and land do very well at auction. Real estate auctions thrive on uniqueness. If your property is like everyone else’s, the best thing you can do is offer the most competitive price.

Most importantly sellers must be reasonable about setting a minimum bid. A seller must look at the lowest, most current comps and price below that to generate the interest and urgency necessary for a successful real estate auction. Once the auction begins and qualified bidders start competing against one another you can watch the selling price increase.

Locate a Qualified Real Estate Auctioneer

Start by checking with the National Auctioneers Association, the best real estate auctioneers belong to this organization. These real estate auctioneers are well trained and adhere to a standard of practice and a code of ethics. Many attend the annual International Auctioneers Conference where the latest techniques and innovations in the real estate auction industry are presented.

Find out if the company you are interviewing is a full time real estate auction firm. Many real estate agents are getting auction licenses yet have no experience with the auction method of marketing. Conducting a successful real estate auction is nothing like (private treaty) traditional real estate sales. Go with a real estate auction pro.

You’re probably better of with an auction house that specializes in real estate auctions. There are many qualified auctioneers who have generations of experience selling personal property; furniture, dishes, lawn equipment and the occasional rare painting. Selling real estate at auction is a complex matter that should only be attempted by full time experienced real estate auction professionals.

Commissions and fees may vary, sellers must pay all marketing expenses up front and buyers typically pay 10% of the sales price to the auctioneer of which a share goes to participating real estate agents.

Types of Real Estate Auctions

Auctions are effective because they create a seller’s market. Professionally conducted real estate auctions create urgency, a reason to buy today and competition for the property. Terms and conditions of sale are established ahead of the auction. Real estate auctions will follow one of these three approaches:

Absolute Auction

The property is sold to the highest bidder regardless of price- using this process often returns the highest sale price.

Minimum Bid Auction

Seller agrees to sell at or above a published minimum bid price – this method is useful for internet auctions.

Seller Confirmation or Reserve Auction

With a reserve auction, the seller “reserves” the right to accept or decline any bids usually within 48 hours of the auction. Reserve auctions are used when there is a lien on the property from a lender or a court ordered sale with a minimum selling price.