Making money using the Internet is no different in many respects to marketing done by “brick and mortar” businesses.  The prime goal of each is to sell as much of their product or service as they possibly can.  Brick and mortar stores or businesses rely on advertising–primarily “hard copy” via magazine and newsprint . . . they also utilize the airwaves with radio and television ads.  Their complete focus is to entice potential customers or clients to buy or use their service over others.  This is simple Marketing 101.

The real key to brick and mortar business’s  success, is getting REPEAT customers.  The cost of getting someone to return to purchase more products or services costs little or nothing if they have done their marketing correctly.

What can you learn from them?  There are some similarities with brick and mortar businesses and your Internet business, and there are some unique differences.  What are the similarities and differences  you can capitalize on?

SIMILARITIES:

• Customers – each business model has customers.  Both can, and should gather information from customers to keep in touch with them–some more so than others.
• Potential customers – or “Looky Lou’s” should be solicited for information to keep in touch  for future sales potential.
• Ability to offer “Free” enticements – is a possibility, but may not be the most optimum forum to use.
• Ask for referrals – can and should be used by each business model.
• Buying lists – again not necessarily the most judicious use of advertising resources.  Getting focused niche compiled  lists with proven, or even guaranteed response returns can be difficult and expensive.

DIFFERENCES (Advantages):

• Benefit from website browsers (Looky Lou’s) -  your product or service information is readily available on the website.  The browser can review as much or as little as they choose at their convenience.   Opt in requests allow them to provide the information they need to provide you in order to be on your ” email mailing” list.  When they opt in there is an applied assumption they have some interest in what you have to offer–perhaps more so in the future.  The cost to stay in touch via emails, newsletters, etc. is negligible  In addition, it take between 6 and 8 contacts before a sale may take place.  You have to building a relationship of trust.
• Promoting goodwill – your website alone can create goodwill just from providing continuous, valid and beneficial content in the form of articles and information visitors can review at their leisure.
• Your market place is global – where most brick and mortar businesses are more local or regional in scope.
• Websites can be instructional – with videos, articles, ezines and ebooks.  Teaching and training visitors to your site with the full extent of the benefits you and your product or service offer can be very beneficial.

The benefits of having a client/prospect list is critical to help maximizing your websites full financial potential.  Creating and utilizing a client/prospect list allows you to capitalize on the efforts you have spent in creating, maintaining and marketing your website . . . for current and future profits.  The more you can “squeeze” from your earnest efforts the better off you are.

See our article: Opt-in Mailing List for more information and benefits for creating and maintaining a website mailing list.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 10:01 am and is filed under Tools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.